What is the Point? Questions to ask before you promote an event or story to the media: What makes the event story interesting or unique? Is your news or event relevant to a large number of people or a smaller target audience? Is the message breaking news, a feature story or a calendar item? Is the event or story better for print media or television?

Reduce your news release hassles Update phone, fax and email lists at least once a year. News organizations turn over personnel quite frequently. Limit the number of pages. Your release is more likely to get read and you save on paper and postage. For releases that go over a page, try using 8 ½ x 14 (legal size) paper instead of 8 ½ x 11 (letter size). Don't equate fancy letterhead with successful press releases. Editors are more interested in what is on the paper than on what the paper looks like. Enclose more than one release in an envelope to save on postage and preparation costs. Print on both sides of the paper if possible. ACTION AGENDA: Promoting An Event Fax media advisories at least three days before event. Call to ensure the advisory is in the right hands. Pitch the story to an editor or reporter. Find out the deadlines for the day of the event. Have ready a list of people who can conduct interviews. Call again the day before the event. Use a media kit. Include a news release, the organization's background, logo, biographies and photos/contact numbers of key people. Follow up after the event. Provide additional information, if requested. Take the media kit to reporters who couldn't come to the event. Pitch the story as a feature, if appropriate.

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