MEDIA MATTERS Effective Media Relations Stacy Clopton Yates

Things you need to know…  What and Who You’re Dealing With  What you Want

Know Who You’re Dealing With  For-profit entities Specific mission and goals  Diverse Assignments Editors Reporters PSA Directors

Know What you Want Awareness—  Mission, Activities & Accomplishments  Needs Advance publicity  Fundraisers  Volunteer Training Event Coverage Your Side of the Story

Get Ready to Get What You Want  Know Your Media  Create Banks

Know Your Media  Visit, call or Introduce Yourself Contact Info Deadlines

Create Banks  Faces  Experts

Means to Getting What You Want  Write Effective News Releases  Learn to be a Good Interview  Plan Media Friendly News Conferences  Keep Up With Current Events

The News Release  KEEP IT SIMPLE! WHAT WHO WHEN WHERE CONTACT

The News Release The One and ONLY Friends of Amarillo Public Library Book Sale of 2008 Begins Thursday! When:Thursday, April 17, 4-9 p.m. FRIENDS ONLY Friday, April 18, 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where:Amarillo Public Library Central 413 S.E. Fourth Ave. Contact:Stacy Clopton Yates Public Relations Coordinator (office) ● (cell) ● For many book lovers from Amarillo and across the panhandle, the Friends of the Amarillo Public Library’s two annual book sales are not to be missed. This year, because of planned renovations to APL Central, the Friends will sponsor only one book sale. The sale begins with a “Friends Only” night on Thursday, April 17 from 4 to 9 p.m.. The sale is open to the general public on Friday, April 18 from 12 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The only book sale of 2008 will be a “brown bag” sale, in which patrons may purchase books for $5 per bag. The Friends of Amarillo Public Library will provide bags, but patrons are also welcome to bring their own brown paper bag. Amarillo Public Library’s PR Coordinator Stacy Yates cautions that assistance carrying bags to patron vehicles will be extremely limited. “With just one sale in 2008, we expect this year’s sale to be busier than ever. While we will do everything possible to assist patrons with their purchases, book sale customers should not count on having someone available to carry purchases to their cars.” The Book Sale is a major fundraiser for Friends of the Amarillo Public Library. Proceeds go to support library programs including the Summer Reading Clubs and AMARILLO READS. For more information, contact Stacy Yates at

A Good Interview  Plan your Message  Keep it Short  Speak in Complete Sentences

Media Friendly News Conference  Two Audiences  One on One Interviews  Think Visual

Keep Up with Current Events  Court Says Dollar Design Discriminates Against Blind There are no tactile features that would make it possible for a blind person to distinguish bills.  U.S. Ads Push Patients to Shop for Hospitals The Bush administration launches a $1.9M ad campaign urging patients to check a government website before choosing one.  Sesame Street Makes a Place for Military Families Muppets Elmo and Rosita learn how to cope with having parents in the military in a new Sesame Street DVD.

Your Side of the Story  You’re Already Telling It  Don’t Try to Kill the Story  Use Your Banks

Final Thoughts  DO say thank you.  DON’T tell media professionals how to do their jobs.  DON’T try to trick the media.

Media Matters