Doing your own media work: Difference between revisions

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- Make sure to drop calls to key reporters, columnists and broadcast newshows, in addition to sending in press releases.  I usually leave a couple of messages. One to introduce the event and to tell them that I'll be sending them an email with the details. And one to follow up to make sure that they got it.  Then just before the event, I'll call to tell them of any changes...really to remind them, but using some small change as an excuse to call. For really super important events, I might actually drop a hard copy something in the mail to them, with something neat drawn on the envelope, so that they will pull it out of the pile first.  Stars, or something colorful.
- Make sure to drop calls to key reporters, columnists and broadcast newshows, in addition to sending in press releases.  I usually leave a couple of messages. One to introduce the event and to tell them that I'll be sending them an email with the details. And one to follow up to make sure that they got it.  Then just before the event, I'll call to tell them of any changes...really to remind them, but using some small change as an excuse to call. For really super important events, I might actually drop a hard copy something in the mail to them, with something neat drawn on the envelope, so that they will pull it out of the pile first.  Stars, or something colorful.
- Note that people in print news LOVE PICTURES.  If you send something with text-only, it's more difficult for them to notice you.  Also, be aware that some photos look "just like all of the others". So if you are sending a picture of a "protest" or a "march", try and choose a picture that says something specific, not just showing a bunch of people with signs too far away to read.


==Resources==
==Resources==

Revision as of 19:25, 26 March 2012

It's great if OB Media WG is willing to send out a press release to its list.

But to make sure your event is a success, you may want to do some extra media work on your own.

Suggestions for Doing your Own Media

- Make sure to report your event to the "newsdesks" for major media outlets in the region, especially those that cover Occupy. See Resources, below.

- Make sure to drop calls to key reporters, columnists and broadcast newshows, in addition to sending in press releases. I usually leave a couple of messages. One to introduce the event and to tell them that I'll be sending them an email with the details. And one to follow up to make sure that they got it. Then just before the event, I'll call to tell them of any changes...really to remind them, but using some small change as an excuse to call. For really super important events, I might actually drop a hard copy something in the mail to them, with something neat drawn on the envelope, so that they will pull it out of the pile first. Stars, or something colorful.

- Note that people in print news LOVE PICTURES. If you send something with text-only, it's more difficult for them to notice you. Also, be aware that some photos look "just like all of the others". So if you are sending a picture of a "protest" or a "march", try and choose a picture that says something specific, not just showing a bunch of people with signs too far away to read.

Resources

Here are a couple of media guides with handy links:

- [Mondo] (Press, Radio, Etc) Scroll down to see the links to media outlets. Click on a link and then scroll down AGAIN to see contact info for each news outlet. BUT, for most of these, you have to log in to actually get contact info. But at least it tells you the name of the publication and something about it!

- [Links to Newspaper websites] (including letters to the editor links) This one gets you the websites for local and regional publications. Note that the top link of each is to the main website for each publication. And the bottom link is for the letters to the editor. Generally, letters to the editor are only printed for people that work or live in the community that the paper serves. That's with the exception of regional news outlets like the Globe, Herald, Pheonix.

NOTES:

The Globe, Herald, and the Pheonix have "calendar" listings that should be notified. The Boston Globe also has a weekend "Magazine" edition that should get a copy, in case they want to do a feature.

Unfortunately, the editorial calendars of each publication is different. But the general rule of thumb (based on my little bit of experience, which might be more than you know. if it isn't, please edit this) is that the deadline for weekly news items and features is either Monday or Friday mornings. Note that the Sunday editions often have different editorial calendars. The bottom line is that if you want to get something into a weekly editorial cycle, it's best to start weeks ahead of time, no more than 3 weeks before the event, writing and calling. Look through papers and see which columnists write about topics that are similar to your event/issue. Email those folks directly.

For me to get decent press coverage from the Boston Globe, I've had to contact like 5-10 people, including the newsdesks, the calendars, the columnists, reporters, and the general submittal process.

Of course, it's easier to get press when your issue or event is connected to something that's already in the international news. But if it's not, then getting coverage requires more than just sending in a press release.