Publicity Hints
HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE PRESS RELEASES
HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE PRESS RELEASES
Newspapers, magazines, radio, and television are the best means to disseminate your views and news to the community in a relevant and timely manner. In working with the media, remember that every editor, reporter, or producer is a professional whose primary task is to present important information to the public. If a member of your group has personal contact with the media, use it!
- Send short accounts of "hard news" to local newspapers, television, and radio stations.
- Send notices of Pack meetings, special events, and Courts of Honor and other events to newspapers and radio stations for listing in their community calendars.
- Send detailed descriptions of special events and programs to the lifestyle, educational, or cultural reporters at newspaper, radio, and television stations and to the editors of local or regional magazines.
- After sending a press release, be sure to follow up with a well-timed phone call. Call reporters, editors, and broadcasters within one week to supply them with any additional information needed.
- Begin the process by submitting photos, articles, programming to the NAPS editor for possible inclusion in the national NAPS newsletter and website - napseditor@gmail.com
GUIDELINES FOR PRESS RELEASES
- Type the release, double-spaced, with one-inch margins on 8 1/2 x 11 paper.
- In the upper left-hand corner, type "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" and include a note about the region it should interest.
- In the top right-hand corner, list the name, title, address, and telephone number(s) of a contact person. List a second contact for District or Council events.
- Center the headline above the body of the release, keep the headline short and concise.
- Begin the main body of the release with a dateline (city of origin and date) in all capital letters.
- Include who, what, when, where, why, and how in the first paragraph. Use short paragraphs. Remember: NAMES MAKE NEWS!
- Try to limit the release to one page if possible. If not, type "MORE" at the bottom of the page. On following pages in the upper left-hand corner, type a short derivative of the main title in all capital letters.
- To end the release type either "###" or "-30-".
- Attach a personal note to the release that grabs the reader's attention.