A news alert is a free service that monitors the web for new content based on specific keywords or phrases. When Google finds content related to your search, it sends you an email notification. You can set up as many alerts as you want, and you can adjust their settings, such as the frequency of notifications and whether to include blog posts, news articles, video or scientific research.
Media coverage communicates a message to the public, and it can boost your company’s credibility while making you stand out from competitors. Media coverage is important for businesses of all sizes, including community organizations. It can be especially helpful for small, rural communities where communication is limited and the local press often has a more in-depth perspective of what’s happening in their area.
For example, a small town in Illinois with 40,000 residents might have a local community paper with a focus on school districts and student activism. Local newspapers of record, with a wider circulation than community papers, might also cover these events and issues in a more expansive way.
When writing media alerts and press releases, provide reporters with information about your story that is unique or noteworthy. Make sure you explain how your organization is connected to the community or issue, and give reporters the opportunity to contact someone from your chapter to discuss further details. It’s best to provide a single contact person, who is the go-to person for reporters and can answer questions about the event or initiative.