Working with the Media

The three basic musts to working the media is:  

• Sell human interest
• Learn to be quotable
• Follow up, follow up, follow up!
  

Newspapers/Magazines

• Get to know a sportswriter If possible, meet with them personally
• Don't forget the "lifestyles" pages; sailing news isn't only sports-oriented.
• Offer a junior sailor for an interview.
• Write well; if your news release can be used verbatim, it has a better chance.
• Provide captions with all photo, include names of people pictured.
• Give out your home and/or cell phone number; reporters don't keep 9-5 hours.
• Provide all media with rosters (include first & last names, hometowns, sail numbers; & ages if possible) so reporters/photographers can ID kids easily.

• Public service announcements (PSAs) are free; keep them short (see sample)
• Try to get guest spot on sports show (a junior sailor could be interviewed)
• Television
• Give 2-3 weeks lead time
• Give great directions to the event site
• Cater to the crew
• They want action and sound bites
• Brief competitors re. talking on camera
  

Your Media Kit
Give them what they need; don’t overwhelm them. Be sure to include: event name, site, dates; “Media Kit” w/ color photo or JO logo. In addition to:

• Very brief note or bulleted memo (why newsworthy) w/ contact name & phone
• Schedule of events/activities: What, where, when, w/ contact name & phone
• Map; participants’ info; classes of boats; brief history of your event
• Junior Olympic Sailing Facts (see reference pages)
• Sailing Demographics (see reference pages)
• Your Pre-Event News Release (see reference pages)
• Junior Olympic Sailing logo (camera-ready)
  

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