This will be especially important for my new members, especially all of the new members in the U.K.

Whenever you start something new - something not familiar to you - you want to start off with a sure winner. Something that’s guaranteed to work.

For example, for those of you who play guitar, you know that when you first learned
to play, your teacher showed you how to play Jingle Bells or Happy Birthday or Little Brown Jug. In just minutes, you were playing the guitar.

That small success gave you the confidence that you could do it. You could actually play the guitar.

If the first thing he tried to teach you was the guitar version of The Devil Went Down to Georgia, you would have quit taking lessons, confident that you could never play the guitar.

The same is true with your publicity efforts. The first attempt at getting publicity should be a sure winner for you. I strongly recommend that all of my new members *first* get their press release on the front page of Google News.

The system for doing that is right in your kit. Just follow my simple instructions. I’ve never seen it fail.

So, you spend a few minutes following exactly what I tell you to do and within 60 minutes you see your press release on the front page of Google News. That’s a HUGE success. You scored big, but more importantly you’ve proven to yourself that you can do it.

That first step you take can have lots of benefits. You can get backlinks to your website, you can get search engine listings, your story can be picked up in blogs, in ezines, on other websites, you can get people asking you more about your product or service, you can get more traffic to your website.

All of this from one simple action you took that was a sure thing - a guaranteed winner.

Follow the same strategy with whatever you want to accomplish in life. Take a first step that will *guarantee* success.

I’m trying to learn a very complicated piece of music on my guitar. It’s a fast song, it’s got several key changes, it got lots of bumps along the way.

If I tried to play it at full speed right off, there’s no way I’d ever get it. But the first time I played it, I played agonizingly slowly.

And I played it perfectly. I proved to myself that I could play the song. Now all I have to do is work on the speed.

Start off by getting your press release to the front page of Google news. Bask in the glory of your victory. And then move on to even bigger challenges.

I’ll be back with more tips. I’ve got to get back to my guitar right now and speed things up.

In this Great Resource, I want to tell you about an experience I had (and will have again) that was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences of my marketing career.

If you’ve been a subscriber for a while, you know how much I raved about the last Marketers Cruise I was on.

Some of the brightest, most successful marketers out there were on the cruise. In addition to an incredible vacation, we all spent loads of time together in group sessions. The experts freely poured out their advice and information. They answered questions. They guided people who were just starting out. They fine tuned people who had been in business for decades. They helped anyone who wanted or needed it.

I was part of the “Expert Group”. I spent hours and hours helping people with their publicity campaigns. And all of this was included in the price of the cruise. None of the experts charged a dime for their advice and help.

Does this sound like something you can use? Surrounded by people who have successfully done what you want to do – and willing to help you succeed.

Well, the next Marketers Cruise is coming up in January. You can bet I’ll be there. In fact, I made my reservation months ago. Mary is coming with me, but we’re leaving the dogs home (but we’ll have pictures!).

I’d like to invite you to join me on this amazing mastermind vacation in the Caribbean…

The good news:

We have close to 350 of the brightest marketing minds on the planet already registered for the cruise. The VIP guest list reads like a who’s who of the world’s top marketers.

Where else can you spend 8 days of fun in the sun, rubbing shoulders and building relationships with people like Kevin Wilke, Anik Singal, Simon Leung, Joel Peterson, Dr. Steve, Matt Bacak, Kirt Christensen, Robert Puddy, Michael Cheney, Joel Therien, Jenny Armato, David Frey, Mike Hill, Dori Friend, Howard Tiano, hosts Mike Filsaime, Donna Fox and ME, Paul Hartunian.

These are people who are doing it. They’re successful, knowledgeable and willing to share with you and help you.

Plus many more of your peers, taking time out for our industry’s big annual bash with NO speakers, NO selling, just GREAT networking and all out FUN!

Did you get that? This is not a pitch-a-thon with speaker after speaker there to sell you something. There’s nothing being sold. Just great networking with incredible people.

We are keeping this AT OUR COSTS, and it is a true vacation that is AFFORDABLE so that you can bring your entire family if you want.

The main thing is that as a marketer, YOU are invited and we really want to share this amazing experience with you.

CLICK HERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRUISE.

Now, the bad news:

The ship has just informed us that they are 90% sold out, 5 months in advance and we are down to 33 cabins that must be deposited ASAP. I think it’s because of that amazing itinerary of wonderful islands we’ll be visiting ….La Romana, Grand Turk, Curacao and ARUBA!

CLICK HERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRUISE.

I don’t want you getting shut out, so you can still get in with just a $500 per person deposit, and the balance paid later.

This is not “marketing scarcity”. This is coming directly from Carnival. The ship only holds so many people and when the cabins are gone, they are gone.

CLICK HERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRUISE.

These cabins have been guaranteed to us for just ONE MORE WEEK.

You can make changes if you need to, up to Sept. 6th when your final payment is due.

You’re going to take a vacation anyway, you DESERVE a vacation don’t you? Why not go with people you actually have something in common with and who can help you make giant strides in building your business?

See you on the Lido deck,

Paul Hartunian

P.S. – If you have any questions about my experience on the cruise, Send me an email. I’m a raving fan of the Marketing Cruise, which is why I signed up again.

P

CLICK HERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRUISE.

I bring this up because I just got another great book of lists. The title is “1001 Ways To Make Money - If You Dare” by Trent Hamm.

In the book you’ll find things like turn your car intoa billboard, track down lost pets, hire out as a repo man, send American products to Ex-Pats and a thousand
more.

Now I don’t know if I’ll find an idea that I want toput into action. That’s not the point. The book has pried open my imagination even further.

So I may not want to sell American products to Ex-Pats, but the Ex-Pat market may be good for me for something else.

Books of headlines stimulate you to think of other headlines, story ideas, etc. that you can use.

Books of travel destinations get you thinking of a vacation that’s more than a week at the same old beach.

Another book of lists I love is “1,500 Great Gift Ideas”. I’m one of those guys who’s terrible at picking out gifts. This book has been incredibly helpful.

In fact, do you want a story that will bring a little tear to your eye?

Mary’s birthday was last month. I had no idea what to get her. So I flipped through the book. I saw an idea that hit home - have a family portrait taken. Well, our “family” is me, Mary and seven dogs.

I called the photo studio. They were very happy to have all nine of us come in. It actually caused quite a sensation in the mall!

The photos we had taken were stunning! Our #1 dog, Bandit, is clearly Mary’s favorite, so she had a few photos taken just with him.

We chose three group photos to have printed on the spot. We also had a proof sheet of the other photos we would look over later.

A friend of ours wanted to get Mary a present. I told her about the photos - especially one of Bandit and Mary that we did not have printed out. We arranged to have one of the prints of Mary and Bandit beautifully framed.

Mary came home, opened the photo and had tears in her eyes - it was so beautiful.

That was the last photo Bandy had taken, because right after that he passed away.

Had the photos been taken the next weekend, it would have been too late. Had I not had the book, I never would have thought of that gift, which became one of the best gifts I ever could have given Mary, even though every time we see it, tears come to OUR eyes.

In my next email I’ll tell you about my all time favorite book of lists, my favorite place to buy books and one book you should get, just to soothe your soul.

Next time.

In an email to you a couple of days ago, I told you about the “family photo” we had taken with our seven dogs - and of the passing of our #1 dog, Bandit, right after the photos were taken.

Lots of you asked to see the photos and for information about the people who took the photos.

We had these photos taken at a place called Picture People at a local mall. They had no problem with us coming in with our dogs. (You should have seen the expressions on the mall patrons as I walked through the mall with seven dogs, all on leashes and all perfectly behaved!)

The folks at Picture People were so accommodating, patient and friendly. I can’t say enough good things about them. And the photos will speak for themselves.

First, though, an earlier photo of Bandy in his proudest moment - up on the back of the sofa, looking out the window, protecting his family:

Bandy in his proudest moment - protecting his family

And now for a few photos taken by the Picture People:

Bandy and the love of his life - Mary

The sweetest photo of a dog and his person that I've ever seen

Our family - from the left Robbie, Mary holding Wheezer, Bandit, Ellie, me holding Diamond in my lap, Sarah (the brown dog) and Nicky and in the foreground, the memory of our Superstar dog, Milo.

As I mentioned in my email to you, I cannot think of a better gift to have gotten Mary for her birthday. We had the photos taken, we got the prints we wanted, and once everything was done, Bandy passed away.

Thanks for asking to see these photos.

I’ve told you so many times how important it is to turn yourself into a celebrity. you can turn yourself into the local celebrity carpet cleaner or a worldwide sensation - or anything in between.

Since we are now in a celebrity-obsessed society, this is now mandatory. It’s no longer an option.

If you don’t create your own celebrity status you are sure to lose out to your competitor who does.

As always, I’m here to help.

I’ve put together a special strategy report titled “The Outrageously Simple Way To Grow Your Business, Become A Celebrity and Live a Darn Great Life”.

You can download it for free at:

http://www.Hartunian.com/celebrity.pdf

You’ll find loads of solid information and valuable tools right there for you
to put into action.

So go to:

http://www.Hartunian.com/celebrity.pdf

and download your copy.

I don’t want any whining if I decide to take it down and end this free gift.

Enjoy it and profit from it.

See you next time.

Helen Thomas is now history. Gone from her lofty position, exiting in disgrace.

The reason was very simple. Helen Thomas did not keep up with or was not concerned with technology and social media.

I recently had an experience with Home Depot that makes me wonder if they aren’t in the same boat.

Here’s the story – short and sweet.

I bought a bunch of blueberry plants at Home Depot. Within about 2 weeks, one of them was dead and a four more were on the way.

I brought the one plant back to the store, asking to simply exchange it for a live plant. I had a receipt. I had paid for the plants with a Home Depot gift card that I bought with my American Express points.

Even though I had my receipt and the plant and I only wanted an exchange, not a refund, I was told I’d have to give them my drivers license.

What??? Why would anyone give their drivers license in a situation like this? With identity theft so rampant, I’d think smart people would want to protect as much confidential information as possible. So, I refused. And so did they. They refused to make the exchange unless I presented my drivers license.

I left the store and called the Home Depot central customer service phone line. The woman told me that Home Depot only guarantees live plants for three days!

What????

I wrote the CEO of Home Depot, telling him I wanted a refund – and I didn’t want any customer service reps from Home Depot calling me, since that was just a waste of time. (They called me anyway).

As additional plants died, I sent them to the CEO.

Eventually, I received a check for $10, far less than the cost of the now-expired plants.

So what’s the moral of the story?

This was a very simple situation for Home Depot to handle. But, because of some very curious policy – and some people who found it difficult, if not impossible to get past that policy – Home Depot lost a customer (I purchased more blueberry plants from Lowes. All of them are doing fine, thank you.)

Plus, now I’m writing about the experience in this blog.

And maybe worst of all, Home Depot jerks around a guy who knows all about how to get publicity! (Important lesson: you never know who your customer is and what they know how to do).

Bad move on their part? You decide.

So maybe Helen Thomas and Home Depot both seems to be unaware of the power of social media, publicity and customers that are just down right ticked off.

How about you? Do you understand the power of publicity? Of social media? Of the positive and negative effects it can have on you and your business?

Do you scan Google and the social media sites for comments made about you?

Have you set up Google Alerts for your name, the name of your business and any other terms that may be related to you? If you have, as soon as anything is mentioned pertaining to those terms, you’ll get an email notifying you.

Were not in Kansas anymore. What you say, what you do – or don’t say or don’t do – can be spread all around the world in a matter of minutes. And that can have a profound effect on you and your business.

You already know how important I think online press release distribution is. I’ve also mentioned online distribution services often. They can make life very easy for you.

Today I want to let you know about one of the online distribution services I have used and I will continue to use in the future. It’s:

http://www.SubmitInMe.com

Yeah, I know that’s an unusual name. I haven’t quite figured it out myself. If I’m correct, they’re located in India, which may explain it.

I want to let you know about this service today because I just got an email from them letting me know they’re offering a special deal.

Before I go any further, let me remind you that I have absolutely no financial interest in this company. I am not an affiliate and I am not compensated by them in any way. I’m sure they have no idea I’m mentioning them. They have served me well and hopefully will do the same for you.

Back to business. In their email, they told me that they are now offering online distribution to 90 press release directories for $19.

PLUS, they do all of the submission manually. They do not use software to automate the process (which often causes your release to be rejected).

Here’s the link you need to order:

http://bit.ly/9YEqar

I shortened the URL because the original was too long for this email.

You can also contact Geno at Geno@SubmitInMe.com

They offer press release writing for $15, but I’m not so sure about that service. I’ve never used it, but I doubt they follow my system that’s be proven successful for over 20 years.

OK, that’s a wrap for today.

Quite a number of you have been sending me emails thanking me for these resources and asking what you can do for me. I’m very happy to help you enjoy the benefits of publicity. But if you’re so moved and you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation to our non-profit dog rescue sanctuary you can go to:

http://www.AuntMarysDoghouse.com

There’s a “Donate” button at the top left.

Neither Mary nor I take any salary or compensation for the work we do with the dogs.

See you again soon with another Great Resource.

Paul

Each site has been confirmed within the last few weeks.

Included in the database is the URL of the website, confirmation that they current offering press release distribution service, whether their service is paid or free and - a critical piece of information - the Google page rank of the site.

Why do you want to know the Google page rank? If when your press release is posted by these sites, they will create a backlink to your website. The higher the page rank of the site creating the backlink, the more valuable the link.

Backlinks are one of the factors Google looks at when they consider where they will rank your site in their search engine.

So, if you have a choice between two equal distribution sites, you would want to pick the one with the higher page rank, with 10 being the highest rank.

One word of caution - as soon as you get your newsletter, open it up, look at the yellow insert and get the download link. Be sure to download the database right away. It will only be available at that link until the end of the month. Then it will be offered for sale to non-subscribers.

If you aren’t a subscriber to my paid newsletter, you can sign up at:

http://www.BestPublicityNewsletter.com

Once you sign up, I’ll send you the link for the download. I’ll also send you a digital copy of the current issue of the newsletter.

That’s the news for now. I’ll be back with your next free Great Resource.

Paul

Seems like a lot of you need a good transcriber. So, I’m going to acquiesce (how do you like that word) and reveal her contact information.

If you go to Fiverr.com and search the user name Catvando you’ll find her. She offers a lot of services beyond transcription. I’ve used her for transcription and I LOVE her.

Plus, she also does animal rescue work, so she gets an extra gold star from me. In fact, she gets a double gold star because she does animal hospice work. I’m not so sure I could do that. I have a lot of respect for her.

So, there you go. One of my hottest, most valuable, most revered resources is today’s Great Resource for you.

More to come

Paul

P.S. - Two important things about my publicity member site - www.PublicityMadeEasy.com

First, the offer I made of a free membership to subscribers of my paid, paper and ink newsletter is long gone. That was just a short offer made last December. The member site membership and the paper and ink newsletter are two separate things.

Second, if you are already a member of www.PublicityMadeEasy.com, I want to be sure you know that there is a full course on how to drive traffic to your website.

Once you log in, click on the “Marketing Videos” link on the top menu bar. Then click on the link that says “49 Ways to Drive Traffic To Your Website”.

If you’re not a member, you can get a one day pass and watch the videos for just $1.

Go to: www.PublicityMadeEasy.com and sign up.

I’ll be back with more Great Resources soon.

Over the years so many of you have asked me questions about how to create products. So today’s Great Resource should be a jackpot for many of you.

It’s a manual titled “99 Free Product Creation Tools”. It’s a .pdf document and it’s fairly large - about 17 megs.

It’s loaded with powerful, free tools that will help you produce great products, which you can then send out press releases about and start generating sales.

You can get it - free of course - at:

http://www.Hartunian.com/99FreeProductCreationTools.pdf

Before I go I want to remind those of you who are members of my publicity membership site -

http://www.PublicityMadeEasy.com

that there is a full video course on Internet Marketing right there for you to watch. It covers everything from creating a product, to setting up a website, generating traffic, making sales, etc.

To watch the series, log in to the member site, then click on the “Marketing Videos” link along the top menu bar.
Then scroll down to “Internet Marketing Uncut” and you’ll find the whole series right there.

This is only one of the video training series available to members of PublicityMadeEasy.com

If you’re not a member but you’d like to take a look around the member site, you can do that for just $1.

http://www.PublicityMadeEasy.com

OK, that’s it for today. I’ll be back with another Great Resource for you.

Paul