The Publicity Hound’s Blog  

Here’s another great resource for Publicity Hounds who need to outsource work to freelancers.

Consult the Society of Professional Journalists’ online freelancer directory, a listing of more than 600 members. You can search by state or specialty. Members include writers, photographers and graphic artists.

The trade group also has a new “Editor of the Moment” feature on its freelancer blog, The Independent Journalist, that connects editors and journalists.

During the teleseminar I hosted on Outsourcing Secrets: How to Find the Best Quality, Price & Teamwork from Freelancers, Leili McKinley mentioned several online services like Elance.com and Guru.com. I’ve used Elance.com several times and have found great writers and a few clunkers.

If you have a project that requires research or reporting, and you want journalists who speak English as a first lanuage, SPJ’s freelance directory is a great resource. SPJ members also agree to abide by the society’s Code of Ethics.

Posted In: General, Photos & Graphics, Publicity Resources, Writing Articles
posted On: 10/5/2008: 10:00 am: By Joan
Comments: No Comments

Can’t think of a story to pitch about your business, nonprofit or government agency?

Thanks to TV producer Shawne Duperon’s excellent newsletter Shawne’s TV Guide, for this timely story idea: politics in the workplace.

Shawne suggests you pitch the idea to your local TV stations, daily and weekly newspapers, and bloggers who cover your industry. It’s too late for trade publications but still a great opportunity for publicity in business journals.

Shawne suggests these talking points:

• Is it safe to talk politics in the office?
• Is it unavoidable?
• How loud and frequent is the conversation in your workplace?
• Does your organization have a policy about discussing politics with clients or customers?
• What’s the proper office etiquette?

I suggest these:

• Do you have policies governing T-shirts, campaign buttons and bumper stickers inside the office?
• Are you a sole proprietor? If so, do you ever discuss politics with your clients or customers? If not, would you consider discussing it if you knew that you and a client or customer are backing the same candidate? 
• Do you make your political affiliation known on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, and comment about things like the presidential debates and the campaigns? Have you gotten any flack from people who following you and disagree?
• What about LinkedIn, the social networking site that’s strictly for business? If somebody asks a question on LinkedIn about something pertaining to politics, do you make your political views know without fear of alientating your connections? I’ve seen a few political questions that have led to political debates that have no businesses on a site like this one. 

Keep this story idea in mind for when you’re creating your publicity plan or media plan in the years ahead, even when you have hot local or statewide contests. 

Shawne is one of my favorite Publicity Hounds. We teamed up and brainstormed more than 200 story ideas you can pitch to print and broadcast media when we presented teleseminars on 116 WOW Story Ideas from January through June and 103 Sizzling Story Ideas from July through December. 

Posted In: Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, Newspaper Publicity, Nonprofits, Pitching the Media, Social networking, TV Publicity, Twitter
posted On: 10/2/2008: 11:39 am: By Joan
Comments: 4 Comments

Dr. Shawn Messonnier, a veterinarian and award-winning author from Plano, Texas, writes:

“I would love ideas from other Hounds on how to promote my new line of certified organic pet shampoos.

“They’re currently available online only at http://www.drshawnspetorganics.com but should be available at retail outlets sometime next year.    

“I’d like to reach as many pet owners online to get a good jump start. So far, I’ve promoted them on my radio show, in my newsletter, by marketing to our current clients, and writing articles and being interviewed for pet magazines.

“Hounds, can you help?

Posted In: Magazine Publicity, Pitching the Media, Publicity for Niche Markets, Publicity on the Internet, Writing Articles
posted On: 9/30/2008: 1:13 pm: By Joan
Comments: 10 Comments

Publicity Hounds, what are you doing to let off steam the day after the bail-out bill failed?

Taking surveys at your blog? Organizing a telephone tree to call your representatives in Washington? Writing letters to the editor?

Are you creating and uploading videos that show you so angry that the veins in your neck are eyes are bulging?

Or offering free advice to your customers on how this mess will affect your business, or your product or service?

How are you using social networking sites, and what clever ideas have you seen? 

Share your ideas here.

Posted In: Pitching the Media, Publicity on the Internet, Social networking
posted On: : 9:46 am: By Joan
Comments: 8 Comments

If you’re strapped for cash and can’t afford a professional photographer, and you need a photo because you want to promote something on Facebook or another social networking site, what’s the next best alternative?

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal offers tips from three professional photographers on how to capture the right image. Each has a Facebook page.

From Jessica Kaminski, owner of J. Kaminski Photography:

If you’re taking your own photo, “Hold the hand with the camera higher than normal so you don’t get a double chin in the photo.”

From Kristyna Wentz-Graff, staff photographer at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who offers this tip if you’re shooting your own photo outdoors:

“Use the early-morning hours before 10 a.m. or early evening hours such as 4, 5 or 6 when the light is most flattering and there’s a beautiful glow in the sky.” The noon sun, she says, will cast shadows that give you raccoon eyes and an elongated nose.

From Janet McMillan, owner, Janet McMillan Photography:

“For me, the best photos are when you can capture something that’s not necessarily so posed, like a true moment.”

For her own photo and a casual, informal look, she used a Holga camera, a toy camera with a plastic lens that takes larger-format film.

The article also offered a great reminder for those of you who want to promote on LinkedIn but don’t want to use a personal photo. Don’t hide behind a corporate logo because the site doesn’t allow copyrighted material.

Posted In: Facebook, LinkedIn, Photos & Graphics, Social networking
posted On: : 2:07 am: By Joan
Comments: 3 Comments