Media Guide Resources
Media Guide for WIA affiliated clubs
Every successful organisation gains publicity for its activities. While getting publicity in the news media is not that difficult it does require some planning and the right approach to get the best results.
Each club needs a person who will be its spokesperson, someone who can talk knowledgeably about the club and their event or activity, and suitable to be photographed or even interviewed on television. The WIA has produced a Media Kit that will greatly assist with obtaining media coverage.
Most clubs will have least one local weekly newspaper, and a community radio broadcast station.
In other areas may also be local ABC radio and commercial stations too, or even regional TV. All of these media outlets welcome local news if it is supplied to them in a professional manner. It needs to show them what the story is about, how it should be of interest to their readers or audience, when and where it is happening and who to contact for more information if required.
Providing all of this in a concise form can be done through the WIA Media Kit, which contains a Media Release template and instructions, and background information on the WIA and Amateur Radio. In planning your club event, consider how to make it look the best visually and if it is a public event, have a couple of members greet visitors at the door to explain what is happening and offer them any help they need.
When to send the Media Kit
If you want the public to attend your event then the Media Kit should reach your local media two weeks prior, in time for it to be published before the event. Send it too early and it may be forgotten and too late risks missing deadlines or there being no-one available to cover the story.
Where there is no public event and just a public awareness campaign then send the material off to the media. Make sure driving directions or any special instructions are included in the media release.
Take care with follow up phone calls
It is okay to phone your local media outlets to ask if they have received the Media Kit. If they say no, then ask for their name and promise to send them a copy. If they verify having the kit, then ask "Is this something that could be of interest to you?" But don't push them for a commitment to cover the story. Keep in mind that there may be other priorities on the day so don't pester them to attend or be disappointed if a reporter fails to attend.
Clubs most often have their own photographer and a good professional standard photo with the results of the event can be sent to the local newspaper and may result in a story. This needs to be done promptly so you don't miss deadlines. Of course a report on the event will be needed for the club newsletter, website or Amateur Radio magazine as well.
Prepare for media interviews
Your spokesperson should be prepared to be interviewed over the phone, by a reporter with a recorder in hand, or if there's local television, in front of a TV camera. This is not a difficult task but the best results are achieved with some advance planning. Think about the key or very short important messages you want to give about the event and the club.
Write these down and rehearse them. This practice will help you sound knowledgeable and helpful to the reporter in their job of writing a story, rather than appearing unprepared and disinterested. Avoid jargon and use plain language.
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