Starting off

Maybe you already write to your local newspapers or would like to but not sure where to start. It really is the one of the most effective - and cheapest - way of reaching 1000's of people. And if all of us members of The Vegan Society put pen to paper - we would reach a hell of a lot more! A visit to the library is well worth the trip to check out the many helpful books on writing for the media.

Here are some helpful notes to get you started and please do not hesitate to email on Show email address. if you would like any further help or information.

1. Create your own local media contact list - full journalists and newspapers names, addresses, phone no's, fax no's , if possible e mail. This can be made from buying local papers, looking in Yellow Pages, ask family & friends - they may know about a newsletter etc that you don't. Also check out www.Yell.co.uk for newspapers.

2. Journalists want an interesting story - don't think that they are against you. Local media are less likely to be aggressive than national media - however be aware of over friendly journalists - always know that they are a journalist - NOT a friend! Get to know them & find out if they prefer phone, fax, post , e mail

3. Be polite, friendly, happy, confident - SMILE! Even when on the phone!
You are all vegans to them - maybe the first or only vegan they have met -
BE A GREAT ADVERT FOR VEGANISM!

Media releases

1. Create your own press releases (Starting a local group - or want new members, writing a vegan guide to your area, having a fund raising event, local animal sanctuary etc). Use The Vegan Society press releases & letters to the editor page - Reply to letters in the "letters to the editor" page when applicable & reply to your own letters under a different name!

2. They like photos & photo opportunities - Food, kids, animals, babies, colour, local celebrities, people dressed up as animals, fancy dress.

3. Get someone else to read the release/letter - they will probably spot something you didn't!
Make sure it has correct time, date & contact details - 1 or 2 people no more
Keep it to one page
Give as much notice as possible for events & features - 2 months if poss.
They NEED the local angle
They LOVE quotes!
Aim to grab attention & sum up in the first 2 lines/paragraph.

4. If it's a reply or news do it ASAP otherwise its too late!
NEVER say anything off the record!

5. Usually at the local level its quite basic and mainly the same
"Why did you go Vegan"
"Do you have problems eating out"
"Are all vegans pale & unhealthy"

BE positive rather than negative!

"To have a healthy & compassionate lifestyle & save the lives & suffering of hundreds of animals"
"No problems especially if the chef wants an exciting challenge & I let them know beforehand"
"Well look at me!"

Karin Ridgers

Vegan Essex

Whole veg*n pull-out supplements in your local paper

Karin has recently been behind the biggest step in local press coverage of veggie topics that we've ever seen: a whole pull out veggie section to her local paper, two times as well!

Now the precedent has been set - show your local paper, and offer to help them to try something similar. Click on Veggie Times in the menu bar at the Essex Enquirer.

To do something along these lines in your local paper, supply some good article ideas (or borrow them), get local and national veggie-friendly companies interested who might be prepared to advertise in it, and especially, make friends and ideally meet up with someone from your local paper. You could build up to this over time, supplying them with useful and timely local veggie input in the meanwhile.

Advertisers in the Essex Enquirer's Veggie Times included: Barleans Forti-Flax, Veggie Pets, Borgeois Boheme, Frys and Tofutti. Pink Lady Apple goodies, Booja Booja chocs and The Fresh Network magazine offered prizes.