Getting more media attention can help your club grow and raise awareness. With many media outlets lacking the resources to cover as much ground as they had in the past, it’s more important than ever to take a proactive approach. Here are five easy tips to boost your club’s visibility:
1. Build Relationships with Local Journalists
This starts by first taking inventory of the media outlets in the region. Creating and routinely updating a list of journalists and media outlets’ emails will save you time. Reach out to local reporters who cover community news. Introduce them to your club and the great work you’re doing. Personal connections make it easier for them to cover your events.
Bonus tip: Don’t just reach out with news items. Sending a nice message around the holidays, or complimenting a recent article they wrote is a nice touch.
2. Send Clear Press Releases
When you have a newsworthy event or project, send a simple, short press release. Focus on the five W’s (who, what, when, where and why), as well as what is significant about the effort. Also, as the cliche goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and will add to your story. You don’t need a fancy camera. Most smartphones take great photos and videos. Also, make sure to include captions with who is in each photo.
Bonus tip: It’s alright if your club doesn’t have an Ernest Hemingway. Sometimes just sending a few details and a couple photos with captions is all you’ll need. The editors will do the rest!
3. Use Social Media
Share regular updates, photos, and success stories on social media. When posting about your club’s signature events, tag local news outlets and journalists to get their attention.
Bonus tip: Make sure to follow your local news outlets and journalists’ social media pages. It will make tagging easier.
4. Invite them to your Events
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of planning events, and all the logistics associated with it, it can be easy to forget to notify the media. But putting it on the to-do list during committee meetings should provide a solid reminder.
Bonus tip: Personalize the invites, and keep it brief, highlighting the event details and why it is an impactful effort.
5. Share Personal Stories
Media love human interest stories. Share stories of how your club’s work has made a real difference in someone’s life, and include photos or videos to make it more engaging. Always get those individuals’ permission to do so first.
Bonus tip: In these cases, offer a local journalist/media outlet you trust the “exclusive.”
In addition to these tips, please note that building relationships with the media doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient, but persistent!
In a world often marked by division, it’s more important than ever to spotlight the incredible work Rotary clubs are doing. By following these five tips, your club can increase its media presence and attract more attention to its efforts.
If you have any questions, reach out to CNY Rotary News Editor Joe Abraham at news@cnyrotary.org. Also, see the two press examples he's provided below!