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Newspapers

Know Your Local Newspaper

Being familiar with the newspapers in your local area is very important. Read them regularly to get a feel for the types of articles they print and the style they prefer.

Know the editors you may be working with and their responsibilities. The staff of a weekly county paper may be quite small, with workers sharing responsibilities. Large daily papers usually have several editors, each in charge of a different department.

Make sure you submit your story to the appropriate department. If you aren't sure who the appropriate editor is, check with the receptionist or city editor.

Getting to know your papers' staffs may mean the difference between success or failure in getting a story published. But remember, editors and other media people are busy professionals. Before visiting, try to find out which days they are least busy and schedule an appointment then. Keep your visit brief - just introduce yourself and your program.

Don't call the editor every time you think you have a great story, but do send a press release. Save the phone calls for the truly important stories.

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