getting publicity for your astronomy club dave finley public information officer national radio...
TRANSCRIPT
Getting PublicityFor Your Astronomy Club
Dave FinleyPublic Information Officer
National Radio Astronomy ObservatorySocorro, NM
Outline
● Why Publicity?● What to Publicize● Media to Target● Press Releases● Talking to Reporters● Becoming a Media Resource
Who Am I?
~15 Years Journalism
Media Relations For:
PIO For NRAO Since 1992
Miami HeraldScience Section
Southern Cross Astro SocietyAlbuquerque Astro Society
Press Releases, Press Conferences,Telescope Dedications, etc.
Photo: M. Hanson, NSF
Why Publicity?
● Build Membership
● Gain Support in Community
● Expand Educational Audience
● Promote Scientific Literacy
What to Publicize
● Star Parties
● Astronomy Day
● Meeting Lectures
● What's in the Sky
● Science Fair Prizes, Judging
● Anything You Want the Public to Know!
News Media to Target● Newspapers● TV● Radio● Tourist Guides● Campus Publications● Other Clubs' Newsletters● Web Sites● Targets of Opportunity
Press Releases
● Tell Your Story● Journalistic Style● No Jargon● Use Quotes● Timing: Know Deadlines● Email: Plain Text (ASCII) No Attachments● Hardcopies at Event● Images: Put on Web
Elements of a ReleasePodunk Astronomical Society100 Main Street, City State ZIPwww.podunkastro.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2005
CONTACT: Joe Scribe, Secretary (800) 555-1212
Podunk Astronomers Hosting “Star Party”
The Podunk Astronomical Society invites the public to enjoy spectacular telescopic views of Mars, Jupiter, star clusters, galaxies and other celestial wonders at City Park on Friday, November 4, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
More detail, quote from club president, etc.
...
###
Letterhead
Release Date
Contact Info
Headline
Lede(Very Important)
Rest of Body
End Marker
The Important Stuff(Who What When Where
Why How)
Less ImportantStuff
(Background)
ExpendableStuff
Inverted Pyramid Syle
How a News Story Should Be Written
Talking to Reporters
Presume No BackgroundIn Astronomy/Science
There Is No Such ThingAs 'Off the Record'
Talking to Reporters
● Keep it Simple● Spell for Print Media
● Answer Question You Wanted● For TV/Radio: Sound Bites● Make Your Quotes Punchy, Interesting
Becoming a Media Resource
You have members who know more about astronomy than anyone in your local news media
Your club can provide:
Advice on sky viewing for public
Local Angle for National stories
This Keeps Your Club Visible to Public
Summary
You're doing newsworthy things
Publicity can benefit your club
Media people often hungry for news
Write interesting press releases
You can become local expert for media