Getting 'Free Press' for Free
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Transcript of Getting 'Free Press' for Free
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Getting 'Free Press' for Free Letters to the Editor Op Eds Press release Working with
the Media Q&A
“For a politician to complain about the press
is like a ship's captain complaining about the sea”
– Enoch Powell
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Libertarian Communications Failure #1Throwing the Book at Them
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Libertarian Communications Failure #2Felony Label Grabbing
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Libertarian Communications Failure #3Insulting Your Audience
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Libertarian Communications Failure #4Not Knowing the Issues
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Libertarian Communications Failure #5Not Listening
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Letters to the Editor
Most effective tool to promote libertarian ideas
Most read part of newspaper No filter, VFR direct to readers
Research newspapers guidelines & stick to them.
Do not use boilerplate or form letters. Weeklys welcome “fresh” views & articles
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Technical Points
Use website or email (letter in body) Do not send handwritten letters. Type them:
2X or 3x space, 1 side, 1page Include name, address, day-time phone
number Hand delivery, meet staff
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How to Write
Be positive. Don't get personal, attack. That's what Republicans & Democrats do
Focus on ways America will be better with small government – don’t dwell on wrongs
Sell liberty. Appeal to self-interest. Don't preach & expect sudden conversion
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Identify & Focus
Identify with social goals of issue – show how those goals can never be achieved by government, but will be well served in a free society.
Keep returning to the central point: how much better off the individual will be in a free society.
Give practical examples. Show me.
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What to Write About
Reply to editorials & op eds Best use: discuss a local issue. Pick issue important to you – don’t be afraid
of passion If refuting article – do it now
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LTE Style
State argument you're rebutting or responding to as briefly as possible
Stick to a single subject Don't be shrill or abusive Logical organization: Define issue, give your
argument, present evidence. Close Use facts, figures and expert testimony
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LTE Final Thoughts
Proofread carefully for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Sit on it 24 hours View letter from reader's perspective. Be persistent Write
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Op Eds
Expanded LTE Rebuttal op ed 500-800 words Same guidelines LTE “Credentials” help Discuss with editor
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Press Releases
Not college paper, thesis or speech A press release is a resume Source of information or news tip Be prepared for reporters questions Newspaper, TV & radio need different things
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Press Release Format
Inverted pyramid Use newspaper style Slug Strong lead 5 Ws&H 400-500 words For more information information
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Press Release Writing Tips
Key points first Use quotes Use clear, concise, vivid language Short sentences & paragraphs Check grammar, spelling, punctuation Be timely, meet deadlines
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Working with the Media
Be not afraid Nothing's "off the record" Don’t feel obligated to accept reporter’s facts
and figures Don’t answer hypotheticals Don’t be afraid to ask a reporter to repeat a
question Answer question reporter does not ask
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Working with the Media
Be friendly Interview is opportunity to educate Make your answer relevant Be honest, straightforward Use colorful language, clear examples Don’t be badgered or harassed Beware of buzz words. Don’t let reporter
put words in your mouth
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Summary
LTEs most effective way to communicate libertarian ideas
Op eds are expanded LTEs Press releases are resumes Avoiding reporters does not communicate
libertarian ideas Feed the media Be not afraid
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“Were it left to me to decide whether we
should have a government without
newspapers or newspapers without
government, I should not hesitate a
moment to prefer the latter”
- Thomas Jefferson