What is Lions Public Relations?

Public Relations is all about communication.  It means effectively and professionally communicating information about your organisation to the public. It also means helping the community understand who Lions are, what we do, and who will benefit.  It also builds community support for our humanitarian programs, by helping clubs reach more people in need.

What Makes a Good Public Relations Program?

For a good public relations program, you need to ensure that:

·         You know your Club’s goals and objectives – if none have been set then they need to be set up and agreed upon by all members.

·         You need to know who your audience is and that you are successfully reaching them.  A similar thing like updating your mailing list can improve communications dramatically.

·         Check the projects you are involved with are progressing well and regularly evaluate activities to all members.

·         Have enough money set aside to publicise your projects.  You can have a good public relations project on a limited budget.  Don’t just rely on the media to acknowledge your projects.  If they are not prepared to support it, you should think of other ways to promote it.

·         To get media attention, ensure the project has an interesting angle which they will want to support and this will mean free publicity for the club. 

How to Write a Media Release

There are many ways of informing the media of an event or key news item, but the most effective way to make an announcement or inform them of something is via a media release.  A media release offer the following advantages:

·         It saves time for you and the reporter.

·         It helps reporters get their facts right.

·         You have a copy of what was issued.

·         It enables you to contact a number of different media outlets with the same information.

·         It clearly outlines what the event or news is about, and highlights the key facts to attract media attention.

Main points to remember when writing a media release are:

·         Use short sentences.

·         Use short paragraphs

·         Use expressive English

·         Use positive words and phrases

·         Mention the full name of the organisation early in the media release.

·         Date the media release.

·         Mention a contact name and phone number to enable media to obtain further information.

·         Try to have a “quote” that stands out which the media could use in a potential story.

·         Keep the information simple.

One of the most important things to remember when writing a media release is the five Ws and one H rule -  explain WHAT Happened, WHERE it took place, WHY it occurred; WHEN it occurred, to WHOM, and How is occurred.  All of this should be included in the first paragraph.  Using this formula ensures that writing a media release is relatively easy and that all the important facts are recorded up front to general interest immediately by the media.

As the media receive hundreds of media releases a day, it is important that all the relevant information is recorded in the first instance, as many editors will not have the time to read beyond the first paragraph.  It is also useful to come up with a catchy title to grab attention, but this should not exceed half a dozen words.

How to Distribute a Media Release

·         Contact the key media outlets you are trying to organise to take up the story.  It is important to address the media release to the right person. 

·         Ensure your media release is distributed prior to the relevant media deadlines.

·         Remember that the format, layout, and content of a media release should be prepared with the key requirements of that particular media outlet.  It is common to submit more than one media release to meet the requirements of a number of different media outlets to ensure a story will be covered.

Promotional Items

Many Lions promotional material is available to purchase through Multiple District Office in Newcastle.  Below is a list of the items available.

Personalised “Induction” Membership Kit

In 2003, a personalised “Induction” Membership Kit was created which is available for clubs to purchase through the 201W2 Lions Public Relations Chairman.  This kit consists of the following items:

·         Lions Cap

·         Lions Socks (optional)

·         Lions Key Ring

·         Lions We Make Things Happen brochure

·         The Pride of this Badge booklet

This kit is then personalised further by the Club purchasing the Membership Kit by adding the following:

·         Photos of Club Members (this is done by the club to enable a new member to learn other members names quickly and feel part of the team). 

·         Details on members role in the club, why they joined Lions and what they enjoy most as a member.

Help can be obtained from the PR Chairman to create this using a special Word Template.

For the current price of the Membership Kit, please contact PR Chairman Lorri Jones on (08) 9767 3020.

Other Promotional Products Available

Public Relations Manual                                                                       

Corporate Booklet “The Pride of this Badge”                           

“We Make Things Happen”Brochure (per 100)                       

“Lions Australia BBQ cards (per 1000)                                               

Lions Australia Powerpoint presentation CD                            

“We Support” Window Stickers (small or large)                                   

“Proud to be a Volunteer” Sticker                                                        

“We Make Things Happen”Banner                                                      

Fact File Folder           

Club Promotion Kit

Club Image Building Guide

Posters

Download the Order Form and print.  Select the items you wish to order for your Club, enclose cheque and then send the completed form to:

Public Relations Promotional Products
Multiple District 201
Locked Bag 2000
NEWCASTLE  NSW  2300  

                                                             

National PR Website link

Club Membership Kit          Lions Posters for Displays