In our past resources, we've covered some of the basics of how to pitch reporters to cover an event, how to build a media list, and how to give interviews.
As your Indivisible group sends down roots and becomes an institution in your community, it's worth putting some time into developing strong long-term relationships with the media in your area.
Building relationships with reporters takes time and work, but the benefits are huge. It helps you build your power to shape the narrative about your member of Congress (MoC.) It helps you make sure that the news coverage in your area reflects how constituents are really thinking about an issue.
The Indivisible network is lucky to have some great group leaders who have professional backgrounds in media themselves. We've gotten their personal takes on what makes someone a great and easy-to-work-with “source.” (That’s you!) We also asked them how they've incorporated that knowledge into their work as media points-of-contact for their Indivisible groups.
Thank you to all who contributed!
In this resource, we'll be covering these main pointers:
- Be easy to find when reporters need you.
- Before you pitch an idea for a story to a reporter, do some research about them.
- Once you’ve connected, find out reporters’ preferences. Every reporter is different.
- Pitch ideas thoughtfully.
- Keep in touch.