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| A
word about involving the media |
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Obviously
promoting your activities via the local media (press, TV or
radio) can open a huge promotional audience to you. However,
things are not always as simple or straight forward as they
seem! Remember at all times, the media are a very powerful
force and you cannot control what they say or present. They
have the ability to edit and present 'sound bites' or quotes
out of context. Even worse, if they do misrepresent you or
your group gaining redress from them is seldom immediate and
an apology almost never gets the same level of exposure as
the original article or feature! Most often, people remember
the original storyline, but not the later apology. |
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| Promotional
methods you could consider |
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The
biggest considerations you are going to have to take into
account when developing your strategy will be the amount of
funds you have available to you and the degree of help you
can expect from others to get things done. |
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| Given
these constraints you might like to look at: |
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Exhibition
Boards
- going out and buying such equipment is likely to be
well beyond the capacity of most small groups, but could you
borrow boards from another organisation you work alongside
(such as the local council). You could then make up your own
display material and arrange to 'tour' this display around
the local area. Venues you might approach to host this exhibition
could include:- |
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- Doctor's
surgeries
- Local
libraries
- Local
supermarkets
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The
key is displaying such material is to find venues where people
are congregating together in groups or large numbers. If you
think of yourself in such a situation, possibly waiting at
a GP's surgery. how long is it before you have read anything
and everything to hand, just to pass the time?! Some of what
you have seen and read will stay with you. |
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It
might even be worth investigating whether a local Community
Network TV system is/has been introduced into the local area.
These network systems are installed in such venues as surgeries
and supermarkets and provide promotional opportunities from
both public and voluntary sectors. This would be worth investigating,
as you might be able to secure a small short static screen
display on such a system, hopefully for free! |
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Posters
- If you can't get access to such items as exhibition
boards then producing small A4 sized posters could be a cheap
alternative, but do remember to get permission before you
start putting them up. |
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You
must also be aware that 'fly posting' is illegal, take care! |
