Meet the Press – and Make the Most of it

A primer for getting great publicity for your program – without spending a dime

Today’s media landscape

How today’s media landscape can benefit your organization

• Fewer reporters trying to fill the same space• More ways to get your message

across• Cheaper technology

How to build relationships with the media

• Meet as many reporters, editors etc. as possible• Make editorial visits if

appropriate• Become a local expert

Give the media what they want & what they need

• Think like a reporter• Find the hook/angle• Understand the difference between

reporters and editors• Pay attention to the local, state and

national news agenda around hunger

Differing needs of different media

• Newspapers• Television• Radio• Online

Steps for presenting your story

• Find the hook• Consider opposing views• Discuss with partners• Choose direct approach/general press release• Write out clearly with salient facts• Send to media• Follow-up call

Prepping for an interview

• Ask for time to think but be aware of deadlines• Consider the audience, opponents’

views• Sum up your message in a sentence• Have 3 or 4 supporting points

Tips for appearing on radio

• Remove noisy jewelry• Energy! Smile!• Speak at a normal, conversational pace• Speak in full sentences• Keep answers to 30-45 seconds• Don’t use phrases such as “as I said earlier”• Make sure you interact with other guests

Tips for appearing on television: dress

• Avoid clashing with the set• Top-half clothing is more important• Avoid small repetitive prints• Plain, matte fabrics (in bright or jewel colors)• Jackets look professional and give a clean

outline• Avoid noisy jewelry

Tips for appearing on television

• Don’t sway or move about constantly• Sit up straight• Try to sit or stand at an angle to the camera• Keep hair off your face• Gesture a little • Make eye contact with whomever/whatever

you’re told to look at

Questions to be ready for

Some tricky questions you may be faced with – here’s how to answer them well…

Criticisms of ASMSPs & Summer Food

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Other Tricky Questions

• Questions you don’t know the answer to• Questions asking you to speculate• Questions asking you to express a personal

opinion• Questions with an obvious, but

uncomfortable, answer• Questions designed to provoke conflict• The same question, repeated

Where else can publicity be obtained?

• Your own social media• Local social media pages• Local blogs• Corporate newsletters• Public Service Announcements/Local listings• Media partnerships• Google AdWords