Tip Sheet: Students Planning Events with Media in Mind
Let us know if you have an upcoming event. The secret to getting coverage of an event is lead-time. The more time we have to find interested reporters, the better.
When planning an event that you want media to cover, try to keep in mind:
- Schedule major events for when Congress is out of session - this way, there will be more media available to cover it. Check congressional Web sites for calendars: www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.
- Do not schedule events for Fridays due to last-minute congressional votes that the media are covering.
- Mondays and Tuesdays are ideal because the Congressional schedule is lighter and the media are more available.
- The media like to cover balanced events. When scheduling panelists, try to bring representatives from all sides of an issue.
** Disclaimer: Despite our best-laid plans, if there is a major news story on the day of your event, media may be diverted. Arrange for a video or audio tape to be made so we can send it to reporters for coverage later. Contact WCL's A-V office (ext. 4024) to make arrangements. **
