Media: Other techniques

Strathclyde University P&P group had their Fairtrade Fashion Show publicised in Scotland’s largest ‘What’s On’ guide and a national newspaper after sending in this photo and a press release.

Here we look at a few other ways of getting your story in the media: letters to the editor; what’s on guides; and interviews.

Letters to the Editor

• Editors like controversial discussion going on in their letters column. If you feel they did you or an issue an injustice in an article, take the opportunity to write in and say so.
• Keep it calm and intelligent - retain the moral high ground by not descending into petty politicking. You just want to seem nice and reasonable.
• Remember to keep to your core message, even if they’ve made countless stupid points you feel desperate to rectify.
• Always keep the readership of the newspaper in mind - if you are writing to a local paper then global issues must have a local link.
• Concise, amusing letters that are under 80 words long stand a very good chance of publication. Don’t try and cover too much ground in a short letter. It is better just to make one or two points clearly and emphatically, the editor might choose to cut out your most important point otherwise.
• Look at the letters page of the publication to find out what the usual style and length is. There is no single correct style for writing letters; it all depends on the newspaper, the subject and your objectives.
• Always include your name and address - some papers won´t print letters without them. You can ask for your details to be withheld if you like.

What’s On

Don’t forget the free ‘What’s On’ guide in many papers and on local radio for promoting your events. As a minimum you need to give them the Date, Time, Venue, Price, What’s happening and Something that sounds fun

Interviews

Always remember that you’re in control. You don´t have to give this interview, they’ve asked for it because they want the news.

• Think through what you want to say. Find the 3 most important bits of information and try to have a fact or two to back them up. Try rehearsing beforehand how to get these 3 points across clearly and succinctly. If they ask you other questions that aren’t relevant or are an attempt to divert you - say ‘I’m not here to talk about that - I’m here to tell your listeners..’.
• Remember it’s not just what you say but how you say it. You need to sound suitably passionate, intelligent and knowledgeable. Don’t swear, don´t shout and don’t rant. Short firm sentences will get you a long way!
• If you’re worried about the interview, ask to see the questions in advance.
• In a recorded interview, you can ask to give your answer again to make it clearer.
• If you’re on the radio or TV, get someone to tape you and then sit down and honestly appraise it, but don’t give yourself too hard a time. Would Joe Public who knows nothing about the subject have understood.
• You’re perfectly entitled to refuse to give interviews to journalists who are likely to twist what you’re saying against you.