GO WILD IN SEPTEMBER - Gaining publicity to attract volunteers.

GO WILD IN SEPTEMBER

"Gaining publicity to attract volunteers"

The aim of BVCP in issuing publicity is to take an overview of the event and support conservation groups in the area. It is very much hoped local groups will maximise the opportunity "Go Wild in September" presents to generate publicity for their own group and their need/or request for volunteers help.

BVCP will:

Prior to start of September event:

Give A4 page in main BV News (print run 10,000, distributed throughout Valley) to "Go Wild in September" event and group days taking place.
Include information on Blackwater Valley website.
Issue Valley wide press release and make all local media aware event is taking place with all event details.
Organise a photo-shoot to launch the event.
Encourage local radio and television to cover event.

During September event:

BVCP will issue a valley wide press release and pictures midway through the event.
Will take out adverts detailing events taking place.
Will issue end of event press release and pictures.
Employ photographer to take a range of photos at events across Valley.

After September:

BVCP will release a full colour Volunteer Newsletter (with pictures) covering the "Go Wild in September" activities and details of local groups and will distribute to usual mailing list, includes volunteer bureaus and libraries.

The press will already have been briefed about the "Go Wild" event and will be expecting to be contacted by individual local groups during the month. There are certain standard pieces of information that should be included on any press release issued from groups at this time.

LGs should include in press releases:

The words "Go Wild in September" and "Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership" and the "01252 331353"telephone number for further details of events taking place throughout the Valley. It interviews take place this should also be mentioned
The "Go Wild in September" logo should be included on all press releases. Will be supplied in e-mail format for groups prior to September to insert into press releases.
In the event of sponsorship being gained for the event the name of sponsor. Each local group will be supplied with an e-mail version of this logo to insert into releases. If interviews take place this should also be mentioned.
If producing posters to advertise a local group "taster" day, please put the Go Wild logo on the poster and the title of the whole event "Go Wild in September".
BVCP are hiring a photographer during the event but they will not be able to cover all tasks. If groups can take some pictures of the "Go Wild" taster day they are running BVCP would like to include a picture from every taster day in special follow up newsletter. You will also have some current pictures you can use in follow on press releases you may issue.

Below is further general information on writing press releases and posters. We know your probably all experts at this - but it has been supplied just in case anyone requires further help.

A good press release is an art. Luckily it's not hard to learn.

All press releases should be about something newsworthy - the practice of sending out press releases about nothing in particular does not work, and it is better to not bother. Think about what you are writing. Would you want to read it in the newspaper or hear it on the radio?
All press releases should be double spaced, with wide margins.
Press releases should look good, and not be scrappy or untidy. Presentation matters, as does spelling.
Press releases should have the words "PRESS RELEASE" written large upon them, to make it clear what it is.
The practice of using an "Embargo" date or time, often recommended as standard, is not sensible unless there is a good reason, eg if you are publicising an speech due to be made by a dignitary, and releasing the text in advance.

EXAMPLE PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

A snappy title

This is the text of the release. The first few lines must get the attention of the reader. Use short sentences.

Site Manager Michelle Chadwick said:
"Use quotes, they're great!" Write in simple English and do not use jargon. Refer to places and organisations by full titles, not initials or abbreviations. For example, do not say "The Council" or "BDC" but "Borsetshire District Council".

Break up the text with paragraphs.

Topics ideas:
Interesting angle on what makes your site special, work your doing, why people bother volunteer to look after it, social aspect of volunteering, health aspect "green gym", why you need more volunteers. Never go on for more than one page.

Try to end on a high(ish) note:
"We all had a good laugh," said Michelle, "when we saw the draft press release!"

RELEASE ENDS

Further information: Title of event, short description (<6 words), location, time, date, at least two contact names and phone numbers which should be contactable any time - even your home number or mobile number if necessary.

Photo opportunity: location, time, date.

In addition you should consider including a sheet of "Information for Editors".
Why not construct a special sheet and include on it who you are, what you do, why, your great achievements, brief history, sponsors, important species/habitats and so on. This then saves you from filling up every press release with this stuff, helps you to keep the actual release down to one page (so important), and also makes sure that the editors get used to the message and maybe even remember it from one month to the next.

(Taken from Naturenet site)

Posters

Posters should have a one or two word message clearly visible from 10m or further, such as "Guided Walk", "Ghost Walk", "Dormouse Day" or whatever. In smaller print have perhaps 10 words of further description date, time, place and a phone number. That should do it. Do not make a poster too detailed. A4 posters are cheaper and more popular with shopkeepers. If you have the means, why not do some A4 and some A3, so you have a choice. If you can afford it, laminate a few of them for outside display. One colour (eg black on coloured paper) is also usually fine.

Posters should normally go up 10 days to one week before the event, and come down immediately afterwards. Put posters up in shops and anywhere else suitable, depending on the sort of project you are doing. if you can, put a poster or two close to the walk starting point. If it is visible from the road, this is even better.

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