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Training Materials

Below are a series of resources that you can use to develop the skills and techniques you learned in the training. Thanks to the SPIN Project, Spitfire Strategies, Sierra Club, and guest trainers for all the resources.

CPLAN: Training Video Core Concepts

This is a condensed version of the main points from the Impacting the Media training video (download PDF document)

CPLAN: Sample Media Advisory

This is an example of a media advisory that you can use to create your own advisories for upcoming events and campaigns (download PDF file)

CPLAN: How to Make an Event Media-Friendly

Some simple guidelines to making an event friendly for reporters and local press to attend. (download PDF document)

CPLAN: Checklist for Organizing a Media Event

An excel spreadsheet to keep track of everything you need to organizing a successful media event (download Excel spreadsheet)

CPLAN: Frequently Asked Questions

Some answers to frequently asked questions about earned media from progressive organizers (download PDF document)

Sierra Club: Pitching Tips

Some nuts and bolts tips for pitching reporters. (download Microsoft Word document)

Sierra Club: Radio Tips

A great overview for reaching out to the radio in order to get your issues and events covered. (download Microsoft Word document)

Sierra Club: Making Your Event Newsworthy

This is a guide to figuring out how to make something newsworthy. (download Microsoft Word document)

Sierra Club: Press Releases and Framing

This document lays out some tips and best practices for putting together press releases that are covered and how to use them to frame your event. (download Microsoft Word document)

Updated! MoveOn.org: Special Tips for Veterans and Military Families Opposing the War

Veterans and military families have a unique and powerful voice with which to speak out against the war in Iraq. But telling our stories can be difficult. National expert and mother of an Iraq-veteran Sue Dinsdale offers some tips and advice for Military families and Veterans who speak out in the media. (download PDF document)

The SPIN Project: Guide to Press Releases

Other than the telephone, press releases and media advisories - often lumped together under the term “news releases” - are the basic methods of communicating your news to reporters. (download PDF here)

The SPIN Project: Guide to Building Relationships with Reporters

One of the most effective things an activist can do to promote her views is to cultivate relationships with reporters. In his book, Making the News: A Guide for Nonprofits and Activists, Jason Salzman quotes a reporter from a major daily whose sentiments are probably echoed by journalists everywhere: “A lot of what gets covered depends on personal relationships at the paper.” Can’t get more explicit than that. (download PDF here)

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