How to Create a Media/Contact List

Any effective political organization needs to consistently convey its message to as large and influential a portion of the public as possible. That goal can best be achieved through the creation and use of a strong media/contact list. A media list is made up of important information—names, phone numbers, addresses and job titles—of individuals and organizations that need to hear what you have to say. Utilizing a good media list is often the key to developing the contact networks that determine the long-term growth and influence of any organization.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Make a list of everyone you know. You have interaction with people in a variety of ways every day. From family and friends to current and former co-workers. You also have groups of old friends and acquaintances from high school and college activities like sports and music. Make a comprehensive list of all of these people and compile as much contact information as possible for each of them.
2. While putting together the list of personal contacts, you are reminded of the occupations, career paths and personal connections of those individuals. Many of those contacts could be helpful to your efforts to promote and advance your growing organization or cause. Remember that guy from your college dorm that majored in biology? He’s now doing PR for the Department of Natural Resources. He might also have a direct line to the state director.
3. Make sure friends are willing to provide contact information. Contact those people on your friends list who’s inside information or contact names you may have acquired through your personal relationship. While most people are more than willing to provide you with whatever useful contact information they can, it’s always best to check with each person before utilizing their name or position in an effort to reach a third party.
4. Scour phone books for media outlets and related businesses and organizations. Look closely through the yellow pages and business sections of local and regional phone books, recording the numbers of radio and television stations, daily and weekly newspapers and magazines, and potentially important businesses and organizations.
5. Using the numbers compiled from the phone books, call each location and ask for mailing addresses and media contact names. Convert the information into addresses, contact numbers and maybe even invaluable email addresses.
6. Now compile the information from the first two contact lists and the phone book search into one comprehensive media/contact list. This information should be a valuable and useful asset to any media campaign or mass mailing.
7. A contact list is only as good as the information contained in it. People change jobs all the time. Businesses and television stations restructure management regularly. In order to ensure that your message continues to get to the right people, you should update the media/contact list regularly. You should also repeat the phone book search at least once each year.