How to Contact Local Media to Cover Events that Include Fireworks Safety

Contacting local media entities to cover events that include fireworks safety information is easier than you might think. The media is always looking for news-worthy opportunities and local safety events often qualify. Use the following ideas when thinking about how to coordinate with local news media to help promote fireworks safety.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Contact information for media organizations
• Information to distribute

1. Identify local media agencies/organizations, such as radio and television stations, newspapers, community newsletters, high school journalism papers, college journalism papers, and Internet bulletin boards.
2. Contact these organizations and agencies to inform them that a safety event has been scheduled and you would like for them to cover the event.
3. Determine what type of coverage you want. See the Tips section for ideas.
   
4. Decide what information needs to be sent to the media agency/organization prior to the event to help them understand what the event is about, when it is happening and where it will be held.
5. Write up the information in number 4 and send it to agencies and organizations you are working with.
6. Write and disseminate press releases that fireworks safety information will be available at the event.
7. Write out information you want to be sure you go over if you are scheduled for an interview.
8. Write articles on fireworks safety for publishing in local newsletters and newspapers.
9. Work with news media to develop public service announcements

Tips & Warnings

• Types of media coverage might include a pre-event news article, radio interview, television interview or ad in the paper. Live coverage would be ideal, but sometimes you have to settle for post-event coverage.