Once you've chosen the date, place, topic or purpose, scheduled local speakers -- you are ready to publicize the public event(s) locally. Attracting early press interest may help you get expanded media coverage for the event(s). If you develope a media strategy early on, perhaps your event coverage will be a culmination to a series of articles about the issue of drug war imprisonment in the weeks leading up to the event.
Journey for Justice: Washington, DC 2002
Develop a relationship with the media early in your planning. Getting press and television news coverage isn't as hard as a person might think. Write a news release.
You want as many people as possible to attend this meeting, rally, or public discussion.
Submit detailed information for inclusion on the event schedules, this can include planning meetings. Don't miss attracting local or national media attention.
Post flyers or posters in local businesses and areas where people gather regularly. You don't want the public meeting room to be empty because you didn't try to attract people, a rally small because your group didn’t get the word out.
Do you have a local mailing list and budget for a mailing? Consider a flyer, and factsheet of your choosing to your local mailing list. If you are begin early, invite these people to your planning meetings. Local volunteers can make phone calls to contacts your group has collected from your area.
Record a public service announcement for broadcast over radio or cable TV.
Who are your friends on the web? Use the Internet to your advantage, remembering -- you can be the media, too.
