WHAT IS NEWS?

Ask yourself:

Is my issue important to the majority of the people in my community?

Is it new?  Is it fresh?

Remember, stale news is like stale bread. It doesn’t sell.

Is your interest unique?

Is it a first?  The biggest?  The best?

Remember, reporters and editors look for issues and stories that rise above the ordinary.

Does your issue have a human angle?

Does it tug at the heartstrings or cause a chuckle?

Remember, readers appreciate human interest.

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LOCAL ANGLE

Remember that word….”local”

Focus on your audience

Remember the smaller newspapers

For information about North Carolina newspapers -

COMPONENTS OF A GOOD STORY

Proximity to audience: An incident or success story that happens in your own community is of more interest than one occurring elsewhere

Consequence: Ongoing problem that seems to have no resolution, a multitude of children in an abusive situation, or a wave of fatalities would be of more interst to the community than a false alarm

Prominence: If the mayor shoplifts, that would be of large interest to the community because the mayor is an elected official whom the community citizens put in office in good faith.

Human Interest: Presenting the facts in a way your readers can relate to them is a good way to write a story.

Timeliness: Unless it is an unusual circumstance, if an incident happened last year, it is old news and of no interest this year. However, an incident that occurred a year ago that was not brought to light and was allowed to fester and grow can maintain its newsworthiness for months after it is revealed.

Basic Bs for Better Publicity

Be your beat reporter’s main contact with the right person at the paper

Be quick to establish personal contact with the right person at the paper

Be sure to write everything down

Be prompt in meeting deadlines

Be legible. Correct errors.

Be accurate. Double check dates, names, and places before you submit your copy.

Be brave. Don’t be afraid to suggest something new if you honestly believe you have a workable idea. Editors welcome original ideas when they’re practical and organized logically.

Be professional. Never try to obtain publicity through the pressure of friendship or business connections.