The Publicity Hound’s Blog  

Bulldog Reporter has an excellent interview with Robert Scoble whose popular Scobleizer technology blog ranks 34 on Technorati’s list of top blogs, with over 19,458 links. (Scroll about one-third down the page to the headline “Blog or Bust”.)

Scoble offers many convincing arguments on why PR pros must start paying attention to blogs.

I think those who don’t aren’t worth hiring.

His tips underscore the advice I gave in a teleseminar I conducted several weeks ago with Denise Wakemand and Patsi Krakoff, a.k.a. The Blog Squad. We called it “How to Pitch the Best Bloggers and Crreate a Publicity Explosion.” 

No one-size-fits-all pitches to bloggers. No blatant self-promotion. And start a conversation first before you pitch.   

Posted In: Blogs, Business Promotion, Pitching the Media, Publicity on the Internet
posted On: 10/18/2006: 1:35 pm: By Joan
Comments: No Comments

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: : 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