THROUGH PRINT

Newspapers, magazines, and newsletters offer an effective way to spread the word about the campaign. Begin by creating an accurate, up-to-date media list with the names, titles, addresses, and telephone/fax numbers of daily and weekly newspapers in your area -- including shopper's guides, city or regional magazines, and wire services. Check with your school's administrators to see if they already have a list like this and, if so, request permission to use it to promote the campaign. Nonprofits in your community may also be willing to share their lists as well. Keep the entire list in a database so you can easily print mailing labels.

Using our Campaign Press Release as a template, create your own press release highlighting your local efforts to support the campaign. Here are some tips on how to write a press release:

• Begin with your Media Coordinator's name and contact information, so if the publication has any questions or would like to schedule an interview, they will know who to contact.
• Always be sure to answer the who, what, why, when, where and how.
• The first paragraph should capture the reader's attention and each subsequent paragraph should be written in the order of declining importance, as most editors start cutting from the bottom.
• Format the release so it is double-spaced with wide margins, only use the front side of each page.
• If the release is more than one page, be sure to write "continued..." at the bottom of the first page.
• Indicate the end of your release by including a "###" beneath the final line of text.

If any photos of the event are used for publicity, make sure to obtain release forms from all individuals in the photos. If the photos are of minors, only their parents can legally grant such permission.