​How to get your story in the news 📺​ (2024)

Pitching stories to the media is a powerful way to share the impact, values and service at the heart of Key Club’s mission.

Why pitch stories?

Pitching stories to the media is like opening a window to showcase the incredible work Key Club members do within their communities. It serves several purposes:

  • Amplifying impact. Media coverage helps extend the reach of Key Club projects and initiatives, inspiring more people to get involved and contribute to positive change.
  • Building awareness. Sharing stories with the media creates awareness about Key Club’s mission and values and the importance of youth-led service.
  • Inspiring others. When people read or hear about the difference Key Club members are making, it encourages them to take action in their own communities.

Here’s how to pitch stories:

  1. Find your media outlets. Search online for contacts at local newspapers, radio and television stations several weeks before your service project or feel-good story. In the “contact us” or “about us” section, search for the reporter who covers education or youth. You also can try the “contact us” email address/link. Follow the media outlet and specific reporters on social media. And be sure to look over our brand guide.
  2. Preparation is key. Be creative and make a compelling pitch so your message isn’t lost. Identify the story angle and include visuals such as high-quality photos, videos or graphics that enhance the story. Visual content makes the story more engaging and increases the chances of media coverage. Give each member talking points to keep a consistent message. Prepare a brief description of Key Club and Kiwanis, facts about your club, number of members, service projects and contributions to local and global causes.
  3. Write a news release. Include the 5 Ws: who, what, when, where and why. Be sure someone edits your news release. Email the release and a photo to your contacts. Don’t send the release as an attachment; include it in the body of the email. Include contact information for your club. Don’t forget to include your school’s media outlet (s).
  4. Follow up. If a story runs, send a thank-you email to the reporter. If it doesn’t run, upload your story and photo to the public Facebook pages of local media. Invite your contacts to a service project or meeting and start a conversation. Offer to be a source for future stories about volunteering, service and Key Club. Best practices encourage persistence, professionalism and politeness. Always include your contact information when sending out any information or news release.

Go to keyclub.org/grouping/marketing for marketing ideas.

​How to get your story in the news 📺​ (2024)

FAQs

​How to get your story in the news 📺​? ›

Keep the pitch short and to the point. Provide detailed contact info so that someone at your end is available at a moment's notice if needed. A way to make your pitch more enticing is to give it a hook. This means tying your content into a related event or news-making happening.

How do I get my story heard on the news? ›

10 TIPS TO GET JOURNALISTS TO READ YOUR PITCH AND COVER YOUR NEWS
  1. Know Who And What You're Pitching. ...
  2. Use Email For the First Point of Contact. ...
  3. Make Your Subject Line Sizzle. ...
  4. Know The Publication's Audience. ...
  5. Find The Story in Your News. ...
  6. Be Accessible. ...
  7. Always be Helpful. ...
  8. Don't Send Attachments.

How do you get your story picked up by the news? ›

Keep the pitch short and to the point. Provide detailed contact info so that someone at your end is available at a moment's notice if needed. A way to make your pitch more enticing is to give it a hook. This means tying your content into a related event or news-making happening.

How do I submit a story to the news? ›

Most news organizations publish an email or phone number for tips on stories. Use this email or phone number to contact the press and tell them about your story. Some newspapers and magazines will list their contact information on the back or inside of the first page.

How do you get a story into the newspaper? ›

Speak to local media contacts

You can phone the news desks to ask for their phone numbers or email addresses. It's a good idea to compile a list of journalists' phone numbers, email addresses and where they work which you can use if you have a story you want to share.

How do I find a journalist to tell my story? ›

How to find journalists' email addresses or contact information
  1. Checking in a media database. ...
  2. Using email finder tools. ...
  3. Checking on the website of the media outlet or giving them a call. ...
  4. Looking them up on social media.
May 13, 2024

How do I pitch a story to a reporter? ›

In short, make your pitch personalized and recognize the interests or expertise of the journalist you are pitching to. Be specific about what you're writing and don't go off into different tangents. Then, make your pitch valuable and provide something the journalist can give as a benefit to his or her readers.

Can I sell my story to news? ›

In order to sell your story to the press, you will need to have a compelling and newsworthy angle. Start by researching publications that would be interested in your story and pitch it to them with a catchy headline and strong hook. It's also important to have high-quality photographs or video to accompany your story.

How do I get my story noticed? ›

Key Takeaways. Start a blog, submit your work to literary magazines, engage on social media, and join writer groups as practical strategies to get noticed before getting published.

How do stories make it to the news? ›

News stories can be sourced via international news agencies such as the Associated Press and Reuters, but many newspaper stories come from press releases close press releaseOfficial written statements or information sent out by companies, organisations, government departments or individuals to the media. or press ...

How can I tell my story to the world? ›

No matter what your story is, here are seven tips for telling it:
  1. Write it down. ...
  2. Read it aloud. ...
  3. Edit as needed. ...
  4. Prepare yourself for the response. ...
  5. Start with a small audience. ...
  6. Decide who you want to share it with. ...
  7. Share it.
May 13, 2019

How do I add a story to my news feed? ›

1. At the top of your Feed, tap Create story. 2. Add your photo or video.

How do I contact BBC news with a story? ›

Contact us
  1. By email. newswatch@bbc.co.uk.
  2. On Twitter. twitter.com/newswatchbbc.
  3. By telephone. 0370 010 6676.
  4. By post. Newswatch. W1 NBH 03D. BBC Broadcasting House. London W1A 1AA.

How do I sell my story for cash? ›

Where to Sell Short Stories: 7 Places That Pay
  1. Amazon KDP.
  2. The Threepenny Review.
  3. Poets & Writers.
  4. One Story.
  5. Clarkesworld Magazine.
  6. East of the Web.
  7. Flash Fiction Online.

How do I sell my story to BBC News? ›

If you'd like to share a story or contribute to BBC News you can contact the BBC News team directly via text, social media or email. If you would like the BBC to investigate a story, you'll find a form at the bottom of the Have Your Say FAQ page.

How do I publish my story? ›

Here are the three main routes authors take:
  1. Submit your story to a literary magazine. If you have one short story you want to publish, consider submitting it to a literary magazine, either in print or online. ...
  2. Submit a story to a competition. ...
  3. Post your story to a website or blog.

How do you sell a story to the news? ›

In order to sell your story to the press, you will need to have a compelling and newsworthy angle. Start by researching publications that would be interested in your story and pitch it to them with a catchy headline and strong hook. It's also important to have high-quality photographs or video to accompany your story.

How can I get my story told? ›

Become familiar with the media outlets and reporters you want to target. Find out what they have covered in the past and who their audience is. Make sure your story isn't something that was just written about a month or two ago. Call and find out what their deadlines and lead times are.

How do you get a news story taken down? ›

Requesting removal or amendments directly from the website that published the article. This is often the quickest and most cost-effective solution, but not all websites will comply. Pursuing legal action for defamation or invasion of privacy to obtain a court order for removal.

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