Getting media coverage

(A condensed version of Getting Press Coverage)

Look out for interesting posts on your group that might make a story - for example, a member organising a wedding using Freegle, or furnishing a whole flat.

Watch for unusual items (and start a list), and also for very big things, e.g. cars or caravans: these stories may interest your local paper. Have a look at the Quote Bank page for a list of unusual items that have been offered on Freegle groups.

Photographs: when something unusual is offered, ask if the people will take a photo of it - or of the handover - or tell the local paper about it.

Start a gallery on your group's home page and invite members to submit photos of 'stuff' (and keep the photos for media enquiries).

Monitor posts over a set period to create a 'top ten' of most popular offers, to use in press releases.

Occasionally you'll be sent template releases from Freegle that you can adapt for papers in your area by inserting local details.

Create a contact list of media. Note publication dates and copy deadlines, so you don't submit a story at the last minute.

When you ring, ask for 'editorial' or the newsdesk, and after briefly explaining your story, offer to send more information by email. It doesn't need to be a formal press release.

Prepare your story

When writing for the press, keep it simple and use plain English. Keep your sentences short and to the point.

Include your group's website address, a quote, and your contact details for further information.

If you've typed more than one and a half pages of A4, it's probably too long!

If there's information you can't work into one and a half pages, add it at the end in a section called Notes to Editors.

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