Media Tips for Busy Activists

​Many community groups work hard on raising awareness, but our efforts are not yielding the results we hope for. Local activists share their tips for getting press attention. Mary Moore (90 year old activist) says you need to build a relationship with reporters. Be persistent. Explain to them why this story/issue/event is important. 

• Start sending out media advisories letting the press know about your event one month ahead of time. Send a press release 1-3 days prior to your event.
• Weekly & Monthly papers need even more lead time; find out when they go to press so you have correct timing on sending out information.
  
• Develop as many personal relationships as you can with journalists. Personal relationships are always more successful than anonymous ones.
• Note which reporter(s) have written about the topic your organization is working on, and follow them on twitter. Respond to their tweets. Build a relationship with them on social media so they know and trust you when you send out releases.
• Send the press release to reporters who have previously written articles about your cause or issue. The reporter is more likely to bring the press release to the attention of the editor and request to cover the story. 
  
• Calling is not necessary or even welcome. Don't do it unless you are sending a press release too close to the deadline. In that case, a call may help bring the press release to the attention of the editor in time. Even if it annoys the editors or reporters, it's sometimes the only way to get media attention. 
• Keep notes on media contacts with information about who they are, what they cover. This will help you build a relationship and keep track of information. ​

Local Newspapers and Radio Event Calendars

In many cases, you can list your event online on local event calendars. Listing on an event calendar is no guarantee of media coverage. But it's an easy thing to do to get the word out. 

1. Press Democrat - Events Calendar - click + Add Event on right side. Petaluma Argus-Courier is owned by the same company and shares the same calendar. May not include events outside the county. ​
2. North Bay Bohemian - Add Event (free weekly). 
3. WaccoBB.Net Events - Click Post To at upper left. 
4. Peace & Justice Center of Sonoma County - email calendar of local community events. Email your event info to:   ​[email protected]
5. NextDoor.com Events - Click Add Event in upper right. 
6. Sonoma County Gazette - Events Calendar. Get submissions in by 3rd week of the month for inclusion in the upcoming month's issue. Event listings on the web accepted year round (no deadline). 
7. SRJC Oakleaf - student weekly newspaper. A great way to get students involved. 
8. Sonoma State Star - student weekly newspaper. Another way to get students involved.
9. KPFA - contact them and be ready for a phone interview. This will not only reach Sonoma County residents, but others outside of the county who support your cause.
10. KBBF - super responsive to the community. A great way to reach the Spanish-speaking community. 
11. Sonoma West Calendar - SonomaWest Publishers own the The Healdsburg Tribune, The Windsor Times, Sonoma West Times & News and Cloverdale Reveille. 
    

Local Newspapers and Radio Press Contacts 

Press Democrat
pressdemocrat.com/contactus
Newsroom, 8:30 a.m. to midnight       707-526-8585                                    Newsroom Fax# 707-521-5330
Managing Editor
Ted Appel
[email protected]

Bohemian
Editor: Daedalus Howell, 707.527.1200, ext. 202
Reporter: Will Carruthers, 707.527.1200, ext. 250 [email protected]
https://www.bohemian.com/northbay/AboutUs/Page
​
Sonoma County Gazette
Amie Windsor, [email protected] 
sonomacountygazette.com/contact-us
Monthly paper: Submit by 3rd week of the month for inclusion in next month's issue. 
​The web edition is updated throughout the month, with material that doesn't fit into the print edition pages and items that readers send in to keep readers informed all-month-long.

KPFA Radio
Send press release to [email protected]
Kris Welch has been very responsive - try her at [email protected] . 

KBBF Radio
Super responsive to the community, and a great way to get announcements out to the Spanish-speaking community. The general email address:  [email protected]
​Women's Spaces - KBBF Radio show loves to interview women.
Elaine Holtz  [email protected]

Sonoma West
SonomaWest Publishers owns the The Healdsburg Tribune, The Windsor Times, Sonoma West Times & News and Cloverdale Reveille.
Ray Holley, Managing Editor
[email protected]       

SJRC Oak Leaf
The weekly student newspaper for the Santa Rosa Junior College
theoakleafnews.com/contact

Sonoma State Star 
The weekly student newspaper for Sonoma State
 www.sonomastatestar.com

Petaluma Argus Courier
Petaluma related news only; or people from Petaluma doing things.
Publisher & Interim Editor
Emily Charrier, [email protected]
707-776-8450
www.petaluma360.com/contact-us/?ref=footer

Sonoma Index Tribune
City of Sonoma or Sonoma Valley news only, or people from Sonoma Valley doing things.
Editor & Associate Publisher
JASON WALSH, General News and Editorials
(707) 933-2734
[email protected]
www.sonomanews.com/contact-us/