We will be publishing simple practical lists for organizers, under the tag “checklists for activists”. The pdf version of this one is available here: Checklist – Sending Press Release v1 . If you download it, pay attention to the version number as we might update the files later.
This checklist is about how to send a Press Release, a much simpler task than writing one.
Before
⎕ I have the final version of the text. / I know where to find the final version of the text.
⎕ I have the list of emails (of media and journalists, and/or other organizations).
⎕ I know from which email account to send (and I have access to it): This is important, because some actions involve creation of a separate email account. This can be a false account (to avoid relating individuals to the action) or a common account (as in the case of a protest organized by many groups).
⎕ If photo/video will be attached, I have the contact of the person who will send them to me.
⎕ I know at what time to send:
⎕ immediately after an action (e.g. in mass mobilizations)
⎕ during an action (e.g. strikes)
⎕ at the beginning of an action (e.g. blockades, direct actions)
⎕ early in the morning (e.g. declarations, report releases)
Sending
⎕ The title of the email is “PRESS RELEASE: [title]”
⎕ I formatted the text carefully. It should look like this:
[date]
PRESS RELEASE
[Title]
[One-paragraph Summary]
[Text]
[signed collective/organization]
*
[Name of contact person: Phone number of contact person]
More information:
[Sources and links, if any]
⎕ The email has the logo and website of the organization sending it.
⎕ Email has contact person information.
⎕ I am sending always BCC.*
⎕ I am sending in smaller groups of 20 contacts instead of one massive email: This is because large amount of recipients may cause the email to be marked spam. For instance, Riseup servers do not allow for such use.
⎕ At each re-send, I pay attention to any formating errors.
After
⎕ I prepared an image to accompany online publications.
⎕ I published the Press Release on our own website: Sometimes it is better to wait for 1-2 hours before doing this, to see if media covers the story in their own words.
⎕ I deleted the contact person information in public posts.
⎕ The contact person is ready to receive phone calls.
⎕ I follow the news website carefully for 3-5 hours.
⎕ I share all news coverage on social media.
⎕ Also, I share the full text of the Press Release on all social media accounts that the organization has.
⎕ I deleted the contact person information in public posts.
⎕ I check email and other social media accounts for if any journalist tries to contact us.
⎕ I updated the contact list, deleting the email addresses that bounce back.
