Your school or district might already be in frequent touch with the local media. If so, that's great. If not, we hope you find these quick tips useful.

1. Create a media list. Who should know about your school's activities? Think broadly—consider your local weekly paper, regional daily, TV news, radio news, thoughtful local talk shows, key websites or blogs, etc. Give them a call, ask who the most appropriate contact is, and add their phone number and email to your list.
2. Reach out. Make a call and introduce yourself (be sure to ask if they have a moment to speak first). Ask them what their deadline is (so you'll be aware in the future) and what type of stories they're interested in so that you can pass along helpful information in the future.
3. Send your press release. Email your Responsive Classroom® press release (well before their deadline to give them plenty of time to write the story). Follow up the next day with a 30-second phone call to check if they received the press release and offer to speak with them further if they'd like.
4. Keep in touch. The secret to building a good, long-term relationship with the press is staying in touch. Periodically call or email them to compliment them on a story, offer a relevant news tip, or suggest a story idea about your school or district.