Media and Publicity Tips

The following tips will help you attract local media coverage of your women’s ordination event.

PREPARATION

Designate a “media spokesperson” to make contact with local television and radio stations, newspapers, and churches in your community.
Prepare a press release. Use the one provided here as a template, and include date, time and location of the event, and quotes from the media spokesperson and background information on women’s ordination.

Maximize available resources and connections. Identify and contact religion editors at local papers. Collaborate with others who work for church renewal and social justice and ask to use their press contacts.
Send out the Press Release. Contact reporters using their name since they are more likely to read an email or fax if it is addressed to them. Follow-up with a phone call the next day to see if it was received.
Always add a “local hook.” Contact local papers and people who have local shows, especially on the radio — the local NPR affiliate is a good resource.
Contact press at least two weeks before the event, and follow up with reporters three days before the event. Mention the visuals at your event that will be good for photographing.
Communicate your purpose concisely and repeatedly to the media. Avoid negative language and statements. Use WOC’s Top Ten Reasons and the Fact Sheet as talking points.

Prepare a press packet. Include your original press release, a copy of the liturgy, and information on women’s ordination and your local group.
Have the media spokesperson available to speak to the media, wearing a ribbon or name tag so she is easily identifiable. She should be provided with talking points. The press should be directed to the spokesperson when they arrive.

Send letters to the editor. Designate people to write and send letters in support of women’s ordination after the event has been covered in the paper.
Support the media spokeperson of the event Since she may have gotten in the news, and thus spoken out publicly for women’s ordination, offer your congratulations and supportive feedback.