Part one of the nonprofit media relations guide discussed background steps to prepare a nonprofit media relations strategy. Part two covers how nonprofits can communicate with media.

Communication Tools for Nonprofit Media Relations

Face-to-face meetings – The best way to build relationships with the media is through face-to-face communication. Try taking a local reporter out to lunch – it may be the best $20 investment your organization can make (you may get a little media training out of the meeting too).

Fact sheets and issue briefs – These documents provide a concise, clear and effective way to provide key messages and information about your nonprofit. Fact sheets may be included in press kits.

News releases – Releases are the most common and conventional way to disseminate information to the media. They are a formal communications tool that may present an angle or story about your organization and its work.

Social media releases – Similar to traditional media releases, but with more integrated social and multimedia content. CNW(Canada), MarketWire (US), RealWire (UK) and PitchEngine offer social media release options.

Twitter – Social media networks like Twitter are becoming increasingly popular to build relationships with reporters and manage media contact lists.

Event release or invite – Offers details about a fundraising, community-building or professional development event related to your issue. Eventbrite is one popular tool.

Pitch letter – Similar to a news release, but less formal. A pitch letter provides key messages and suggests a story that a journalist might write.

Telephone and email – Call or email reporters to pitch story ideas. Journalists prefer to be called in the
morning or early afternoon. Be accountable and ensure that you meet journalist’s deadlines.

Op-eds, reaction statements and letters to the editor – Submitting an opinion piece or a letter to the editor is a way to raise the profile of an issue covered in the media or draw attention to an story your organization wishes to address.

Newsletters – Sending out a quarterly newsletter is an effective way to provide up-to-date information about your organization and build a community of interest around your issue. MailChimp, Campaigner, AWeber and Vertical Responseare popular newsletter options.

What other tools have you used to communicate with media?

Finally, our teen wolf star is flapping his feathers and starting in the movie the maze runner. Note that before this movie was created the maze runner eBook (link available below) was first. Written by James Dashner. Full emphasises the awesomeness that has now made it to the big screen from PDF Reading Sanctuary.

The very Basic Plot of The maze runner is that he was dropped in the middle of some unknown are with walls resembling mazes and he plus a small group must try to find their way out alive. Actually the trailer does a great job of summarizing the pdf.

Source: www.readingsanctuary.com/james-dashner/the-maze-runner-pdf/