How to Approach a Journalist

How to approach a journalist

GETTING STARTED

 You will be able to find email addresses and telephone numbers for news desks by visiting the relevant publication’s website.  When emailing a news desk, keep it short. Say what your story is and why the  Newspaper’s readers will be interested in reading it - this will mainly be because you are doing a personal challenge for charity and people in your area will want to know about it.  When you initially speak to a journalist make sure you answer the following questions in your opening sentences: who, what, why, when, how. E.g., for someone who is running the London Marathon:

“Hi, my name is Sarah. I live in Rochdale and I will be running my first ever London Marathon for disabled children's charity, Whizz-Kidz, because they gave my cousin a powered wheelchair.”

WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY?

 Be sure to include any interesting details about your story e.g. are you doing the event in a novelty costume? Is this your first ever challenge event for a charity? Why now? Do you know someone who has been helped by the charity? What’s their story? - Think about what you would like to read and the facts you would like to know and try to pick those out of your own story.  The most effective stories are told by people in their own words. Do not worry about the messages of Whizz-Kidz - although these are below should you need them.

USEFUL TIPS

 Within your story give ideas as to how local people can help your fundraising or be involved with your challenge whether that is attending a fundraising event or donating to your online page.  Always provide hi-res images of you at your fundraising event or in your Whizz-Kidz vests or t-shirts. Occasionally a journalist will send down a photographer to take photos but you should be prepared in case this is not possible.  Always provide contact information as often journalists will want to carry out a phone interview.  A Whizz-Kidz press release template is available for you to adapt on our website.

WHIZZ-KIDZ FACTS AND FIGURES

 Whizz-Kidz provides disabled children and young people with vital mobility equipment, opportunities to meet and have fun, and training to help them gain skills and lead an active childhood.  Whizz-Kidz has changed the lives of nearly 18,000 disabled children since 1990 - often literally overnight. The charity estimates there are still over 70,000 children in the UK waiting for the right equipment to fit their young lives.  Whizz-Kidz relies on voluntary income in order to fund equipment and young people’s services, which could mean the difference between a disabled child leading their life instead of being led. CONTACT OUR PR OFFICER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS K.EVANS@WHIZZ- KIDZ.ORG.UK OR BY PHONE 0207 798 6148