Publicize an Event!

Publicity Checklist

1. Write a press release describing your event and send it to 50waysrockbridge@gmail.com so we can add it to our newsletter and calendar (see a sample press release at the end of the checklist).

2. Send the press release to all or some of our local print newspapers (see contact info at the end of the checklist). Include a short note in the body of the email asking them to print the release if there is room and attach the release in an editable form (not a pdf).

3. Put the event in The News-Gazette Calendar. Deadline Friday noon for following Wednesday edition. (Darryl Woodson, editor: editor@thenews-gazette.com) This is only for community events, NOT political events. The Gazette will only run political events in a paid ad. HOWEVER, it can’t hurt to try! (sample calendar event at the end of checklist)

4. Set up a public Facebook Events page. Ask your sub-committee members to invite their friends and mark themselves as going. This will show the event on their friends feeds. Update the page several times with new info and photos to keep the buzz going. Share the page with the 50 Ways Rockbridge Facebook group page.

5. Make a flyer. 8 ½” x 11” is a practical size. Be creative and eye-catching. Make it by hand or with a free graphic design website like Canva. If possible scan and save it as pdf and jpg. Use the pdf for printing and the jpg for Facebook and inserting into emails.

6. Print the flyer. Use a home printer for a small run without much ink. James Allen Printing is good for ink-heavy flyers or runs of more than 75. You can email them a pdf or take them the original to copy on their color copy-machine. Please request funding from the 50 Ways-Rockbridge Board before printing if cost is an issue.

7. Post the flyer on bulletin boards at our local businesses, churches, libraries, and universities. Remember to cover the county, BV and Glasgow.

8. Email an invitation to friends (perhaps using the flyer as a jpg in the email) and ask friends specifically to forward the invitation to their friends!