Be your own publicist – 5 steps to achieving local media coverage
Want to get the word out about your fundraising event? Here are our top tips for talking to your local press and media.
Approaching your local media with a story about your fundraising event or challenge is a great way to spread the word about Parkinson’s UK. And you might even get some donations or attract more people to your event.
Here’s our advice on how to go about it:
1. Create a press release with all the key details a journalist will need to cover your story.
In short, a press release is written information that you can email to your local media to get them interested in covering your story.
Don’t worry! You don’t have to be an amazing writer. We’ve created press release templates that you can fill in.
Download your press release templates
Template for a completed running, walking, cycling or swimming challenge (Google Doc)
Template for a completed skydiving, abseiling, wing walking or zip line challenge (Google Doc)
Template to publicise the success of a fundraising event (Google Doc)
Template to publicise the success of a business, school or group event (Google Doc)
Template to publicise the success of a golf club fundraising event (PDF, 265KB)
You’ll also need to find or take a good quality digital photo to send with your press release. This will dramatically increase the chances of your local newspaper covering your story.
If you have any problems filling out the template or need advice please email [email protected].
2. Find the details of your local media
You can find out the telephone number for your local newspaper and radio stations online. Go to their website and have a look.
If you can’t find the number on their site try Googling, for example, ‘Northampton Chronicle telephone number’ and the number will come up in the search results.
3. Give them a call and ask to speak to the ‘news desk’.
Tell them that you are a local person doing some fundraising for Parkinson’s UK and think they might be interested in your story – briefly run through the key details.
4. Tell them that you have a press release and photo you can send them.
If it’s a radio station (and you would be happy to!) say that you are available for interview too. Make a note of the email address they ask you to send your press release and photo to, and then pop it over to them to have a look at.
5. Done!
If they're interested, they’ll cover your story – so there’s no need to call or email them the details again. Although they might get back in touch with you to check a detail, or to arrange an interview or professional photo. Make sure you respond quickly if they do (the same day if possible) or they might lose interest and decide not to cover your story after all.