How to prepare, present and promote your unique narrative. SHARING YOUR STORY NOTE: To change the image on this slide, select the picture and delete it. Then click the Pictures icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. How to prepare, present and promote your unique narrative.

WHERE DO YOU START? Build a digital footprint – online and social media. Create and maintain an active media contact list. Share your mission. Be authentic.

BUILDING YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT It’s important to have an online presence, connect with people digitally, further your mission in digital spaces and enhance your access to resources.

START THINKING OF YOUR AGENCY AS A BRAND Anything you do on a public platform should promote and strengthen your brand and mission. When your agency name comes up, what adjectives do you want associated with it? Professional Transparent Service minded Caring Creative

BUILDING YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT Create a basic website. State your mission clearly! Keep it simple, but visual & informative. Make it donor and volunteer friendly. Tie the site to social media. Website Set up basic profiles. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube. Post pictures, videos, events & volunteer opportunities. Social Media Ask clients to rate and review you. Solicit friends, family, volunteers, etc. Online Reviews

CREATE & MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE MEDIA CONTACT LIST The media is a powerful tool that can help you spread your message and mission to the masses.

CREATE & MAINTAIN MEDIA CONTACT LIST Traditional Media –TV/Radio/Newspaper Digital Publications Local Magazines Community Websites Bloggers/Social Media Influencers

MAKING A PRESS RELEASE Answer the 5 Ws: Who What When Where Why

PRESS RELEASE – EXAMPLE 1

PRESS RELEASE EXAMPLE 2 Write a headline that captures attention. Be clear about the video and picture opportunities or include them as attachments. Be prepared to respond quickly to media inquiries.

Share your mission It’s important to keep your mission at the forefront. Make it bold and make it clear at all times.

Make Your Mission Clear Help people make the connection What need in the community is your agency servicing? What vulnerable group is it helping? How can you reduce stereotypes? How do you get people not directly involved to care? How can you get them to donate regularly?

How to Prepare for a TV News Interview/Story Be prepared to be on-camera. Block out 20-30 minutes. Choose a time where you can focus. Ask the reporter for story guidance or questions in advance to prepare. Have a designated place to do the interview that is visual and clutter free. Provide opportunities for quality video and pictures to support the story. Offer support material – recent studies, statistics, etc. Be natural & brief in your delivery. Limit or consolidate shout-outs!

How to Prepare for a TV News Interview/Story Arrange for additional interviews with people who can convey authenticity or real-life perspective. The more voices in the story the better! Make your agency’s mission and any calls to action clear. Provide a business card and contact for follow up questions after the interview. Establish yourself as a subject matter expert and build a relationship for future stories.

Be authentic People relate to authenticity more than anything else. Building a human connection and being genuine goes a long way.

Tips for successful social media posts Include an image or short video (less than 90 seconds). Make the text brief, but interesting. Proofread it to ensure there are no errors. Be prepared to engage people. Tag people or groups that you have alliances with. Issue a call to action. Boost posts if budget allows.

Tips for successful social media posts Consider capitalizing on trending topics, southern culture or popular produce seasons to highlight your mission and community work. Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility during searches. Examples: #foodbank #donations #shoplocal #freshfood #localproduce #locallygrown #farmers #farmersmarket

From Basic to Better – How to easily enhance social media posts “It’s peach season!!! Get them directly from Scott’s Orchard or at Whole Foods Market. When you’re out shopping, look for the Alabama Grown sign! If you don’t see it at your favorite grocery store, kindly ask for more locally grown produce!” Include a caption. (see example above) Tag Affiliates: Whole Foods Market & Scott’s Orchard Use Hashtags: #peaches #freshproduce #locallygrown #shoplocal #farmers

Relatable = Reaction

Behaviors to Avoid SOCIAL MEDIA Extremely long posts with text only. Spelling errors. Grammatical errors. Rants – personal or political. Outdated contact information. Slow response to questions/messages. (consider turning them off if you can’t check regularly) ON-CAMERA Looking directly at the camera. Chewing gum. Wearing sunglasses. Slurring words. Not being accessible during a crisis situation or damage control. It’s important to be open & transparent at all times!

Questions PLEASE ASK! 