Public relations can be a simple, efficient and effective way to reach a lot
of people. The list below offers a few PR project ideas to consider.
As you are planning, don't forget to check the Events Calendar for timely
annual events, anniversaries, education and outreach project ideas, with links to supporting resources.
If you time your activities and messages with current events or media coverage
it will be even more effective.
You may want to join forces with like-minded individuals and
groups for greater impact for your investment of time and/or money.
Consider joint fundraising,
working with local counseling centers, civic groups, volunteer organizations or churches.
1) Conduct a letter-writing campaign using our sample letters to the editor as a general guide, but writing in your own words.
You can also use our sample letters to political, religious and civic leaders.
Get friends, family or your civic or volunteer group(s) involved! Join
forces with other like-minded individuals, school, church or civic groups
and organizations to multiply your impact.
2)
Send or share postcards. Mail or share post cards (or flyer versions) of
What Every American Needs to Know or use this information in letters
to leaders, media, political, religious or civic group leaders, etc. These
make affordable mailers or pre-printed handouts.
3) Send
story ideas, press releases and/or educational materials to:
-
Journalists, editors and writers.
Ask them to
learn more and write about unwanted abortions and post-abortion pain or
maternal death rates
that go unacknowledged or reported. Keep it short, simple and professional.
Send "big picture" introductory pieces, such as
Portraits of Coercion, materials from our
Forced Abortion
in America page, or other materials from the
Resources page or
the Mix & Match menu
of materials on this site.
Send one or a few materials with a personally addressed cover letter, or simply
write a short note and include links to key pages in an email.
-
Print, broadcast and online media
Send materials to the appropriate editor; for example: features editor, news editor, religion editor, events calendar, etc., at local/state newspapers, print, broadcast and internet publications.
Don't overlook small groups or civic organizations, such as women's clubs, men's clubs, volunteer- and civic-oriented newsletters, magazines, internet sites, etc.
Share topics and resources with blogs about the particular issue or focus.
Suggest story ideas suitable to their audience. For example, send
information on coerced or forced abortion to a women's magazine or local
talk show; or send a fact sheet about teens at risk of coercion and
post-abortion injury and death to a parenting magazine, suggesting they
do a story on this issue. Share a testimony or information about
men and abortion, and
suggest they investigate this topic from a local angle.
-
Identify the correct department, editor and submission guidelines
It's important
to send materials to the appropriate editor; for example, features editor, news editor, religion editor, events calendar, etc., at local/state newspapers, print, broadcast and internet publications.
Call ahead to get the correct
and current title and name of the person
responsible for a particular section or topic. This information is often
printed on the publication's masthead or web site. Follow up with a
phone call to verify that this information is current and to
double-check names, spelling, addresses, contact information, etc.
Check each
publications policies and submission guidelines and follow them closely.
If you don't they are unlikely to publish your content.
(Learn more about
editorial
writing.)
-
Consider Smaller Publications for Varied Audiences
Whether publishing articles or running ads, don't overlook the
publications of smaller groups or civic organizations. These can be
quite effective. You'll reach people close to home, get more for your
investment of time or money, and your message may reach just the right
people. After all, abortion touches everyone in one way or another and
many people may be informed, motivated, helped or inspired to get
involved and take a leadership role.
Consider local women's clubs, men's clubs, senior citizens groups,
publications for educators or student leaders in schools at secondary
and university levels, volunteer- and civic-oriented newsletters,
political advocates, magazines, internet sites, etc.
Share topics and resources
in social media and with blog editors, especially those who write about
civic, religious, community or family-friendly topics, or those targeted
to specifically to women, although men's groups are also a good venue.
(See Men and Abortion.)
Learn more:
Which Media?
Who Needs to
Hear This?
4) Send a press release to local and special-interest media
(Use our press release page, which includes a sample press release as a guide.)
Generate news coverage for an event, activity, or local campaign
by sending a press release or calling local broadcast stations. Or send information of interest to a particular publication, broadcast program or newspaper with supporting materials.
5)
Lobby lawmakers. Share big-picture introductory materials, such as as the Portraits of Coercion fact sheet, What Every American Needs to Know, or a Political Kit.
Reach egislators and political candidates during election time or
legislative sessions. (Learn more about
political education,
outreach and resources.)
6) Co-op ads -
Many ads have a co-op version, which features a boxed-in area where you can
add local contacts, information, events, resources, etc.
Run
co-op ads or post them as flyers to publicize your event or local contacts,
resources or sponsors. Family-friendly, civic-minded or philanthropic
individuals groups or corporate sponsors may be willing to help defray the
cost of an add if you offer to add their logo or message to the co-op ad.
7)
Broadcast Free Public Service
Announcements (PSAs) -- We offer 30-second and 60-second
radio ads, which many
stations will run free of charge as Public Service Announcements (PSAs).
This is an effective way to get the word out.
8) Give a Speech
or Ask Students or Educators to Do So -- Most of the information on this
site is new to students, educators and the general public. There is a lot of
education yet to be done. Give a talk and
publicize it,
or ask local educators, youth group leaders and students to incorporate this
information into school-year speeches, essays, outreach projects, etc.
9)
Run a
Pro-Woman/Pro-Life Signature Ad. This is a good way to share the big
picture and counter the widespread myth that abortion helps rather than
exploits and endangers women ... a reality that defies and debunks the
so-called "pro-choice" deception. (The Signature Ads are also available as
standard ads or flyers, too, which can be used without signatures.)
See also:
Low-Cost/No-cost Ideas
PR and Events Planning
Calendar and Supporting Resources
Mix & Match Menu of Ads
and Educational Materials
Return to PR,
Advocacy and Outreach Gateway Page
