You have your message ready and you are raring to go! How do you get your stories, statistics, and request heard? Print media offer a number of vehicles you can use to get your message out.
News Releases (coming)
News Stories (coming)
Letters to the Editor
Newspapers, neighborhood newsletters, and often, publications from local, community organizations, provide opportunities for advocates to send letters in support of library services.
What should go in a letter to the editor? Here's a sample.
Hints to help make your letter effective and increase its chances of being printed:
Determine if submission rules exist and, if they do, find out what they are. For example, rules may limit the length of your letter or the way it must be submitted (paper copy, email, fax, etc.).
Read other letters that have been printed and look for common styles and lengths to get a feel for what the publishers select.
Put your main argument at the beginning of the letter and follow with supporting data and stories. That way, even if people do not read the entire letter, they still take away one important point or piece of information.
Be short and succinct.
Be respectful. Displaying anger or name calling weakens what may otherwise be a very strong argument.
Useful to know: Because it is uncommon, a child’s letter is more likely to be published.
Op-Eds
What exactly is an Op-Ed?
Op-Ed stands for “opposite the editorial page” in a newspaper and is a prose piece that reflects an author’s personal opinion on a particular subject.
Pro tip: Before drafting your op-ed piece, visit your newspaper's website to learn important details, such as: minimum/maximum word counts, preferred mode of submission and address, and other general guidelines that will help you write a piece that meets the newspaper's requirements for publication.