Guide To Contacting The Media

Guide To Contacting The Media

GUIDE TO CONTACTING THE MEDIA

  1. Writing a Letter to the Editor
    • Keep your message short, 200 words or less. Due to the limited space, it’s wise to focus only on one issue or respond to only one article.
    • Make sure your message is topical. Open with specific references to recent news article, recent as in no more than a few days old.
    • Explain how the issue your addressing affects you or what kind of impact it has locally, nationally, or internationally. Using local statistics captures readers’ attention.
    • If possible, provide facts, quotes, and statistics, briefly.
    • While writing to major local and national papers is ambitious and has the ability to reach many, they are harder to get published in. There are many local, regional and/or on-line publications to consider
  2. Publish an Op-Ed and/or Blog piece
    • Opinion-Editorial and/or Blog pieces are much like writing a letter to the editor yet are substantially longer.
    • Check the publications’ submission requirements. Many media outlets require email submission and have length and format restrictions.
    • If possible, begin with a short story or anecdote to illustrate the impact of your issue.
    • You may want to consider co-signer and/or co-authors on your Op-Ed or Blog.
    • Make sure you follow up on your submission. Even if you are not successful in getting published, speaking to staff can open the door for future articles.
  3. Calling Radio Talk Shows
    • Speak clearly and simply
    • Stay calm, cool, and collected even if the host argues with you don’t let them get a rise out of you