How to Get the News Media to Cover an Event
Today's mass media are looking for stories 24 hours a day, but people often don't contact reporters and editors for community rallies and charity events. Other times, media professionals are aware of an event but the marketing was too weak or the story pitch too watery to generate any interest. The trick is to be direct and substantive. Think about what the event means to society, not just to the people planning it.
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Instructions
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Determine the value of the event. List reasons people will attend. Estimate attendance.
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Find media outlets. Read the papers and blogs that publish in your area. Determine by reading past coverage which reporters would be most likely to take interest in your event.
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Write a press release. Use concise, direct language. Include any statistical information or background that shows the event is about more than you and your idea.
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Pitch the story. Fax and email event basics to reporters and editors. List contact information for all event planners.
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Follow up. Call reporters and editors. Ask them if they plan to come and, if not, how you might be able to convince them otherwise.
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Be there. Cater to the reporter's needs. Answer questions directly, substantively and quickly.
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Keep a personal file. Email pictures and a brief synopsis of the event to reporters and bloggers who didn't make it. Communicate raw facts such as how much money was raised, how many people attended or what a keynote speaker said.
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Email the reporter and editor to thank them for coverage. Keep the sentiment brief. Check back every few months to keep dialogue open about the core issues of the event.
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Tips & Warnings
Be persistent, but not pushy. Media professionals get many, many story pitches in the course of the day and sometimes you can lose their attention if you demand too much of it.
No matter how precise and thorough your story pitch, you may be disappointed with the angle a reporter takes.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit newspaper roll image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
