The Publicity Hound’s
Tips of the Week
Issue #505 May 18, 2010
Publisher: Joan Stewart
==========================================
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
===================================
In This Issue
===================================
1. Why You Shouldn’t Quit Facebook
2. Questions the Media Love
3. How Survey Publicity Snowballs
4. Story Ideas for June
5. Hound Joke of the Week
6. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
1. Why You Shouldn’t Quit Facebook
====================================
A lot of angry Facebook users are abandoning the site and urging
their friends to bolt, too, because of its confusing privacy
policies.
You have to navigate through 50 settings with more than 170
options. By default, Facebook can share your profile information
with third-party sites, and if you don’t want that, you have to
opt out. Many users think that’s deceptive and that it should be
the other way around.
I won’t abandon Facebook, where I’ve managed to attract more than
5,000 friends and fans–at least not yet.
With enough pressure, Facebook might alter its policy and reach
some kind of compromise that won’t necessarily placate users, but
will at least encourage them to refrain from jumping ship.
Already, the marketplace is stepping in. ConnectInPrivate.com,
developer of a comprehensive suite of anonymous surfing and
Internet privacy tools, will soon announce the launch of its new
“Secure My Profile” application for Facebook.
Hang in there a little while longer and let’s see how this plays
out. In the meantime, check out this two-minute video that
explains how to adjust your privacy settings:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/13/facebook-privacy-
settings_n_575732.html
Now, use the site to its greatest advantage. See “11 Ways to
Avoid Missed Opportunities on Facebook” at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/how_to_use_facebook.htm
====================================
2. Questions the Media Love
====================================
The next time a journalist interviews you, or a blogger is
interested in an idea you’re pitching, ask this question: “Do you
need other sources?”
They love that question. It shows you’re trying to make their job
easy and you don’t want to hog the media spotlight. If you can
provide a name, email address and phone number for an expert or
source who you know would agree to be interviewed, you’ll
position yourself as helpful.
After 22 years working at newspapers, I can tell you that almost
NOBODY asks that.
Here’s another question that people almost never ask: “Are you
looking for photo ideas?”
Those two questions are among 10 magic phrases to use with the
media. I’ll explain all of them when I present the 90-minute
webinar, “How to REALLY Use Publicity as an Online Marketing
Channel and ZIG When Everyone Else is ZAGGING,” from 1:30 to 3
p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, May 19.
This session is perfect for beginner and intermediate self-
promoters. I presented it a few weeks ago to Stompernet, the
association of Internet marketers, to rave reviews.
Come with your questions and I’ll answer them all, either during
or after the call.
I’ll also explain the missing link–how to create relationships
with journalists and bloggers. And I’ll share my favorite free
tools that help you know instantly which journalists need other
sources in addition to your expertise, and how to contact them.
The session will be recorded, and you can watch the video replay
after the call.
Register at http://publicityhound.com/onlinepublicitytips.htm
=====================================
3. How Survey Publicity Snowballs
=====================================
Two weeks ago, I wrote about Brian Kluth, a former church pastor
who takes an annual “State of the Plate” survey that reports on
whether people are donating more or less money to their churches.
More than 160 media outlets covered the results of his most
recent survey.
Jeanne Hurlbert, my business partner who is an expert on surveys,
interviewed Brian. He explained how he got an initial story on
the front page of the Washington Times, how it snowballed from
there, the simple way he found names of religion editors, and how
he partnered with Christianity Today magazine.
This is great stuff for anybody who wants to use inexpensive
surveys to position themselves as experts, call attention to
emerging trends and build strong relationships with the media.
The best part is that Brian now has names and contact information
for 160 journalists and broadcasters who are interested in his
topic.
Jeanne is offering the free download of the half-hour interview
at http://mixiv.com/vp/47965/18826 How about sharing it with your
Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn friends?
======================================
4. Story Ideas for June
======================================
Here are five story ideas worth pitching during June:
–Speakers, authors and experts: Do you have advice for college
graduates? Offer tips on careers, finances and relationships.
–What about advice for newlyweds? Mortgage lenders, marriage
counselors and professional organizers, offer your best tips for
getting started on the right foot.
–Gardening is booming. How can people use small spaces to grow
veggies and save on grocery bills?
–What kind of summer clothing is unacceptable in the workplace?
Image consultants and HR experts, share your horror stories.
–Tell people how to save on summer travel. Share tips on saving
gasoline, buying cheap airline tickets and finding inexpensive
lodging.
Now, look ahead and start thinking about ideas you can pitch in
July and beyond. Shawne Duperon and I can help. We recorded the
teleseminar I hosted on “103 Sizzling Story Ideas from July
through December.” It includes a handout listing all of our
ideas, which we invite you to steal. Learn more at
http://publicityhound.com/publicity-products/marketing-
tapes/JulyIdeas.htm
=====================================
5. Hound Joke of the Week
=====================================
Thanks to Publicity Hound Maria Antonia for pointing out this
excerpt from the book “Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and
Light” that explains how Hitchcock directed Sean Connery on the
set of Marnie:
“Every once in a while the director did venture minor
‘adjustments and suggestions’ (Connery’s words) in the rhythm of
scenes–which, according to one Connery biographer, largely
consisted of advising the actor to shut his mouth while listening
for his cues, and inserting ‘dog’s feet’ into his lengthier
speeches.
“Dog’s feet?” asked a mystified Connery.
“Pawses,” Hitchcock drawled.
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes,
perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few
good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50
best websites for dog humor.
http://publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
====================================
6. And at My Blogs & Mobile Site…
====================================
Consider retweeting:
Calculate the value of your Facebook Fan Page
http://publicityhound.net/calculate-the-value-of-your-facebook-
fan-page/
Fiction authors: Blog about these 19 topics
http://publicityhound.net/fiction-authors-blog-about-these-19-
topics/
9 ways chambers of commerce can use social media
http://www.mysocialmediasolution.com/9-ways-chambers-of-commerce-
can-use-social-media/
———————————————
Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/PublicityHound
Join my Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/publicitytips
Connect with me on LinkedIn (and tell me how we know each other):
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publicityhound
================================================
Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound
Share Your Two Cents