How many local nonprofits have created a media kit? Getting started on filling the newsletter template with stories has shown the need for a more professional approach is connecting with the various media.
Media kits have information about the organization in a concise form so that the journalists and public relations people can write stories about you. The time they spend on any one story is probably very limited, so they need everything at their fingertips. Playing email tag for usable photos or information is a definite put-off. My recommendation is to put yourself in their shoes for a little while and go from there.
Each segment of the population focuses on something different, so when you put together a kit, consider why you are doing and what you have that will interest the recipient of the kit. Donors and foundations where you are applying for grants have different interest than a reporter looking for a story about your rummage sale.
Each organization has exempt purposes, fund raisers and the projects that rely on the funds, so consider these when you come up with brochures, news releases and handouts.
Backgrounders have the information that enables a reporter to tell the story.
Biographies and portrait photos of key people of the organization.
White papers that are scholarly information by you, the experts on the subject and problem-solvers.
The need arose within the coop for a more professional approach to media relations, and this issue allows us to consider what local nonprofits may want or need, and a great idea for a story about how we solved the problem.
Karen Holmes,
Principal
The World Peace Organization for the One World Government
http://www.oneworldgov.org
