Pet PR featured writer

we are featured today in Pet PR…

 

http://www.petpr.com/pet_marketing/news.php?id=1006&cat_id=3#ontitle

 

 

press agent to the stars…

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

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/winninglifethroughpain/2011/09/13/celia-sue-hecht-will-talk-about-how-dogs-have-feelings-too

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

http://issuu.com/americandogmag/docs/ad_digitalfall11.final.lr

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

meet and greet workshops…

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 !

example of a Best Friends fun raising letter asking for donations…

 just received this email (and I get a few of them a month)… from Best Friends…  I only included ONE of the bunnies, Jasmine, but the letter highlighted three bunnies to sponsor… here’s my suggestion for animal rescue organizations who are raising donations: sign up for Best Friends newsletter and email alerts…  attend one of their seminars/workshops about starting and running an animal shelter, and follow their lead… and network, network, network… and please, if you need assistance to write email alerts, newsletters, donation letters, a blog, website copy, please contact me (see my About me page) or click on my links.   

 

Dear Members and Friends,

 

Easter. A time for bright-eyed children … bountiful baskets … and bunnies! But did you know that bunnies are popular all year long?

 

Bunnies are the third favorite housepet in America. Sadly, after cats and dogs, bunnies are also the #3 pet most commonly found in shelters. There, many face a too-soon end.

 

At The Best Friends Bunny House, things are different. Here, hundreds of “buns” live happily, for as long as they need.

 

But The Bunny House is two decades old … and urgently needs renovation. In short, the “buns” of Best Friends need a home makeover.

 

The cost to remodel is just over $100,000 – and we already have more than half. So, give what you can and together we can “raise the roof” on The Best Friends Bunny House. Here’s how.

 

This Easter, when you sponsor a homeless bunny as your gift to a friend or family member, your donation will go to rebuild The Best Friends Bunny House … keeping each “bun” that you sponsor cozy for years to come.

Sponsor Jasmine! Sponsor Tumbleweed! Sponsor Bogey!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

So go ahead and sponsor an orphan bunny from Best Friends as your gift this Easter.

 

You’ll raise the roof on The Best Friends Bunny House … keep hundreds of buns safe and warm … and get many happy feelings in return.

 

Where else but Best Friends can an Easter gift do so much? Must be that bunny magic! Thank you for caring about all creatures … great and small.

 

And warm wishes for a Happy Spring,

 

 

 

 

P.S. There are lots more bunnies for you to sponsor on the Best Friends website, here. And if you liked the stories of Jasmine and her pals, I hope you’ll share with a friend. 

Hot off the press… a Pet Media Contact directory…

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  

http://celiasue.hecht.googlepages.com/mediadirectories

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.

Fun Raising Money for your dog rescue group…

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

http://celiasue.hecht.googlepages.com/writingservices 

I’ll be glad to help spruce up the letter you’ve written. Or, I can write the letter for you.

TIP JARLike my blog? Drop a few bucks into the Tip Jar to buy Cici the wonder dog a bone!

Pup-Lick Relations Tips

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

A fun raiser…

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/socialbutterflymedia…creatingbuzz

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…

puppy’s gotta swim…

seems like this took me all day to set up paypal… oh well, am no technowizard…now if I could only figure out how to put buttons on my website…

Found a pool for puppy to go swimming, it will cost about $800… for ten sessions… she really needs to do this. It has been a month since her final surgery and she really needs physical therapy asap.

If you would like to contribute to my dog’s foot rehab and/or would like to partake of my writing, editing and/or publicity services, please let me know, thanks !  

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=suemagic5%40yahoo%2ecom&item_name=Sue%20Hecht&no_shipping=0&no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

 

the flap over ellen, a dog named iggy, and mutts and moms…

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/10554

http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/4304

since this blog is about my dog, who is a Dalmatian mix, part pit bull, and I also know a thing or two about media and pet rescue orgs, since I have worked for a few of them, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary now Society, Animal Foundation and others, I think I will weigh in on this controversy… I wasn’t going to but here goes…

First, I pray for and ask for peace, understanding, and conflict resolution… for the highest good of all…

We humans tend to get very emotional about their animals, even crazed… just last weekend in fact, I was hysterical when my dog bruised herself… I took her to the vet, and voila, she is fine… but last Sunday, I was beside myself… and I understand what it is like to lose a pet or two… I have, it is not a fun experience.

Our pets become a part of our family, usually… for some of us, and it is difficult when things go awry…

my experience working with animal rescue organizations is mixed… they provide a very needed service, how many of us are willing to do what they do day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year? not many, there are way too many irresponsible pet owners in this world, and pet rescue orgs step up to the plate to fill in the gap, for that they are to be applauded… supported, donated to, and assisted. Volunteer! Take a mutt home if you can! Give, give, give, pay it forward…

While talking on this subject, I will mention that a few very fine and kind pet orgs helped me recently when I had to come up with quite a few bucks to pay for my dog’s surgery asap, immediately… Pet Network in Tahoe, Shakespeare, New Hope, and UN Animal Foundation, I thank you for your loving care… I also received assistance and support from friends, to name a few, Angela, Steve, Randy, Brenda, Penina, Sue, Bruce, and others… without you all, we would not be together…

I also appreciate the good folks at Pet Smart who came to the rescue right after my dog was hit and a guy with a dog named Merlin at the park where it happened…

and of course, Dr. Gary Ailes and Sierra Vet Hospital, Brandy, Janet, Sarah, Jason, Donelle, Stephanie, to name a few of the fine folks who have been and are giving my girl the best care possible. Next week, CC will have her last surgery and I am counting on all of them to help us through this ordeal. It’s been a long haul…

People should realize that pet rescue organization people, like many nonprofits and even us entrepreneurial type folks, can get stressed, overworked, and too wrapped up in rules and regulations and sometimes make mistakes… oh horrors, people make mistakes, imagine that… well, folks, we do, we humans make mistakes. we are here on this planet to learn, not be perfect. And we do make mistakes… sometimes little ones. Sometimes big ones. And we are not ever going to stop making mistakes. So we need to get over ourselves and give each other a break… Forgiveness goes a long long way to healing… What was it that guy said over 2,000 years ago, he who is without sin, cast the first stone. I think there have been way too many stones thrown, boulders and rocks and big heavy I don’t even know what to call them…

Let’s face it, both Ellen and the Mutts and Moms could have handled the situation better… they both made mistakes… I feel for the kids involved, having bonded with Iggy and have him taken away so abruptly must have been terrible for them… for the kids, Ellen and the Moms should have worked things out privately and respectfully… instead of making a big media fuss … but all things happen for a reason, I think…

what can we all learn from this? what can you learn? what can I learn?

for the highest good of all, I pray for peaceful resolution for Ellen, the Mutts/Moms, little girls, and the new owners of the dog, Iggy, and last but not least Iggy… hopefully, he will be and is loved and not forgotten in all of this…

CC is wagging her tail, I guess that means she agrees with me… or else she just likes to wag her tail, gives her exercise for the day…

Bark bark for now…

Stonewall Jackson – Me & You & A Dog Named Boo Lyrics

I remember to this day the bright red Georgia clay
And how it stuck to the tires after the summer rain
Will power made that old car go my roamin’ mind told me that’s so
How I wish that we were back on the road again
Me and you and a dog named Boo travelin’ and a livin’ off the land
Me and you and a dog named Boo how I love being a free man

I can still recall the wheatfields near St Paul
And in the mornin’ we got caught robbin’ from an old hen
Old MacDonald he made us work but then he paid us for what it was worth
Another tank of gas and back on the road again
Me and you and a dog named Boo…

I’ll never forget that day we motored stately into big LA
The lights of the city put the settlin’ down into my brain
It’s only been a month or so that old car’s a buggin’ us to go
We gotta get away and get back on the road again
Me and you and a dog named Boo…
Me and you and a dog named Boo…

More Stonewall Jackson Lyrics…