Get publicity: Promote your events

Take advantage of the menu of public relations resources NEA has available to help you reach out to the media and the public:

• Sample Media Workplan
• Media Tips
• Sample Media Advisory
• Sample Letter to a Local Newspaper
• Sample Op-Ed Piece
• Sample "Save the Date" Announcement
• Sample Proclamation for Local Government
• Sample School Board Presentation

Resource serving suggestions

  Serve the above resources with a slice of life from your own comunity.

Include information about the condition of your local public and school libraries, local reading achievement, details about previous Read Across America events, commitments from local "celebrity" readers, local reading challenges, etc. -- any details that will rally your community around reading.

 Doctor them up for different diners.

The PTA newsletter, the church bulletin, the local parenting publication, school Web site, and local television station may need different types of materials. If it is going to help you spread the word, offer to provide tailored information for different audiences.

  Ask someone else to dish them up.

Is there a published author in your community? Ask him/her to submit an op-ed. Ask parents to make pitches to the PTA and other service organizations. And don't forget that cooking together is half the fun -- have kids get involved in making invitations, giving presentations, and creating murals, posters, flyers, grocery bags, etc., to generate interest and excitement.

  Too many cooks in the kitchen?

Not for this melting pot! Those who wear many hats will be happy to don their reading hat for the children in your community. Find ways to collaborate with retired teachers, education support professionals, librarians, booksellers, and journalists. But don't forget folks like car dealers, construction workers, soccer coaches, dentists, and cashiers. Each of these "cooks" offers unique perspectives on reading to share with kids and the community, and can help you spread the word by reaching out to their own audiences and colleagues.