Description
All are welcome.
Limited to 12 participants
Do you work in the arts and sometimes have an opportunity to get some media attention but you don’t know quite how to do it? You want to write a news release but you don’t know exactly where to start? You have to speak to a journalist and you’re not sure how to get your message across? You want to do targeted media outreach or pitch a story to a journalist?
We saw that. That little tilt of the head and the slight leaning towards self-doubt. If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you should sign up for this workshop.
The objective of this workshop is to provide the basic tools to prepare you for undertaking media relations. Having these tools in your repertoire will do three main things: 1) ensure you get the right messages out to your publics; 2) help reduce your fear if you are intimidated; and 3) help you get the coverage you intend for your event or your organization.
What will you do for six whole hours? Broken down into three two-hour sessions, here’s what it looks like:
Session 1: Key messages and news releases
- Learn how to develop your three or four main key messages
- Learn what to include in a news release and why
- Build a model that is ready to use the very next day
- Try your hand at writing a news release
Session 2: Preparing for your interview with a journalist
- Using what you learned last week, identify and develop your three or four main key messages
- Learn how to build a comprehensive Q&A document to help you prepare for your interview
- Learn how to stay on message no matter what the journalist throws at you
Session 3: Targeted media outreach/pitching stories
- Learn how to build a credible pitch email for targeted media outreach
- Learn how to identify and target the journalist(s) you want to pitch your story to
- Participate in discussions about follow-ups and when to move on to the next journalist on your list
This workshop works best in a casual, open-discussion format. I’ll share some of my experiences with you—what worked well, what didn’t—and would love to hear from you about your experiences so far, your concerns, etc. When we start building the tools, it’s important to share our work in the group to maximize learnings and discussion. If we have time, role playing mock interviews is great practice, so we’ll try fit this in. All will be done with the utmost respect, so please feel at ease!
New in 2020-21: Needs-Based Workshop Scholarships
Fresh Pages Workshop Scholarships for BIPOC Writers and Playwrights
