Getting in the paper
People often ask how they can get something in The Morgan Messenger to promote their event. The simple answer is just send in a news release. The more complicated answer takes a little explanation.
First question: What are you promoting? If it’s something of community interest, especially if it’s free, put on by a local group or will benefit the public, we will probably say yes to running an announcement once. On the other hand, if there’s a fee or admission charge, or if the event seems commercial or is a sale of some sort, we will suggest you take out an ad.
Many times, people do both. They submit a news story one week and also publicize through advertising. Obviously, this increases the chance that the public will get the message.
Second question, then: When do you promote the event? If your concert or show is Saturday, February 23, do you submit the news release for the Wednesday, February 20 issue or should it have been in on February 13?
At first, this seems like a judgment call by the event’s organizers. But part-time residents, who make up a lot of the local audience on weekends, tell us they like to see things announced at least a week early. Seems that when they leave home on Friday afternoon, they haven’t always seen the current issue yet. That additional time also gives local residents a chance to plan ahead.
Since we can’t always guarantee an article will run any given week, getting it in early is a good idea. In this internet age, some people email a press release on Tuesday or even early Wednesday and expect to see it in the paper that hits the stands late Tuesday night. This is true across West Virginia since much of the Mountain State is served by weekly, not daily, newspapers.
The Messenger’s deadline is noon on Monday and the finished product goes to the printer on Tuesday afternoon. So, there’s very little leeway when things come in after deadline.
As always, we invite you to submit information about your event or club. If you have any questions about the best way to publicize it, just contact The Morgan Messenger office.
