Index:
Media relations
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One key to good media relations is planning. A second key
is to see the media, whether radio, television, or print, as partners
instead of enemies.
- To promote your church and its ministries, know the elements that
make a good story: special occasions, anniversaries, overcoming adversity,
unique ways that you address common problems, spectacular successes,
ministering across barriers and in partnerships -- these are some
of the possibilities. Know who to contact at your local newspaper/television
or radio station, and in what format he or she likes to receive your
news releases. Ask about what makes a good story for them. Respect deadlines. Write a professional news release.
Include a phone number (someone must be available to answer the phone,
so don't put the office phone unless you live there!). Let them know
if there are good opportunities for photos or video-- animals, children,
group events, pageantry, for example -- and if there are any limitations
on photography/videography. You can follow up with a phone call. Don't
be discouraged if it doesn't get in -- ask why, to learn, and try
again. Thank the reporters when they do report your story. If there
are factual errors, let them know so that next time (think positively!) those details will be accurate.
- Plan in advance on how to handle a crisis -- the death of a prominent
member, or a theft, or a crisis regarding the property, for example.
Who will be your spokesperson? Identify someone who will agree to
take on this important ministry. Make sure the congregation knows
who it is, so all questions can be directed to the spokesperson.
Additional resources from other dioceses:
- Western New York:
- Southern Ohio (prepared when they hosted the General Convention in 2006):
Websites
- Planning is key to any successful website; plan for maintenance
as well as content, function, and design. There are a number of
online guides to developing a church website. Two good ones to start:
- Visit the pages of other church websites in the Diocese (see
links from the parish listing) to get ideas about what might work
for you. They range from free sites to professionally developed
and maintained. Here are two very different (but both great) sites:
St. Peter's,
Hebron, a "free" site that is well maintained; and
St. Paul's, Fairfield,
which has its own domain and is also well maintained.
- The diocesan director
for communication & media can help answer questions, and
can visit at your church to talk about websites, media relations,
or other related topics.
- If you work in communications for an Episcopal organization, seminary,
agency, parish, cathedral or diocese, consider joining the national organization
of Episcopal Communicators.
The group meets annually to network and attend workshops. There is also
an awards competition.
- A parish communicator's eNewsletter was launched in Feb. 2008. Sign up for it below (be sure to join the Parish Communicator's list); click here for links to past issues (after February 2008).
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