How To’s

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE PRESS

Think of the press. It’s is highly important as you want to make as many aware of your cause as possible. Activism can be a fickle matter for many and you will see your supporters’ number fluctuate, so keep the public interested and you’ll save yourself a lot of work in re-mobilizing.

- Write a Press Release

- Focus on regional (and/or student) press first (they will be keener to take your story as they are always interested in local activities)

- Give out images: you will have 50% higher chances of being featured (True fact! Just make sure you own the copyrights to the pictures you give out)

- Follow up! (keep a tally on the members of press you have sent press releases to and ring them up a couple of days later – introduce yourself, ask if they would like some more info, if appropriate invite them for a coffee)

You might want to consider someone to do this job exclusively – it takes a lot of time and energy, but it is vitally important!

How to Write a Press Release

To write a press release is easier than you many think.
These are the golden rules; the rest is up to you and your creativity.

Lay-out:

- Try to keep it to an A4 page (nobody will read more than that)

- Make things look clean by writing with a 1,5 spacing and into paragraphs

- Give it an appealing title

- Write “ENDS” centered at the end of the press release

- Put all relevant extra information (e.g.: contact details and links) on the bottom of the page

Content:

- First paragraph has to contain the answers to the main questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why?

- Be factual, be concise

- If applicable (and appropriate) add a quote or two from relevant people

- Make it interesting by telling a story.  Make it punchy!

- If there is nothing else to say – don’t say it! Don’t fill In with fluff.