Issue #71 Summer 2006

You've got your whole ship interested, and they're all going to dress up and play. Sweller! You want to invite everybody in the whole region to your "KAG Intergalactic Barbecue". How do you get word out? Flyers? Taping sheets onto lampposts, next to the lost dog picture? Uh....no. You use the media. First...

KURKURA'S AXIOM: "If you have to pay for publicity, you're doing it wrong". Keep your money. Share your enthusiasm, your talents, and your Klingon ego.

Three major tried-and-true media areas: Print. Radio. Television.

PRINT MEDIA. . They can, in their fine typesetting, give locations and/or directions to your BIG KAG PROJECT. After said event, they can have interviews, show pictures, and possibly give contact information. Ships can (could, and should) build a scrapbook of stuff they've done, and flop it on a recruiting table, for the passersby to peruse. Shows people that you actually DO things, and know how
to have fun.

RADIO. It's okay, but tricky. In large cities/venues, getting a blurb mentioned can be tough. Small cities or areas--easier. They can give swell directions and info, IF written out for them. Man-on-the-street interviews are usually choppy, and we don't come across so well there...unless one's ready for it, and knows what to say... Stick some Klingonaase into your spiel for fun. Have a spokesperson. Play it in character, OR speak clearly. Try not to stutter, and go easy on the "you know", "Uh", and "Like...well..." Focus, a clear head, and a sense of mission
will win the day.

TELEVISION. Boo. Hiss. No thanks! I don't "play" for the cameras any more. Took me a while to re-think TV. Any --make that ANY--use of Trek fan footage is going to be used at the end of the broadcast, with the air of "what are those goofy Trekkie geeks doing NOW?" Color commentator will say cutesy crap, and the two anchors will yuk it up with closing quotes of their own.

We cannot win that scenario, so... why play there?

AND... where to start. Invitations. PR. Publicity. Sending out PRESS RELEASES: Yeah, Baby! You give 'em ALL the info. Who, what, where--exactly, and when. Who to contact with email and phone number... Perhaps a photo of the group from an earlier endeavor attached. Scrawled--neatly, neatly!!-- in Red Ink the lovely words...PHOTO OPP. Photo opportunity. For a newspaper, that adds some spice, and might fill up room they haven't sold for ads.

The paperwork--cover letter with info, possible picture-- gets mailed to the newspaper. If they like it, if they want it, they'll call. Mail at least one week ahead of the event; the editors will make their assignments, and hopefully, the KAG piece will get the nod. Spell-check EVERYTHING.

Subsection: Magazines. Glossy stuff, and the not-so-glossy, like "Parade" in the Sunday paper. Their scheduling is different; it's summer now, so they're already at work on their fall/winter issue Plan ahead. Way ahead. Mail your PR early. Maybe you're thinking, "Well, we'll just use email." It's limp, pal. Like the difference between getting a real birthday card in the mail and one of those e-cards. Real mail shows you took the time and trouble to send the editors or reporters something they can hold in their hands. When it comes to PR, snail mail prevails.

KAGsters LOVE show off, and we of KAG are probably THE BEST when it comes to pulling off great events. So, have a good barbecue... if that's what you do. And IF you do, Fed-Ex me some brisket!!

 - KRIS

John Halvorson
5624 Fair Ave 116
North Hollywood CA 91601