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How To Get Your Holiday Events On The Map

To get the most publicity out of your holiday events, follow these steps:

If you have multiple holiday events, list them all on a single press release and send your release out a week in advance of the first scheduled event. Do one release for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas.

• Your press release should be no more than one page. Use bullets to note each event. Event descriptions should be very simple and should answer Who? What? Where? When? and Why? Include any celebrity names that may draw attention, but leave most details for later.

• The day before each scheduled event, send out a MEDIA ALERT with a headline and brief description of the event. Or -- even better! -- call the news department of your local TV and radio stations to remind them of the event.

• On the day of each event, assign a knowledgeable staff person to look out for media. This person should be prepared to give statistics, make introductions, and answer most questions.

• Don't wait until the media show up to look around for a client or guest who is willing to give an interview. Know ahead who is willing to be interviewed and filmed.

• Make sure your guests and clients are comfortable with the media's presence by inviting those who do not want to be on camera to move to a specific area of the room or building. During a meal, seat those who don't want to be filmed in a special area of the dining hall.

• When the media arrive, alert them briefly about your mission's policies for photos and filming. Point out the areas and guests which should not be filmed. Stay with camera people and reporters at all times.

• Request that the Mission's name and phone number be posted on screen with an invitation for viewers to call. Ask when your segment will air and post a knowledgeable staff person at the phones during that time -- day or night. If callers see the number and call in, they will not respond well to being asked to "call back tomorrow." In fact, they will NOT call back at all!

These tips will work well during the Christmas holidays and for events throughout the year. For more information about rescue mission public relations, call ENEX Group at (719) 687-7479 or (816) 741-3731.

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