PHAware Home
Offer an Interview through PHAware
Because of the rarity of the disease
and misdiagnosis, I decided to
contact the media so that others
would know what I had been through
so that they would not have to wait
for a diagnosis and suffer needlessly.
-- Betty Lait |
Sharing your personal story (or the story of a loved one) about PH is the best way to generate coverage and raise awareness about the illness. Offering your story for publication or broadcast helps to put a face on PH and educates your community. Building a relationship with local reporters is the first step to raising awareness about PH through the media.
Steps:
- Create a media list
Pull together the names and contact information of the media outlets you want to get in touch with. There are three ways you can go about collecting this information.
- If you have Internet access, you can go to PHA's media search page. Type your zip code in the box and click on 'Go'. The next page will show a list of all the media outlets in your area. You can click on their underlined names to get more information about each one.
- If you do not have Internet access, you can use your local telephone book to look up media outlets and get their contact information.
- If neither of these options are available to you, you can call us at 301-565-3004 x109. We will help you get the information you need to compile your media list.
- Collect contact information on the Health Reporter
Call the media outlets on your media list and ask for the name and contact information of the reporter who covers health issues.
- Order PHA press materials
Decide on the number of reporters you will contact and order that number of press packets from PHA. PHA will include an Understanding PH CD-ROM that you can show to explain PH. Contact PHA by phone at 301-565-3004 x113 or email awareness@PHAssociation.org.
- Call each reporter on your list
Introduce yourself as a member of the PH community. Tell the reporter that you want to speak with him/her about PH and share your story or the story of someone you love so that others can learn of this illness. Ask for a meeting with him/her. (Sample meeting request script)
Do not be discouraged if your request for a meeting is not granted. Offer to send the reporter the press kit instead. Write a cover letter emphasizing your interest in getting the reporter's help to promote PH awareness and include it with the press kit in the mail. (Sample cover letter)
- Meet with each reporter
Bring the Understanding PH CD-ROM and a press packet. Show the reporter the 7-minute CD-ROM presentation on PH. Then tell him/her your story or the story of a loved one. Finally, ask the reporter if he/she would consider covering PH. Leave the press packet with the reporter.
- Thank each reporter
Within two days of your meeting, write a thank you letter to each reporter stressing the need for the PH story to be told. (Sample thank you letter)
- Place a follow-up phone call to each reporter
Within two weeks of your meeting, call each reporter and offer your continuing interest in his/her help. (Sample follow-up call script)
- Tell PHA
Send a copy of your letters, talking points, media evaluation form and a sample of any media coverage generated to PHA. Upon receipt, PHA will send you a certificate of recognition and offer you the opportunity to connect with other active members of the PH community and invite you to share your experience on the PHAware message board.
- Maintain your relationship with each reporter
Periodically write each reporter to tell him/her of new developments with PH. Look to PHA's online action alerts for an updated list of these.
|
