Media List Tips
- Check your local library or bookstore for media directories of daily and weekly newspapers, television stations, radio stations, newswire services, Internet news outlets, magazines, newsletters, and business trade publications in your community. Some examples of media directories include Bacon's directories, the Yellow Book, and Gebbie's All-In-One Directory. Use the phone book or the Internet to supplement your list.
- Once you have developed a list of phone numbers and addresses, call each outlet to verify the information and to determine which editors and reporters are the most appropriate for your news, such as history or architecture.
- For each media outlet, create a list with the following information: name of media outlet, address, telephone number, fax number, and the names and titles of specific reporters or editors who cover your issues.
- Today, most reporters and editors prefer information to be e-mailed to them; therefore, always ask for an e-mail address. When calling to verify contact information, you also should ask about the best time to call each reporter about your event (i.e., how far in advance/what time of day).
- Be sure to include specialized media on your list, such as African-American, Hispanic/Latino, or other minority newspapers or radio stations. Other specialized media you may wish to include are university/college newspapers; television and radio stations; small community papers or neighborhood newsletters; and publications/newsletters produced by local partner organizations.
