1. How to use Community Business Weekend 2018 to promote your community business
Thursday 11 April, 12.30pm

2. Kicking off with a poll
How much experience do you have pitching stories to journalists?

3. Local people, local power
Community Business Weekend 2018 will champion the power of local people.
It aims to showcase what is possible when local people take action to improve their local community.
There will be lots of national PR around the campaign, and we have already agreed a partnership with the Mirror.
The more activity we have taking place locally, the stronger the message nationally!
We have lots of resources to help you do this.

4. PR support and activity in your regions
Resources to help you with your own promotion:
Template press release for you to promote your event/activity, available from the website
Suggested social media posts and infographics are also available
Our regional representatives to offer PR advice

5. Press Release template
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[LOCATION] COMMUNITY BUSINESS CHAMPIONS THE POWER OF LOCAL PEOPLE
[Business name] hosts [event, e.g. family fun day]
This bank holiday weekend [business name] in [location] is joining 300 other community businesses around the country to celebrate the third annual Community Business Weekend.
Aimed at shining a light on the 7,000 community businesses across England, Community Business Weekend offers a unique opportunity for local people to visit and see how they can get involved.
On [date], [Business name], which has been community-owned since [year], is hosting [insert details of event and how local people can get involved].
[Name] from [business] said:
“Insert brief quote about why you are getting involved in the weekend and calling on local people to support you and come and find out what you do.”
ENDS
Notes to editors

6. Letter To Editor template
Championing the power of local people
Every day tens of thousands of people go to work at one of the 7,000 community businesses in England. Hundreds of thousands of us shop, visit or benefit from them directly, yet they are still relatively unknown.
That’s why Power to Change is once again organising Community Business Weekend (4-7 May 2018, #CBwkd18) to shine a light on these community-powered gems that not only bring much needed services and spaces to a community but boost local economies and reinvest the profits for the benefit of local people. Pubs, libraries, housing, shops, farms, transport, and renewable energy are just some examples operating across [REGION].
The Weekend is a unique opportunity for community businesses to invite local people to see behind the scenes, understand how they can get involved in running a business for community good and have a say in local decision making.
Visit to find out more.
Yours sincerely
[NAME] – [REGION] representative
Community Business Weekend 2018

7. What makes a good story? Are you running an event over the weekend?
Will you have a VIP visiting? What will be on offer for attendees?
Will the Weekend mark the first event/moment of its kind in your area? e.g mass community breakfast or launch of a new product
Is your community business unique in some way?
Do you know local stakeholders who could comment on your story/business to provide a third party advocate for what you do?
Who are the people/characters behind the business?

8. Practical tips for pitching and contacting journalists
Give plenty of notice
Use the resources available e.g. template press release, social media graphics
Identify your local media outlets (including local radio)
the press release and follow up with a phone call
Decide who your spokesperson is and offer interviews
Invite journalists along and offer a photo opportunity and interview on the day
Offer exclusive press visits where appropriate
Approach via social media
Contact your regional representative if you have any questions

9. PR on the day
Ask journalists to let you know if they’re coming along or sending a photographer
Have spokesperson available to talk to them and photo opportunity planned
Take your own photos for sending to press and sharing on social media
Use social media at your event/over the weekend #CBWkd18 #LocalPeopleLocalPower - encourage attendees to post as well

10. Claire Andrews Hoole Community Centre

11. Tips for a good photo
Think about what you want to shoot before your event
Include people enjoying the event
Get the names and ages of people you take photos of (remember to get their consent)
Visual of the business e.g. front of pub.
Don’t be afraid to use posed shots
Rely on natural light as much as possible-outside photos ideally
High resolution

12. Linking with other community businesses
Check what other community businesses are doing in your region
Regional spread/feature
Get ideas for your own event
Check out the website for who’s doing what!
Talk to your regional representative if you can’t see your local community businesses on the map - there may be others who are registered

13. How we are supporting the campaign nationally
National PR will focus on giving people more power in their communities
Headline: growing number of people have concerns about their local area and want to take action to improve it
2,000 people have been surveyed across the country
We also need lots of community businesses to give us their views too
We will share the release and key stats for you to add to do your own press release on story
Partnership with the Mirror: double-page spread planned to promote the Weekend

14. Key dates for your PR diary
By 13 April - Remember to complete the CBW survey which will feed into our national news story.
By 23 April - Let us know if you would like to get involved with national media story-providing a quote for the press release or speaking to journalists
23 April - Send your press release to media.
30 April - Remind journalists and ask if they’re attending.
4 May - We will share the national release and stats for you to use locally.
4-7 May - Share social media posts and photos.
After the weekend/your event - Send photos to your local media. Update your regional representative with good news.
[Social media posts promoting your story/event can be scheduled from now]

15. Time for a poll
Do you feel more confident now about pitching a story about your community business to your local media?

16. Questions?

17. Regional representatives: contact details
Heather Rogers (East Midlands): /
Ian Morton (North West / North East): /
Nancy Platts (London / South East / East): /
Sarah Colombini (South West / West Midlands): /
Victoria Dickson (Yorkshire & Humber): /