The LAST PAGE
PUBLIC RELATIONS ... A Couple of Things
If I'm going to do an event, go to all the trouble of dressing up, and
meet the public, I want the press to know about it.
My preference for informing them? A PRESS RELEASE.
A simple one from this Halloween is shown. This went out to a
number of Los Angeles area newspapers and television stations.
Research the media -- get addresses. Get names of reporters,
columnists, or editors you think will be sympathetic or
interested. I prefer MAIL, because you can put in an
enclosure. Some use FAXES. They're okay, but
remember, they can come
out fuzzy, and you ARE using up your target's paper supply ...
Some people use email. I don't. Emails can be
deleted.
Okay. What to say. Figure out "the
angle". "The Problem". Write it, rewrite it, hone
it, and then put it on the page.
That's the "what" ... you also have to put in the "WHEN", the
"WHERE". Remember, you have to answer the questions of "WHY"
in your first paragraphs. You have to answer an editor's key
question: "so what?"
Information about KAG, your ship, and your contact information close
the Press Release. Oh, and it should fit on ONE PAGE.
I mentioned Enclosure earlier. I stick in a busines card,
which makes it all seem more "real" ... if that's possible with a
pretend Empire with "ships" that don't fly.
The cards I hand out to those interested in KAG, but when there's no
real time to talk to them. It's up to that interested fan to
do the follow-up ... saves a lot of time and energy. They
work!
The club info takes center-stage; the ship art separates the club from
the ship info.
SO. A Press Release --- this Christmas, is your ship going to
be doing some Toys for Tots work, or visiting a senior center, or
putting in time with the Salvation Army with their kettles?
(Hmmm ... battling an Army!!) Work up a Press Release,
Klingon!
KRIS
John Halvorson
5624 Fair Ave 116
North Hollywood CA 91601
[email protected]
