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Getting Publicity For Your Astronomy Club. Dave Finley Public Information Officer National Radio Astronomy Observatory Socorro, NM. Outline. Why Publicity? What to Publicize Media to Target Press Releases Talking to Reporters Becoming a Media Resource. Who Am I?.
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Getting Publicity For Your Astronomy Club Dave Finley Public Information Officer National Radio Astronomy Observatory Socorro, NM
Outline • Why Publicity? • What to Publicize • Media to Target • Press Releases • Talking to Reporters • Becoming a Media Resource
Who Am I? ~15 Years Journalism Miami Herald Science Section Media Relations For: Southern Cross Astro Society Albuquerque Astro Society PIO For NRAO Since 1992 Press Releases, Press Conferences, Telescope Dedications, etc. Photo: M. Hanson, NSF
Why Publicity? • Build Membership • Gain Support in Community • Expand Educational Audience • Promote Scientific Literacy
What to Publicize • Star Parties • Astronomy Day • Meeting Lectures • What's in the Sky • Science Fair Prizes, Judging • Anything You Want the Public to Know!
News Media to Target • Newspapers • TV • Radio • Tourist Guides • Campus Publications • Other Clubs' Newsletters • Web Sites • Targets of Opportunity
Press Releases • Tell Your Story • Journalistic Style • No Jargon • Use Quotes • Timing: Know Deadlines • Email: Plain Text (ASCII) No Attachments • Hardcopies at Event • Images: Put on Web
Elements of a Release Letterhead Podunk Astronomical Society 100 Main Street, City State ZIP www.podunkastro.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2005 CONTACT: Joe Scribe, Secretary (800) 555-1212 Podunk Astronomers Hosting “Star Party” The Podunk Astronomical Society invites the public to enjoy spectacular telescopic views of Mars, Jupiter, star clusters, galaxies and other celestial wonders at City Park on Friday, November 4, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free. More detail, quote from club president, etc. ... ### Release Date Contact Info Headline Lede (Very Important) Rest of Body End Marker
Inverted Pyramid Syle The Important Stuff (Who What When Where Why How) Less Important Stuff (Background) Expendable Stuff How a News Story Should Be Written
Talking to Reporters Presume No Background In Astronomy/Science There Is No Such Thing As 'Off the Record'
Talking to Reporters • Keep it Simple • Spell for Print Media • Answer Question You Wanted • For TV/Radio: Sound Bites • Make Your Quotes Punchy, Interesting
Becoming a Media Resource You have members who know more about astronomy than anyone in your local news media Your club can provide: Advice on sky viewing for public Local Angle for National stories This Keeps Your Club Visible to Public
Summary You're doing newsworthy things Publicity can benefit your club Media people often hungry for news Write interesting press releases You can become local expert for media