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Seeing Your Newspaper As Your Friend

Seeing Your Newspaper As Your Friend. Minnesota School Boards Association. August 16, 2008. Before you write your letter. Know the letter policy Focus on your message Choose your battles Get the facts; don’t guess Let the board know what’s coming Know how to best send it

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Seeing Your Newspaper As Your Friend

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  1. Seeing YourNewspaperAs YourFriend Minnesota School Boards Association August 16, 2008

  2. Before you write your letter • Know the letter policy • Focus on your message • Choose your battles • Get the facts; don’t guess • Let the board know what’s coming • Know how to best send it • Type it; don’t write it by hand

  3. The basics • Put on a title • Include name, address and phone number • Start strong; end strong • Keep it short • Tell a short story • Never attack; never repeat misinformation • Call to make sure the letter arrived

  4. The Op-ed piece • Have an opinion; be firm • How does this affect the reader • Use humor • Tackle an issue from an unorthodox view • Don’t guess on facts • Let the board know what’s coming

  5. Op-ed basics • Put on the title • Include name, address and phone number, along with photo • Start strong, end strong • Keep it short • Tell a story • A sixth-grade reading level

  6. The Editorial Board • Request a meeting • Gather facts; let board know in advance of issue • How long do you have • Who is speaking; what is their message • What equipment do you need • Never assume this is off the record • Review strengths and weaknesses

  7. During the meeting • Stick to the topic • Bring visuals if you talk about numbers; charts; handouts • Leave at least a third of your time for questions and answers • It’s OK to say “I don’t know.” • Don’t attack; don’t complain

  8. After the meeting • Send a thank-you • Follow up with any additional information you may have promised • Keep the relationship going • Ask if you can do anything to help their education reporter

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