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As I travel the
highways and byways of Kiwanis, there are several things that
Kiwanis Clubs want more. One of them is to receive more publicity
for their good works. I am often asked how to get more newspaper
coverage. There are a number of clubs that receive regular coverage.
Here are six things I have learned they have in common:
Governor
Mark Taylor’s Six Things to Help Get the Kiwanis name in the
Newspaper.
1. Send
all items by electronic means. Sending a “hard” copy or faxing
the story means the reporter will have to retype the story even to
edit the story. They are too busy to do this work. You do it for
them.
2. Be
persistent. Many clubs send one article and expect to get it
published. That is a ridiculous expectation. Be persistent. Send
article after article. Include contact information so the newspaper
can contact you for questions.
3. Include
pictures. Newspapers like to include pictures. Make sure you
label the people in the picture. Action pictures are best. Having
pictures that looks like a “lineup” are not nearly exciting as those
where service is being included.
4. Include
children in your pictures and stories. Kiwanis does great
projects with children. Newspapers want to publish uplifting
articles. Children are uplifting.
5.
Relationship building creates results. If you know someone in
the editorial department, you are much more likely to get your
article published. You might recruit someone to be a member. Often,
this is hard to do. Some newspapers have editorial policies
preventing their reporters from joining civic groups. How about this
idea? Have a media appreciation day and invite members of the media
for a free meal. Hint: Newspaper reporters are poorly paid. Free
food will help.
6. Target
small community newspapers first. These publications exist to
publicize community events. Kiwanis projects are great things for
them to use.
Use Steve
Cummings, our Florida Kiwanis District Chair for Public Relations.
He is very good at getting stories in the paper. Ask his advice.
Stephen P.
Cummings (Steve)
610 S. Park Rd. Hollywood, FL
33021-8701
HOME CLUB:
Hallandale Beach
BUS: (305) 937-7100
HOME:
(954) 966-6842 FAX:
(954) 966-6842
EMAIL
ADDRESS:
mumbles109@bellsouth.net
Mark
Taylor, 2007-08
Governor
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