website: peopleandplanet.org/sixthforms/helpandadvice/groupsguide/takingaction/workingwiththemedia

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            • Press releases
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Working with the media

Use the media as a tool to raise your profile and get your message across - a little bit of work on your part can get a story read by thousands of people. It’s easy, and great for getting new members!

The most obvious targets for your attention are school or college newsletters. You might also think about getting stories on the Sixth Form website. But don’t be put off approaching other local media outlets, or even the nationals, if you think your event or action warrants it.

Getting your story reported

How can you get your story reported? Think where you’ve seen similar stories before. If you know how the media works, with a bit of practice you can be front page news!

• Which media can you contact? Local, and alternative media; press associations and national news.
• Background work: find out editorial and news contact details, maybe ring to introduce yourself.
• Finding the right angle - to get coverage of a story it is important to present it attractively to the journalist. What is the “hook” that makes your story current and interesting?
• Press stunts - the media look for events that are imaginative, visual and relevant.

More on getting your story reported

Press releases

The press release is the standard format you should use to get your story in the media. Staff producing Sixth Form newsletters might not be as bothered, but it will look impressive so they’re more likely to use it! Send one out well in advance of the action, another just before, and one more afterwards.

More on press releases

Other media techniques

Here we look at few other ways of getting your story in the media…

• Interviews and phone-ins
• Letters to the editor
• Free “what’s on” guides

More on other media techniques