A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Spreading the News

Why Spread the News?

Publicizing your event is important for a number of reasons:

It helps in recruiting volunteers, participants, and an interested audience;
It allows you to educate your community about the activities you are planning to improve education; and
It highlights other education efforts in your area.

How to Spread the News

Enlist the Support of Celebrities, Local Officials, and Businesses

Enlist a local official to present a proclamation recognizing your community’s involvement in America Goes Back to School
Seek a state resolution from your governor
Invite area celebrities--sports figures, newscasters, business leaders, or religious leaders to participate, sponsor, and promote your activities
Appoint an official or local celebrity as the America Goes Back to School honorary chairperson
Approach local businesses and ask for their sponsorship (you can put their logo on your promotional materials and ask them to help cover your costs)

Publicize Your Event

Design buttons, water flasks, t-shirts, or hats with your event name and date, and the America Goes Back to School name or Better Education Is Everybody’s Business on it – anything to get the word out
Write a promotional article for your local newspaper
Print up flyers for your event and post them on telephone poles, in stores, coffee shops, local hangouts and doctors’ offices
Create a banner or billboard announcing your event
Develop a public service announcement (30 to 60 seconds in length) for your local television or radio station

Develop Informational Materials and Activities

Write up a fact sheet outlining the "who, what, where, when, and why" of your activity, then distribute the flyers around town
Develop a one-page press release to give to local news agencies
Use the Internet as a vehicle to advertise your event--set up a Web page announcing your efforts
Design an activities calendar detailing the programs you are organizing
Launch your events with a press conference

When to Spread the News

You should prepare any publicity information well in advance of your event. Play it safe --get the necessary dates and details into media organizations EARLY--and remind them with follow-up phone calls as the date of your event approaches.

Media Outreach Examples And Tips

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