Promoting your projects

Write a press release

Do you have a newsworthy story? The media, which includes your local newspapers and radio stations, are always looking for human interest stories. People like to read and hear about other people, and what is going on in their local community. They like stories they can relate to or about issues they can talk about.

Who and where to send?

Think about your audience. Your press release needs to get to the right person, and the right media outlet. If your project is based in St Helens, there is little point in sending a news story to the Chester Standard. Be targeted. Research the right contacts – most media outlets have an email address that goes directly to the editor or news desk.

Draft your press release

Journalists are busy and can receive hundreds of emails every day. You need to deliver them everything they need to write up the story. Ideally, you want them to be able to take copy directly from the press release.

Make sure your press release covers who, what, where, when, why and how. Keep your press release short and punchy and follow a clear hierarchy of information – the most important and interesting details first, everything else after. Think about the importance and impact of your project. How will it make a difference? How will it improve lives? How will it improve the whole community? Include quotes and attach good quality photographs, these are always well received.

Send your press release

Ensure the email subject line clearly says what the press release is about, and paste the press release into the main email.

Follow up with a phone call

Journalists get a lot of press releases each day and it will help if you give them a quick call to highlight your news.

Social Media

Social media is a great way to promote your project, engage with the public and build relationships with supporters.

Basic hints and tips:

• Think about which channels work best for targeting your audiences and tailor your message to suit
• Engage with your audience – reply to comments and queries
• Post frequently – aim for 3-5 times a week for Facebook and Instagram, and once a day for X
• Keep messages positive
• Use images and video to bring your content to life
• Tag us in your posts

If you are new to using social media there is plenty of useful information available online.

Using our logo – brand guidelines

We ask that if you use our logo you adhere to our branding guidelines and use the logo correctly.

You can use our logo in conjunction with the promotion of any project which has received funding from us. It can be used across all relevant marketing and communications, such as on websites, marketing materials (such as leaflets), and social media.

If you need advice, email emma.peacock@cflm.org.uk

Download our brand guidelines here