How to Publicize Your
Event
Newspapers, radio and television can seldom resist ordinary
people doing extraordinary things. This is especially true
if your event or activity has strong visual appeal and a
local orientation.
Here are some pointers to help get publicity for your event.
-
Develop a relationship with your local media. Call and
ask who would cover the type of event you are hosting.
Then call, fax or email that person and ask what kind of
information
they would like and when their deadline is.
-
Write a one-page press release. Start by stating what
is unique about your event and place it in the context
of National Engineering Month. Explain who is involved
as well
as the background and the significance of the project.
For a sample press release, click
here. Fax or email the release
to local media at least one week before the event unless
their deadlines are earlier. Daily papers work on shorter
deadlines than community papers and magazines. Be sure
to contact your local media early in the planning process
to
find out their lead times. Have copies of the press
release to give to reporters on the day of your event.
-
Media are more likely to be available to do a story like
this early, rather than late in the day. If you are able
to choose a day of the week to hold an event, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday are best.
-
Consider getting a local media celebrity to participate
in your event. Their presence will almost guarantee
you coverage — at
least from their radio or TV station.
-
If you're interviewed on the air, you will likely be
asked to describe the event yourself and perhaps explain
why it is important or interesting. Practice describing
it clearly in one minute or less. Get that part down smoothly
and, chances are, you will be delighted with the result.
-
Promote National Engineering Month within your organization.
This includes, but is not limited to, placing articles
in newsletters, using internal communication systems
to inform
employees or members or placing ads in the media. Use
your imagination!
-
Send a media alert before the event. The general rule
of thumb is to send out a media alert, the day before
or day of the event, depending on the time. If the event
is
being held on a weekend, send the alert out the Thursday
or Friday before. For a sample media alert, click
here.
-
Take photographs of your event or activity as it happens.
If you use a digital camera, make sure the photos are
high-resolution (300 dpi is the minimum needed by the media
for reproduction).
Make sure you capture the excitement and action taking
place. Then send the photos to all appropriate media as
a means
of getting coverage after the fact.
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