How to Create a Media Kit

Have you been volunteered to manage your club or organization's publicity? The following tips will help almost anyone get their organization publicity.

Purchase supplies needed to compile the kit. A folder, typing labels and if needed stationery is all that is needed.

On a separate piece of paper write down key goals. Be sure to include the five "Ws" in the news release: who, what, when, where and why.

Once the goals have been clarified, write a rough draft of the news release. Keep the news release brief as editors and reporters work on quick deadlines.

Edit the news release.

For the final copy, at the top left corner, type in the following:

• Contact: Insert Name of Contact
• Telephone Number: Example: 555.555.555
• Release Date: Type in the word "Immediate" or you can embargo the news release by typing in a later release date. Double space and start writing your news release. At the end of the news release, in the center of the page, type ### or 40 to show the news release has ended.

Set the news release aside, if you have time, for one final edit.

Take photos, if appropriate, and insert them in the folder. A two-envelope folder is good for this as you can put the news release on one side and the photo on the other. You can also include a disk with the information, if you know the format used by the local media. The disk can include the news release and photo, if desired. If this is done, include a hard copy of both the news release and photo along with the disk.

Type the name of your organization on the typing label. Place the label on the front of the folder.

• Insert the final news release.
• Mail or drop off the completed package.

Below is the outline for a SAMPLE news release:

• Be sure to center the ###
• The three ### (hash marks) show the news release has ended.

{||Contact: Jane Smith

Release Date: January 1, 2005|-|align="center"|WikiHow Plans Jan. 2 Tea|-|Founder Jane Smith announced Friday WikiHow is the fact finding leader on the web. She said her organization was founded last year to help other netizens find information on the web. Her group takes pride on allowing fellow netizens to share their knowledge through their fact-based web site.

To honour the people who have participated in this web writing project, Smith says her company is offering a tea on Jan.2, 2005, at 22 Apple Drive, starting at 2 p.m. Cost of the function is free and all participants are welcome to attend. For more information call 555.555.555.|-|align="center"|###|}

Tips

• Research and list media contacts on a separate piece of paper.
• Try to send a personal media package to the appropriate editor or reporter using the contact list.
• If possible, email, FAX and mail copies of the news release package.
• Keep the news release brief.
• Send news releases out two weeks in advance. Can send a follow-up brief news release, if needed.
• Follow the media's stylebook, if known. Most newspapers, but not all, use the AP Stylebook.