The Publicity Hound’s Blog  

There’s an interesting discussion under way at Chris Knight’s blog at EzineArticles.com about how far experts should go to flaunt their expertise in articles they’re writing.

You’ll see my comment there. I said that I don’t hesitate to let the world know I’m an expert. In fact, the positioning statement on the homepage at my website begins:

“Publicity expert Joan Stewart shows you how to use the media to establish your credibility, enhance your reputation, position yourself as an expert, sell more products and services, promote a favorite cause or issue, and position your company as an employer of choice.”

The phrase “publicity expert” is right up there are the top of the page and in the front of the sentence, waiting to be found by the search engines when somebody searches for a “publicity expert.” As a result, I’m usually Number One on the organic search list. 

But don’t call yourself an expert if you aren’t.

How do you know? Read “The Expertise Imperative,” a free 12-page White Paper written by a committee of the National Speakers Association. It defines the 10 levels of expertise and explains what you need to do or what you need to know to be an expert at each level.

Posted In: Business Promotion, Publicity for Niche Markets, Writing Articles
posted On: 10/18/2006: 9:41 am: By Joan
Comments: No Comments

If you’re new to blogging, check out blogger Vincent Maher’s list of 11 tips.

As you’ll see from the comments, you’ll never get all bloggers to agree on exactly what their purpose should be, or how they should blog.

But Maher’s tips are a good start.   

Posted In: Blogs
posted On: : 6:14 am: By Joan
Comments: 2 Comments

Publicity Hound Susan Stein of Dallas, Texas writes:

“I work in an independent medical practice in a major city. We are planning a one-day seminar in Dallas in April for parents of adolescents with a major speaker, lunch and break-out sessions. The goal is to make parents aware of the myriad of issues facing today’s teens and what we can do to help them through it. The profits will go to a nonprofit girls program. Our goal is 400 attendees.

“We’re thinking of purchasing a mailing list and mailing out flyers, but that is really stretching our budget. We’re buying a small ad in the free local family publication. I’d like to get some newspaper articles and TV coverage but can’t count on that happening.

“We’d also like to find more ways to publicize our monthly classes and programs without spending a bundle. Can your Hounds help?”

Posted In: Business Promotion, Newspaper Publicity, Pitching the Media, Special Events, TV Publicity
posted On: 10/17/2006: 10:48 am: By Joan
Comments: 11 Comments

It’s amazing how clearly you can see things in hindsight.

Like media bias, for instance. During the 22 years I worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, if you had told me the media were biased, I’d have wanted to arm-wrestle you.

But here we are, 12 years later. In the column I wrote for Bulldog Reporter this week, I admit the ugly truth, plead guilty, and explain what it means for anyone who does PR or wants publicity. (It’s the third article on the page.)

The good news is, the old rules don’t apply anymore, and we’re no longer at the mercy of the media to deliver our message.   

Posted In: Blogs, Business Promotion, Crisis Communications, How to Interview, Newspaper Publicity, PR Consultants/Publicists, Press Releases/News Releases, Publicity on the Internet
posted On: : 8:05 am: By Joan
Comments: 1 Comment

Crisis manager Jonathan Bernstein, one of the very best in the business, has been teaching companies how to get out of trouble—or stay out of it—for more than 20 years.

Today, he’s dealing with the most unusual crisis he’s ever seen. In an email message this afternoon to subscribers of his electronic newsletter, he writes:

“I am probably, fairly soon, going to take you right into the middle of (it), because we’re planning to launch an aggressive Internet-centered public relations campaign in an attempt to influence the public in my client’s favor. This is not a matter in the public eye at this time—rather, the client and I have concluded that justice will not be served by the legal system unless the court of public opinion INSISTS that the legal system stop ignoring certain facts.”

Watching a crisis like this unfold can keep you from making dumb mistakes when your own organization is in the eye of the hurricane. 

I’ll keep you posted about what Jonathan is doing. In the meantime, sign up for his excellent “Crisis Manager” ezine and you, too, can receive updates.

If his name sounds familiar, it could be that you’ve heard me talk about the super interview I conducted with him a few years ago on “How to Keep the Media Wolves at Bay.” It included his best tips on dealing with the media wolves so they don’t eat you alive.

Posted In: Crisis Communications, How to Interview
posted On: 10/16/2006: 2:10 pm: By Joan
Comments: No Comments