Working with the Media Building relationships with local media

Working with the MediaBuilding relationships with local media

© 2011, National Association of Health Underwriters • www.nahu.org

Take Advantage of Local Media

“The world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

• NAHU tools on the web• Building a media list• Become a spokesperson


NAHU Tools on the Web

Make your life a little easier


Training Tools

Visit the Media & Communications: For Chapters webpage

• Tips and Tricks• Media Moment• Writing Pointers• Sound Bytes

• Webinars• Working with the Media• Award Criteria• The Art of a Media Interview

• Guidebooks• “How To” Media Guide for Members• And much more!


Media Templates

Localize and forward materials already available

• Press releases• Media advisories• Opinion editorials• Letters to the editor• Video clips• Radio PSAs• Advertisements• Event plans• Brochures


Legislative Information

Have the most updated information at your fingertips

• Read the “Washington Update”• Keep in touch with NAHU’s

legislative staff: Brooke Bell• Know your local legislative

committee members• Establish a relationship with state

and national legislative representatives and their staff


Build a Media List

We can help!

Upon request, we will search a national media database to find reporters and editors in your area. We will send you:• Print media list• Broadcast media list• Sample letter of introduction• Tips on how to keep list updated


First Contact

Make the best first impression

• Contact a reporter by:• Sending an email• Making a phone call• Introducing yourself at an event• Networking through a friend

• Have a specific purpose• Don’t:

• Send snail-mail or fax• Just “drop by”• Let a month go by without contact


Update Information

If it’s more than six months old…

• Newspapers have always had a high turnover rate, and it’s only getting worse.

• Pay attention to bylines: Who is writing about insurance/health care reform?

• Look out for local blogs, newsletters and forums.


Become a Media Spokesperson

Establish yourself as an expert


Find Your Hook

What do you know that everyone else should too?

When pitching a story idea, make sure your proposal is:• Local• Timely• Unique• Personal/Relatable


Know What to Say

Plan ahead: “Knowing is half the battle”


Sample Questions

Ready to give it a try?

Turn to your neighbor and ask one of the following questions. Then let them take a turn.• What is the value of using a health insurance agent?• Why do health care premiums continue to rise even after

health care reform was passed?• What is a health insurance "navigator” and what will their

role be in our state?• What resource are available to help consumers find the

health care coverage they need?


Media Spokesperson Database

Get on the list


Questions?

What I’m an expert in:

• Newspapers (Want to know about being a reporter?)• Social Media (Thinking about starting a blog?) • Layout and Design (Any questions about the new logo?)• Literacy (Need a good book recommendation?)

Documents

Working with the Media Building relationships with local media