PRIME TIME: A GUIDE TO GETTING THE WORD OUT

1. PRIME TIME: A GUIDE TO GETTING THE WORD OUT

2. WHAT WE’LL COVER • Why it’s important to promote the program • Humanities Washington’s role in promoting Prime Time • How to reach out to media in your area • Other ways to get the word out • The key messaging behind Prime Time

3. WHY PROMOTE THE PROGRAM?

4. WHY PROMOTE THE PROGRAM? • Could attract the attention of new funders

5. WHY PROMOTE THE PROGRAM? • Could attract the attention of new funders. • Show city council and other civic leaders you’re doing good work

6. WHY PROMOTE THE PROGRAM? • Could attract the attention of new funders • Show city council and other civic leaders you’re doing good work. • Promote goodwill from patrons and the public

7. WHY PROMOTE THE PROGRAM? • Clarification: The goal of getting the word out is not to recruit families

8. ROLES IN PROMOTING • Humanities Washington promotes Prime Time as a whole through e-blasts, social media, our website, print magazine, and blog

9. ROLES IN PROMOTING • Humanities Washington promotes Prime Time as a whole through e-blasts, social media, our website, print magazine, and blog. • We provide resources (like a press release template) to libraries for promotion

10. ROLES IN PROMOTING • Humanities Washington promotes Prime Time as a whole through e-blasts, social media, our website, print magazine, and blog • We provide resources (like a press release template) to libraries for promotion • Library coordinators have strong community ties. Can promote their local series by reaching out to local newspapers, on social media, and through other channels you might have (newsletters, e-blasts, etc). Not to mention talking it up to your network and friends

11. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER

12. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • Who should you contact?

13. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • Who should you contact? • First question to ask: Do I know anyone? Or know anyone who knows anyone?

14. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • Who should you contact? • First question to ask: Do I know anyone? Or know anyone who knows anyone? • If not, is there a reporter who has covered your library’s events in the past?

15. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • Who should you contact? • First question to ask: Do I know anyone? Or know anyone who knows anyone? • If not, is there a reporter who has covered your library’s events in the past? • Finally, is there an education reporter at your local newspaper, or someone who covers community events?

16. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • How to contact? • Email vs. phone

17. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • How to contact? • Email vs. phone • Subject line: “PITCH:”

18. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • How to contact? • Email vs. phone • Subject line: “PITCH:” • Short email---ok to be personal and a little informal. Briefly explain the program, and state that if they have questions to contact you.

19. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • How to contact? • Email vs. phone • Subject line: “PITCH:” • Short email---ok to be personal and a little informal. Briefly explain the program, and state that if they have questions to contact you. • Attach a press release

20. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • How to contact? • Email vs. phone • Subject line: “PITCH:” • Short email---ok to be personal and a little informal. Briefly explain the program, and state that if they have questions to contact you. • Attach a press release • Follow up via email a week later

21. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • When to contact? • Flexible, but generally good in the middle of the program

22. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • When to contact? • Flexible, but generally good in the middle of the program • Encourage them to come on the last day

23. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • A reporter might:

24. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • A reporter might: • Want to talk to you, the storyteller/scholar, a parent or child

25. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • A reporter might: • Want to talk to you, the storyteller/scholar, a parent or child • Want photos

26. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER • A reporter might: • Want to talk to you, the storyteller/scholar, a parent or child • Want photos • RARE: Ask how the program is funded

27. CONTACTING A NEWSPAPER

28. SOCIAL MEDIA • Facebook/Twitter

29. SOCIAL MEDIA • Facebook/Twitter/Instagram • Celebrate the first day or last day of the series

30. SOCIAL MEDIA • Facebook/Twitter/Instagram • Celebrate the first day or last day of the series • Share a photo

31. SOCIAL MEDIA • Facebook/Twitter/Instagram • Celebrate the first day or last day of the series • Share a photo • Say that you’re excited about adopting the program, point to Humanities Washington for more

33. OTHER AVENUES YOU MIGHT USE • Newsletter

34. OTHER AVENUES YOU MIGHT USE • Newsletter • Story about the program

35. OTHER AVENUES YOU MIGHT USE • Newsletter • Story about the program • Profile of storyteller or scholar

36. OTHER AVENUES YOU MIGHT USE • Newsletter • Story about the program • Profile of storyteller or scholar • Piece written by the storyteller/scholar about their experience

37. OTHER AVENUES YOU MIGHT USE • Newsletter • Story about the program • Profile of storyteller or scholar • Piece written by the storyteller/scholar about their experience • Compile poignant or funny quotes from kids

38. OTHER AVENUES YOU MIGHT USE • Newsletter • Story about the program • Profile of storyteller or scholar • Piece written by the storyteller/scholar about their experience • Compile poignant or funny quotes from kids • E-mail/e-blast

39. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Prime Time encourages:

40. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Prime Time encourages: • Families to read and discuss books together

41. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Prime Time encourages: • Families to read and discuss books together • Critical thinking in children

42. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Prime Time encourages: • Families to read and discuss books together • Critical thinking in children • Library use among children and families

43. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Prime Time encourages: • Families to read and discuss books together • Critical thinking in children • Library use among children and families • Thinking of reading as a celebration, building positive associations with literacy

44. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Emphasize what makes Prime Time stand out from typical library story time:

45. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Emphasize what makes Prime Time stand out from typical library story time: • The scholar—asking questions actively and analyzing deeper themes and meanings within the text

46. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Emphasize what makes Prime Time stand out from typical library story time: • The scholar—asking questions actively and analyzing deeper themes and meanings within the text

47. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Emphasize what makes Prime Time stand out from typical library story time: • The scholar—asking questions actively and analyzing deeper themes and meanings within the text • The discussion aspect

48. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Discover stories and talk about successes, such as:

49. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Discover stories and talk about successes, such as: • Prime Time has been rapidly expanding in Washington State

50. TALKING ABOUT PRIME TIME • Discover stories and talk about successes, such as: • Prime Time has been rapidly expanding in Washington State • Librarians have seen families return again and again to the library after a Prime Time event