Tips for Contacting the Media

When contacting the media, keep these things in mind:

• Know what you're going to say before you call. Having a few key points to cover (not a script) will help.
• Identify yourself: “Hello, this is Mary Jones with ABC Credit Union in Macon.”
• Describe concisely the event or issue you want to promote. Be prepared to give the details of an event, and why it is important: "We're going to have the mayor and a few city council members attending the opening of our new branch at XYZ High School on Thursday. This is the first financial institution in our town that has ever had a branch at a school. This branch will serve the students, teachers and parents by receiving deposits and by offering monthly financial literacy seminars. It will be a great addition to our community. We hope you can send a reporter and photographer to cover the event.”
• Or you can ask a question: "With the Fed lowering interest rates today, would you be interested in talking to someone from our credit union who can explain how the Fed's action will benefit local consumers?"
• Have all critical information on hand: Who, what, when, where, why, contact persons, facts.
• If you're calling about an upcoming event, have a media advisory already prepared that you can email to the reporter or editor. If you are following up on a news release already sent, have that available for your reference.
• Thank the person for his/her time, and be sure to leave your name, phone number and e-mail address.