A news alert is an announcement that aims to grab the attention of journalists and media professionals. It is a type of media advisory or press release and can be used to promote anything from an event, to a new initiative your chapter is working on to a partnership with a business.
A well crafted news alert can help you get more exposure in the local media and beyond. With every publication vying for your reader’s attention, being the first to break a story can be a huge differentiator. The past year and a half has provided numerous breaking news worthy moments with natural disasters, elections, and of course the pandemic and Covid19. It is important to continually monitor and evaluate your alerts and adjust them to reflect viewer and journalist habits and preferences.
Keep it Short
Especially for breaking news stories, alerts and releases need to be concise, clear, and compelling. The most effective headlines are usually only a few words long and include the “Ws” (Who, What, When, Where) of the story. Avoid using jargon or Church-specific terminology, as these will be less likely to be understood by your audience.
Provide your contact information in the media alert or release and include one person from your chapter to serve as a go-to source. Journalists will often follow-up on your alert and it is helpful to have a specific contact person they can reach out to. Providing names, phone numbers and email addresses will help them quickly connect with the right people in your chapter to learn more or speak with you about the story.