October 22, 2011 is National Pit Bull Awareness Day
Get involved, send a press release out to your local media… here’s more info:
new pit bull movie, guilty until proven innocent
an example of a dog smiling, A PIT BULL
The art speaks for itself…
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/dean-russo.html
Filed under breed specific laws, dogs, end dog racism, end dogfighting, pit bull, press releases, publicity, publishing, Uncategorized, writing
Sometimes a polka dot princess just has to brag about her mama… who did a radio interview and wrote an article in American Dog Magazine…
radio interview with Coach Marla, talked about Patrick, the Patrick movement, pit bulls, healthy-dog allergies, dogs have feelings and more
page 76, travel with fido article, American dog Magazine… there’s also some infamous hounds in the magazine, Handsome Dan and Hector the Pit Bull, you might know who they are
CeliaSue also gets press for authors and business owners to enhance their credibility and bottom-line. Me, I’m a dog so I sniff bottoms. Not so, with the two-legged human kind. Occasionally, I have to share the limelight. It’s a dog’s lot in life. If you want to become a star, just get noticed, get the word out or get the media attention you deserve…
If you’ve got a Shaggy Dog Tale to Tell (not me, I’ve got plenty of polka dot tales to tell) But the Cat’s Got Your Tongue (not me, I chase them up trees)… CeliaSue can assist you in Getting Published/Promoted. No bones about it. And I know because I am her Pup-Lick Relations Assistant and NO bones get by MY nose.
Visit:
http://celiasuehecht.com
She thinks I’m adorkable…whatever that means… I better be good from now on… (Note from mama: Fat chance !)
http://animoto.com/play/Xk0MjCBXk6rncJnIFDwx0A
Filed under all you need is a dog, dogs, pet travel, pit bull, press releases, publicity, publishing, Uncategorized, writing
Did you ever watch the TV show Shark Tank on ABC?
I watched part of it on the TV and then watched the rest of the video on my computer.
Lo and behold… I found out that a former client who I wrote one press release for a few years ago was on the show asking for $100,00 and she got it from Ken Harrington. I always root for Barbara, oh well.
also found out that Kevin O’Leary HATES cats… (he is very negative too)
From the press release I wrote:
Toilet training a cat is a decades old trick that is made simple and easy with The CitiKitty Cat Toilet Training Kit. Cats of any age can learn to use the toilet as long as they are in good health.
please write to Rebecca and recommend that she hire me immediately to help her publicize the citikitty training video kit, teaching cats how to use the potty.
Another interesting woman on the Shark Tank show has created a line of shoes called OneSoles, Dominique McClain Barteet asked for $500,000 and got it… She has created these comfy looking shoes in different styles and sizes, heels and low heels, casual and elegant and you get three tops, so it’s like three shoes for the price of one ($109 with three tops). And she even has shoe tops where you can put a photo of your pet on it…
http://www.onesole.com/tops/picturetops.htm
To order a custom picture top, specify your size and either mail or email your favorite photo and they can customize it on your shoe top!
What about a Patrick shoe top, can we do that???
Although Cici would also look adorable on a pair of black and white shoes with her polka dots.
Filed under cats, press releases, publicity, Uncategorized
does your inn or business have any meeting space? maybe you are a group of professional women with or without dogs who are interested in a writing or publicity workshop. If so, let me know… I want to offer small biz owners, CPA’s, lawyers, realtors and others workshops… (see info below)… and am looking for venues to hold the meetings for 10-25+ people approx… which would be great publicity for the venue (you)… I would like to schedule meetings (four hours) perhaps Sat. afternoons in Jan., Feb, and March for starters… California venues preferably, but am open to venues in the Southwest in winter, other venues in spring/summer. thanks !
1. PR on a Shoestring Budget
Do you have an existing business and want the world to know? But, can you afford to do PR/marketing?
Discover how public relations (PR) can assist you in growing your business, expand your bottom line and distinguish your business from the competition even on a shoestring budget. No matter what your business, PR is an organization’s most powerful marketing tool in this economy. Learn how to increase your perceived worth, and the worth of your company, in the eyes of your customers, clients and industry — all with an effective PR campaign. In this workshop, you will learn:
• The difference between Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations
• How to Write Press Releases that Get Published
• How to Create an Impressive Press Kit from Scratch
• How to Develop Media Savvy (how to talk to inquiring reporters)
• PLUS, Expert Tips on Creating an Elevator Speech, Hiring a P.R. Firm, Networking for Profits and much more …
2. Power Publishing a Book: Turning Your Expertise Into Gold!
Do you have an interesting or unique life story? Are you looking for ways to increase your visibility, expand your credibility and enhance your image as an entrepreneur or businessperson?
Why not take your knowledge and turn it into a money-making book?
Maybe you’re an expert on weight loss or saving money on your taxes. Or perhaps you’ve traveled extensively through Texas and could write a traveler’s guide. Whatever your knowledge, and whatever the topic, one of the best ways to demonstrate your expertise is to write a book!
If you’ve ever dreamed about writing a book, but thought you lacked the time, tools or training to get published or the confidence to give it a try … stop making excuses! You’ve just found a workshop that will help you get started (even if you hate to write)!
In this workshop you will learn how to:
• Find a topic for your book and start writing
• Locate an agent and/or book publisher
• Write an effective query letter
• Negotiate contracts, royalties and advance payments
• Plus, book proposals, self-publishing and more …
Call or email me, thanks !
cool new social networking place for dogs…doggyspace…
http://www.doggyspace.com/accounts/eProfile?id=467
and don’t forget us chickens… lemme assist you in writing that funraising letter, press release, article, newsletter or doggone web copy… we dogs just wanna write and have fun!
I just had someone ask me if I could send them my Travel Media contacts so I put together a directory… and now am thinking I can also put together a pet directory… you can pre-order a copy… for more info, you can visit
and if you are interested in purchasing both the Travel and the Pet media directories, I will offer you a discounted rate… just let me know…
The travel media contact list (250 names) includes:
• Travel Blogs and Writers
• Online Magazines
• Top 100 Newspapers, Travel Editors
• TV Show Producers
• Print Magazines
• Tips for Promotion and Pitching Magazine Editors
O magazine, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Lucky, More, Redbook, Woman’s Day, Real Simple, Bridal magazines such as Bride, Modern Bride, Contemporary Bride, Travel magazines such as Town & Country Travel, Top 100 Travel Editors including NY Times, LA Times, Kansas City Star, Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Boston Globe, Dallas Morning News, SF Chronicle, USA Today, plus travel columnists, TV show producers, online magazines, bloggers and more…
If you want to promote your travel or pet business and obtain publicity, these are the folks you want to contact.
Filed under AAA, media contacts directory, press releases, publicity, publishing, Uncategorized, USA Today
There is a reason why I called this Fun Raising rather than FundRaising… Many people hate asking other people for money (myself included)… And if you think of this as FUN (as opposed to asking for a handout or begging), then you might just psych yourself into another frame of mind… as if it’s fun and it just might turn out that way.
I remember a time years ago when a group of us were selling seminars, trying to get registrations and it was tough going. Seemed like everyone and their brother had a seminar or workshop. EST, Actualizations and other personal growth seminars were BIG… so how was ours different? just changed my life… how do I tell that to anyone?
One day the founder of the organization suggested that we go to the beach and have a No contest. A No contest? The person who got the MOST No’s won the contest… We were to go up to everyone on the beach and try to sell/register them in the seminar… and off we went to the beaches. We had a BLAST. The pressure was OFF since all we had to get were No’s… and the person who got the MOST No’s won. Turned the whole thing upside down, inside out and made it really crazy FUN…
So, now, you got a non-profit status with the IRS 501c3 status? Now what… wanna have fun and raise money, to boot?
Check out Best Friends Animal Society’s web page…
http://news.bestfriends.org/
What can you learn from the nation’s largest no-kill shelter ? They started out a group of best friends who were rescuing animals. And now 30+ years later, they have grown into a well-known organization with a huge network, with a show on the National Geographic and articles in the New York Times, plus a book. How did they do all of that? They’ve got lots of stories about the animals and photos galore on their website and in all of their promotional materials.
They’ve got members who subscribe to the magazine and give healthy donations. Best Friends have gotten celebrities involved in their cause.
I remember back years ago (12 + years ago) when I first met the people Best Friends. I was living in Las Vegas and every time I went to Whole Foods market, there were a couple of folks outside behind a table telling me about these animals they were helping. Asking for donations. They were a constant presence, every time I went shopping, almost every time.
Same with Animal Friends Rescue in Pacific Grove, California. They were always outside Trader Joe’s. Now after 10 years, Animal Friends has a storefront.
http://www.animalfriendsrescue.org/
Both of these rescue groups started small, and were/are visible in their community and talking to people about the animals, participating with Pet stores for adoptions, and asking for donations.
These organizations started out just like you. People who care about animals. And you can learn from their successes. They are both non-profits because people who give big money donations to dog rescue groups, including big foundations who award grants, want to deduct their donation for tax purposes. If you don’t have non-profit status, they probably won’t give you the Big Bucks.
It’s also essential to have a newsletter, website (include a donate button, media press room and press kit), magazine or ezine to tell people about the animals on a regular basis. Through these publications you can appeal for new donations to folks, new and past supporters, members, funders and people who have adopted from your organization.
Sending out newsworthy press releases on a regular basis to alert the media about your good works is also important. The media love a good heartwarming tale and/or sad shaggy dog story.
If you need to find a professional writer to help you with the above, I offer a discounted rate to all animal rescues.
Meanwhile, if you want to write funraising letters yourself, keep these tips in mind…
Tell a story… make it personal… give people one particular animal to care about. Reel them into a compelling story and make it light-hearted. People like to give partly because they want to help homeless and abandoned animals, it makes them feel good to contribute. It would be nice if they felt the same way about people, but I digress. Maybe the person did an animal wrong at some time and still feel guilty and want to right the wrong, were abused as kids, were not able to have a pet or want to teach their kids to have a heart and to give. Many times, they want to feel part of something larger than themselves, a good and worthy cause, and sometimes just because you asked, and they have the means, they will reach into their wallet, checkbook, or credit card and pull out $1000 or more, you never know.
Your letter has to convey to the reader that giving to your organization will satisfy the reasons people want to give. Give them what they want. Make them happy.
It is also important to convey specifically where their money will go and who and how it will help. Start your letter off with the story of a pit bull (Best Friends Vicktory dogs) who were rescued from Michael Vicks dog fighters, a dangerous and abusive situation and how now, that very same pit bull is being cared for in a loving home. Just an example. Or how about the cats who were living in a dumpster. Show them that their money matters. Remind them about all of the well-behaved, loving dogs who deserve forever homes.
Show potential donors that you can help them help the dogs. All they have to do is give.
If you write the letter keeping the donor’s needs in mind, you will get better results. Also, make it easy for them to give. Accept credit card payments, paypal, and checks. Put the info on your website so all they have to do is click.
Consider your typical donor. Who is that person? Can you write a letter as if you’re writing directly to her (or him)? What would you say to them? How would you tell them your story? Don’t censor as you write. Write as if you were speaking directly to the person, and don’t forget to ask for the donation.
Maybe you feel as though you are begging and have a hard time asking for money, but if you try to avoid the topic, then you will never get the donation. Ask and you shall receive. Don’t ask and you won’t.
After you are done writing the letter, put it aside for the evening. Let it percolate overnight. In the morning, read the letter again and go over the letter with a red pen, editing along the way. But don’t edit it too much. You don’t want the letter to be so boring, perfect, prim and proper that no one will want to read it.
If you hate writing and many people do, please email me or visit me at
I’ll be glad to help spruce up the letter you’ve written. Or, I can write the letter for you.
TIP JAR
Like my blog? Drop a few bucks into the Tip Jar to buy Cici the wonder dog a bone! 
Filed under dogs, press releases, publicity, writing
My Pup-Lick Relations assistant Cici the wonder dog is offering K9 approved pet services and pet product business owners and managers and members of groups such as IACP a discount for a press release writing workshop retreat (weekend) where she will reveal How to Give the Media a Bone and Insider Tips on How to Write Press Releases that Get Published.
She is offering an affordable way for entrepreneurs to promote their companies to the local and national media. The workshop will teach participants how to write a press release and distribute it to editors and bloggers. Giving the media bone-a-fido press release will help to grow business, attract tail-wagging media attention (reporters and editors), and bring additional roll-over and receive belly rubs and sales.
Four Paws Up Press releases can help:
Boost a company’s Search Engine Optimization ranking (on Google Yahoo and other search engines)
Build relationships with media professionals, bloggers and customers
Enhance a company’s image and visibility in the community
Obtain media coverage in magazines, newspapers, and blogs
Here is a sample of some of the powerful tips that will be revealed:
DO NOT send a press release out on Monday morning (sign up to find out which days and times are best)
How many releases should you send? (sign up to find out if more is better or less is more).
DO NOT pay to distribute releases to the media. (Sign up for a list of free distribution sites).
As a bonus, Cici will critique each of the releases written by participants as well as give feedback about website copy and other promotional materials. This is a paws-on-hands training session. Each participant will receive a private and personal consultation, sample press releases and fill in the blanks templates for press releases, a powerful who’s who media contact list, and something to woof about PR resources and tools and discounts for various services. Plus, Cici will personally K9 approve each release with a wag of her tail and her trademarked kisses.
If you have a group of 20+ who would like to bring Cici and CeliaSue to your location for a workshop, please let us know. Beach locations where dogs can run are preferred… And if you have a pet friendly resort or hotel that can accommodate a weekend workshop, please let us know.
For more information or to sign up, visit
http://celiasue.hecht.googlepages.com/home
Filed under all you need is a dog, dogs, mutts, press releases, publicity, publishing, puppies, self help, writing
a short word from CC the wonder dog… she’s my Pup-Lick Relations assistant and Chief Social Butterfly…
Can you offer timely, short (3-5) tips to dog owners? You can write a press release or short article.
Is there a way to link your headline to: money, sex (gender), health, controversy, a trend or something the media is already discussing (do you have something to add to the conversation)?In the body, include quotes from experts (yourself in the third person), ask a question or provide a shocking statistic about a common problem and outline how you can solve the problem and add the benefits of solving the problem in an educational, funny, quirky way…
Example: Did you know that 98% of dogs suffer from (make up a condition such as Puppy-Alone-itis), symptoms include barking and howling until the cows come home and your neighbors protest on the lawn, and show how your doggy daycare service, pet product or puppy book can solve this terrible problem/condition.
In the final paragraph, include your contact info and give the media and readers an opportunity to take action… contact you for more info, read your book, or come to an event.
CC is taking calls now. As soon as she finishes her bone, she will answer your emails. She has her priorities. Her day planner is getting filled up with tasty treats, so just let us know.
http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200802/1202082864.html
Filed under all you need is a dog, animals, dog friendly, dog magazines, dogs, funny, K9 approved, mutts, pet care, pet friendly lodging, press releases, publicity, puppies, silly dog, writing
Money makes the world go round… and another visit to the vet recently has prompted a request… dear readers, can you spare a few bucks to keep my dog in good food and health… as well as contribute to her dreams of raw bones, tasty treats and a few toys… and there may be, on occasion, a worthwhile rescue operation or dog situation that can use some funding… rather than asking you every time, prefer to ask now and create a jar to dip into for such occasions. My promise to you is that this jar is for only important dog-related uses.
Many people think that travel writers have got it made. Getting paid for writing and travel. Wow. sounds glamorous. Except that the writing business can be feast or famine. Blogs like mine, are there any other blogs like mine that focus upon dogs, travel and chocolate? If my blog is a blessing to you, perhaps we can do business together.
I sure would like to help you succeed… so check me out at the Whole 9 where I have a portfolio and profile… and my Social Butterfly Media info, which can assist you with social networking… I’ve redesigned my home page to make it more user friendly, too…
http://www.thewhole9.com/CeliaSue
http://celiasue.hecht.googlepages.com/home
This blog is a labor of love. I’ve considered running ads as a way of raising revenue, but I think readers appreciate the value of an ad-free environment. Once in a blue moon, I will do product reviews. If you have a nifty dog-related item that you would like to tell my readers about, please let me know and I will consider it. But am going to be picky and choosy. Do not want to overrun this blog with ads.
Inspired by other bloggers, I have decided to run a month long fund-raiser since February is a very short month, shortest month of the year, as short as my dog’s coat and it is the month of Love (Valentine’s Day). All I am asking that you hit the PayPal tip jar button or drop a check along to my snail-mail address:
CeliaSue Hecht
2090 Fish Springs Road
Gardnerville, NV 89410
Our snowed-in humble abode…
If I have mentioned your business and you’ve received value, I hope you can see fit to tip the jar, as a way of letting me know that I’ve been of service to you. I know that some of you have expressed thanks and gratitude for the valuable info, publicity tips and travel info that I have shared with you. And if you have utilized my ideas and tips, it would be great if you would be willing to send some K9 cookies our way.
A fund-raiser like this will hopefully raise some funds, maybe 20 cents an hour for the time I spend working on this blog. But if you would like to help out, me and Cici will really appreciate it.Please chip in. It is, after all, the woof woof thing to do. Here’s how, just click on the Paypal link either on the Blogroll or right here… write in an amount and send…
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