Foundation Directory Online now has country, zip code, and metro area searches. Trend Tracker, a new addition to the Foundation Center web site, lets you compare foundations and quickly create charts, graphs and tables. Here's a .pdf I made comparing 3M Foundation to the McKnight Foundation.
A new free e-course, Introduction to Fundraising Planning, has also been added to the web site. More info on these developments here.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
PROGRAMMING IS NOT A NEW THING . . .
According to the new biography Schultz and Peanuts, Charles Schultz was inspired by this exhibit at the St. Paul Public library in 1934:
"Having peered at every panel in the exhibition, [Schultz] went home, eager to test himself against his predecessors."
Maybe someone who went to the graphic novelist panel last October will be similarly inspired.
--Andrea
Monday, December 03, 2007
BASIC MEDIA TRAINING FOR COOPERATING COLLECTIONS
This teleconference was about how to promote the Foundation Collection and how to talk to the media. The instructors were from Fenton Communications, a public relations firm that specializes in non-profits.
The press release is the standard form for new products or events which the media is used to receiving. The Foundation Center has templates that libraries can adapt for their own use. Here are some tips:
• Remember to think of your target audience and localize the information.
• Using a quotes about how the collection helps people is good. Press release authors often create a generic quote and submit it to the relevant person so that they can put it in their own words.
• Avoid jargon that members of the general public wouldn't understand.
• Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the best days to send out press releases.
• Don't send press releases as attachments or spam filters may block them.
• Calling a reporter and "pitching" a story to them makes it more likely that they will print it.
• Do research on which reporters cover similar stories.
• If you have public relations staff, approach them with an idea and they can refine it.
When speaking to the media, here are some things to remember:
• Write what you want to say first.
• Do a "practice interview" with staff.
• Be concise.
• If the interviewer goes on a tangent, bring the conversation back to what you want to talk about.
• Remember, you are providing a service and giving them important information.
The press release is the standard form for new products or events which the media is used to receiving. The Foundation Center has templates that libraries can adapt for their own use. Here are some tips:
• Remember to think of your target audience and localize the information.
• Using a quotes about how the collection helps people is good. Press release authors often create a generic quote and submit it to the relevant person so that they can put it in their own words.
• Avoid jargon that members of the general public wouldn't understand.
• Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the best days to send out press releases.
• Don't send press releases as attachments or spam filters may block them.
• Calling a reporter and "pitching" a story to them makes it more likely that they will print it.
• Do research on which reporters cover similar stories.
• If you have public relations staff, approach them with an idea and they can refine it.
When speaking to the media, here are some things to remember:
• Write what you want to say first.
• Do a "practice interview" with staff.
• Be concise.
• If the interviewer goes on a tangent, bring the conversation back to what you want to talk about.
• Remember, you are providing a service and giving them important information.
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