| JUNE 20, 2013 -- Understanding how the media works, what makes news interesting to the pubic, and how to make the news is valuable knowledge for any Grange. Favorable media exposure means recognition in the community, acknowledgement of Grange activities, services and accomplishments and a higher profile of your Grange among potential members.
So, how does your Grange get into the news? The key to media coverage can be simply explained as a two-step process: developing the right story and delivering it to the right media.
Although all media outlets search out and welcome all types of news stories, television, radio and print each have their own unique qualities that will affect their interest in your story.
PRINT: What makes the print media unique is its ability to provide in-depth commentary by publishing longer news articles. Basically, print publications provide the most important details of a story, where as radio and television only provide the snapshots or the fast facts of a story.
RADIO: Radio may not be a first choice when it comes to news coverage but when speed counts, radio, just like television, has the advantage of being able to produce and air a broadcast report minutes after news breaks. When radio is not covering breaking news, it gets most of its news stories from local, regional and national print publications. Another advantage of radio is that morning-drive and rush hour shows often have large followings and loyal listeners.
TELEVISION: Television’s strength is its ability to blend pictures with storytelling to create a compelling and visual broadcast. It also can produce and air breaking news stories moments after it occurs, as well as extend across boundaries by covering news in other states and countries while bringing live broadcasts from those areas to its local viewers.
With the ever-expanding 24/7 online and traditional media world, reporters and journalists are hungry for authentic original sources and stories. Why shouldn’t these stories be about your Grange?
Pitch yours professionally, and you have a chance at media coverage and reaching many more people than you ever thought possible.
Contact Terri or Bob with your questions at information@ctstategrange.org or publicrelations@ctstategrange.org.
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