Public Relations - Ways to work with the Media

1. Make media contact lists at least two months before your event and send advance notice to the media to start building excitement and allow for more news coverage.
2. Think of ways to let journalists participate in your event and encourage them to write or broadcast a feature rather than just a straight news story. For example, invite a reporter to help with one of your community projects and write about his or her experience as one way to cover the event.
3. Plan a publicity stunt along with your event. It always helps to tie in interesting visuals – especially on weekends when the news has slowed down.
4. Meet and greet reporters. Assign one person to host the media on-site. Try to make the journalist’s visit special by offering refreshments, special parking or a small thank you for their participation. If journalists enjoy attending your events, they are more likely to fit your activities into their schedules in the future.

Make a real effort to use the media to help sell the story of Rotary. This is our very best way of attracting the very best members.