TIPS FOR INTERACTING WITH THE MEDIA
One of the easiest and most effective forms of grassroots action is to contact the media to express your views.
The media does pay attention, and you may make a real impact on the audience.
If you haven't interacted much with the media, we offer some tested advice that will help ensure that your contacts will have a positive result.
Read the Basic Steps Applying to All Forms of Communications with the Media
- Be Composed
Stay calm! One of the reasons you may be writing is because you are angry or upset. But, aggressiveness and rudeness will generate a negative reaction to whatever you say. Insulting or scolding messages will be deleted or ignored and will likely never be seen by the individual to whom they are directed. Be factual instead. If you write while emotions are running high take a break and review your statement again before sending it out or, better yet, have someone less involved look at what you've written.
- Be Clear
Get right to the point in the opening line without beating around the bush. When writing about a candidate or Wesley Clark include their name in the subject line. Be a real person. Very briefly share something about yourself: what you do, why you're interested, and how you're affected.
- Be Concise
Make it easy on yourself and the reader/audience by keeping your statement very brief. Many will not read longer statements, and rattling on and on is distracting. Making someone want to know more is good, but don't overwhelm people in facts and links. General Clark is the master of making a complex point simple, direct and short. Watch how he does it on interviews or read the transcripts.
- Be Cohesive
Get right to your main point. Don't put in irrelevant details or asides. Just say what your audience needs to know to understand your main point.
Giving Feedback to the Media (television, newspapers, magazines)
Letters to the Editor
Op-Eds (opinion editorials)
Radio Talk-Shows
