Getting PublicityFor Your Astronomy Club

Dave FinleyPublic Information Officer

National Radio Astronomy ObservatorySocorro, NM

Outline

● Why Publicity?● What to Publicize● Media to Target● Press Releases● Talking to Reporters● Becoming a Media Resource

Who Am I?

~15 Years Journalism

Media Relations For:

PIO For NRAO Since 1992

Miami HeraldScience Section

Southern Cross Astro SocietyAlbuquerque Astro Society

Press Releases, Press Conferences,Telescope Dedications, etc.

Photo: M. Hanson, NSF

Why Publicity?

● Build Membership

● Gain Support in Community

● Expand Educational Audience

● Promote Scientific Literacy

What to Publicize

● Star Parties

● Astronomy Day

● Meeting Lectures

● What's in the Sky

● Science Fair Prizes, Judging

● Anything You Want the Public to Know!

News Media to Target● Newspapers● TV● Radio● Tourist Guides● Campus Publications● Other Clubs' Newsletters● Web Sites● Targets of Opportunity

Press Releases

● Tell Your Story● Journalistic Style● No Jargon● Use Quotes● Timing: Know Deadlines● Email: Plain Text (ASCII) No Attachments● Hardcopies at Event● Images: Put on Web

Elements of a ReleasePodunk Astronomical Society100 Main Street, City State ZIPwww.podunkastro.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2005

CONTACT: Joe Scribe, Secretary (800) 555-1212

Podunk Astronomers Hosting “Star Party”

The Podunk Astronomical Society invites the public to enjoy spectacular telescopic views of Mars, Jupiter, star clusters, galaxies and other celestial wonders at City Park on Friday, November 4, beginning at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.

More detail, quote from club president, etc.

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Letterhead

Release Date

Contact Info

Headline

Lede(Very Important)

Rest of Body

End Marker

The Important Stuff(Who What When Where

Why How)

Less ImportantStuff

(Background)

ExpendableStuff

Inverted Pyramid Syle

How a News Story Should Be Written

Talking to Reporters

Presume No BackgroundIn Astronomy/Science

There Is No Such ThingAs 'Off the Record'

Talking to Reporters

● Keep it Simple● Spell for Print Media

● Answer Question You Wanted● For TV/Radio: Sound Bites● Make Your Quotes Punchy, Interesting

Becoming a Media Resource

You have members who know more about astronomy than anyone in your local news media

Your club can provide:

Advice on sky viewing for public

Local Angle for National stories

This Keeps Your Club Visible to Public

Summary

You're doing newsworthy things

Publicity can benefit your club

Media people often hungry for news

Write interesting press releases

You can become local expert for media