Telling Your Story
Telling Your Story
The Best Part
We’re Afraid
Positive Stories
Build Relationships
Step One
Step Two
Your Message You are NOT announcing what your organization is doing. You are announcing what the audience can do because of your organization.
Your Message ◦ You = Individual or Community
◦ New = Activity or Feeling
Your Message ◦ New product ◦ New program ◦ New event ◦ New resource ◦ New location
Your Message ◦ Feel excited ◦ Feel proud ◦ Feel safer ◦ Feel sad ◦ Feel worried
What to Avoid
“We exist”
Press Release
You are not the reporter.
Press Release • Direct • Clear • Straightforward
• To the point
Headline 1. Your organization
2. Action verb 3. Present tense 4. Your point
Headline 1. Your audience
2. Action verb 3. Present tense 4. Your point
NOT a Headline!
NOT a Headline!
Lead Sentence Entire story in one sentence. If the reporter stops reading, at least they know what you had to say.
NOT a Lead!
NOT a Lead!
The Body ◦ Most important information first ◦ New details in every sentence ◦ Reporter could stop reading at any point and understand story
The Body Quotes ◦ NOT FACTS ◦ Say it out loud at least once! ◦ If possible, quote two people
NOT… right at all!
Step Three
Event Planning When to host an event? ◦ Funding Announcement ◦ Groundbreaking & Ribbon-cutting ◦ Launch Party
◦ Open House ◦ Meet Beneficiaries
Build Pride
Build Pride Express Thanks
Build Pride Express Thanks
Raise Awareness
Build Pride Express Thanks
Raise Money
Meet face to face with reporters and elected officials
Photos, Photos, Photos! Step Two
Multipurpose ◦ Social Media ◦ Website Updates ◦ Newsletters & Annual Reports ◦ Conversation Starters & Fundraising Pitches
The Best Part
We’re Afraid
Positive Stories
Build Relationships
Step One
Step Two
Your Message You are NOT announcing what your organization is doing. You are announcing what the audience can do because of your organization.
Your Message ◦ You = Individual or Community
◦ New = Activity or Feeling
Your Message ◦ New product ◦ New program ◦ New event ◦ New resource ◦ New location
Your Message ◦ Feel excited ◦ Feel proud ◦ Feel safer ◦ Feel sad ◦ Feel worried
What to Avoid
“We exist”
Press Release
You are not the reporter.
Press Release • Direct • Clear • Straightforward
• To the point
Headline 1. Your organization
2. Action verb 3. Present tense 4. Your point
Headline 1. Your audience
2. Action verb 3. Present tense 4. Your point
NOT a Headline!
NOT a Headline!
Lead Sentence Entire story in one sentence. If the reporter stops reading, at least they know what you had to say.
NOT a Lead!
NOT a Lead!
The Body ◦ Most important information first ◦ New details in every sentence ◦ Reporter could stop reading at any point and understand story
The Body Quotes ◦ NOT FACTS ◦ Say it out loud at least once! ◦ If possible, quote two people
NOT… right at all!
Step Three
Event Planning When to host an event? ◦ Funding Announcement ◦ Groundbreaking & Ribbon-cutting ◦ Launch Party
◦ Open House ◦ Meet Beneficiaries
Build Pride
Build Pride Express Thanks
Build Pride Express Thanks
Raise Awareness
Build Pride Express Thanks
Raise Money
Meet face to face with reporters and elected officials
Photos, Photos, Photos! Step Two
Multipurpose ◦ Social Media ◦ Website Updates ◦ Newsletters & Annual Reports ◦ Conversation Starters & Fundraising Pitches
