Reach the Media
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Media Relations Guidelines

1. Learn to think like a reporter

• Understand what reporters find "newsworthy"
  
• Find the local angle

2. Make it easy for the reporters to get your side of the story

• Assume that reporters are busy or lazy or both
  
• Be available
  
• Make sure reporters know how to reach you
  
• Return calls promptly
  
• Be accurate and modest
  
• Be consistent
  
• Be sensitive to deadlines

3. Cultivate relationships with individual reporters

• Be friendly
  
• Be helpful
  
• Provide facts and contacts
  
• Provide ideas for stories

4. Be persistent without being a pest

• Even if the local paper ignored your last event, tell them about your next one
  
• Let them know when they make mistakes but don't accuse them of malicious intent