Working with the Media An Introduction to NAHU Media Efforts Kathryn Gaglione Region IV Meeting © 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters

Message from Legislative Dept Please let the legislative department (i.e. Laura Eldon) know about any Hill visits you have scheduled with your senators and representatives in their home offices.Laura Eldon If you need assistance from the national office with an legislative issues, please contact Dan Samson, manager of state affairs, at or Two handouts from the legislative department: –Federal Policy Priorities – 2014 –Federal Legislative Success

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Welcome to the Media Movement “The world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck.” Ralph Waldo Emerson NAHU tools on the web Building relationships with local media Utilizing social media Helping with national efforts

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters NAHU Tools on the Web The place to start

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters NAHU Tools on the Web Media Kits: writing templates organized by topic, type and for chaptersMedia Kits "How To" Media Guide for NAHU Members: training manual with detailed information on working with media"How To" Media Guide for NAHU Members Webinars: past Working with the Media training sessionsWebinars Media Tools Video: an eight-minute guide to media resources available on our websiteMedia Tools Video NAHU PR Staff: we work full time to help youNAHU PR Staff Let NAHU help!

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters NAHU Tools on the Web Localize and forward materials already available Press releases Media advisories Opinion editorials Letters to the editor Video clips Radio PSAs Advertisements Event plans Brochures

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters NAHU Tools on the Web Have the most updated information at your fingertips “Washington Update” “Media Moment” “The Leader” “NAHU News” “President’s Perspective” newsletters/index.cfm

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Building Relationships with Media Create a media list Upon request, we will search a national media database to find reporters and editors in your area. We will send you: Print media list Broadcast media list Sample letter of introduction Tips on how to keep list updated

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Building Relationships with Media Make first contact Contact a reporter by: –Sending an –Making a phone call –Introducing yourself at an event –Networking through a friend Have a specific purpose Don’t: –Send snail-mail or fax –Just “drop by” –Let a month go by without contact

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Building Relationships with Media If it’s more than six months old… Newspapers have always had a high turnover rate, and it’s only getting worse. Pay attention to bylines: Who is writing about insurance/healthcare reform? Look out for local blogs, newsletters and forums.

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Building Relationships with Media Write a letter of introduction

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Building Relationships with Media Establish yourself as an expert

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Building Relationships with Media What do you know that everyone else should too? When pitching a story idea, make sure your proposal is: Local Timely Unique Personal/Relatable

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Social Media Repost news stories and editorials Networking sites –Facebook –Twitter –LinkedIn News sites –Yahoo! –Google News –Networks Blogs –Washington Post’s Health Care Rx –Wall Street Journal’s SmartMoney

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Social Media Creating Google Alerts Organization names: NAHU, NAIC, your company Key words: MLR, exchange, agent commissions Important people: government officials, chapter leaders

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Social Media Utilize interesting—and correct—information Promote NAHU Message –Know the talking points –Pay attention to legislative updates –Read what NAHU is saying Share Information –Anecdotal information (personal stories) –Current events and what officials are saying –Real numbers from reputable studies

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Social Media Be aware of commenting etiquette Stay Positive –Everything you learned in kindergarten –Don’t be a Debbie Downer –State your credentials When to Post –Is it worth your time and effort? –Are you only posting because you’re angry? –Has someone already said it? What to Post –Be responsible in what you say –We can ask you to take it down

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters National Media Efforts In July NAHU received more than 700 press hits. So far in 2014, NAHU has received 5,075 press hits. In 2013, NAHU received more than 11,000 press hits. In 2012, NAHU received more than 7,500 press hits. In 2011, NAHU received more than 4,400 press hits.

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters National Media Efforts Get on the list

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters National Media Efforts Visit to find out what consumers are saying about the difference you make.BrokersMakingaDifference Send all stories to and encourage your clients to submit as We greatly appreciate you for helping us reach our goal and your wonderful support of NAHU! Brokers Making a Difference

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Questions? Reach out to NAHU PR staff Kelly Loussedes Vice President of PR (202) Susan Rider National Media Chair (317) Kathryn Gaglione Sr Manager of PR (202) ReDonah Anderson PR Coordinator (202)

Part 2: Putting Knowledge to Work

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Putting Knowledge to Work Plan ahead: “Knowing is half the battle”

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Putting Knowledge to Work Ready to give it a try? Turn to your neighbor and ask one of the following questions. Then let them take a turn. Why should people use a health insurance agent instead of a navigator or just doing it themselves? What should employers know about the small group exchange before open enrolment starts? Health insurance costs continue to rise even after Obamacare. What else can we do to control costs? What are some trends you are seeing with your clients, both good and bad?

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Putting Knowledge to Work Get writing

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters Putting Knowledge to Work Ready to give it a try? We are going to write a short, three paragraph letter to the editor in response to this article. Keep it simple! Introduction—reference the article as well as the statement you are responding to Thesis/position—whether you disagree, agree or think the issue deserves more attention Supporting detail—either use a solid statistic or a specific example that proves your point Call to action—what needs to happen to fix the problem