Enhance Your Club's Image

ROTARY – AS EFFECTIVE AS EVER…BUT QUIET N O M O R E!!

An idea gleaned from the District 6110 Newsletter
Ron Petersen, Sr, District 6110 PR Chair

President Ray Klinginsmith wants your club to be Bigger – Better & Bolder!

"August 26 through 28 I attended the Rotary Institute in Nashville, TN. I purposely wanted to cover one of the break-out sessions on Public Image. This will be my first of many installments to benefit you as PR Chair for your club.

INFORM YOUR CLUB MEMBERS – The internal audience of your club is just as important as the general public. They are spokespersons for your club. You also need a really sharp person to be your official spokesperson to handle the media for each of your events or fund raisers. This person should be assigned the task of making an appearance on the local Television stations MORNING SHOW! Their camera crew might be assigned by the News Director to show up at the event. Have a member of your club that's good with a digital camera shoot some digital photos and then email one of the best action photos to the local newspaper. Be sure to only include a short “by-line” about the picture along with your clubs name – chances are it will get used. A prepared news release may need editing which is too time consuming and will not get in the paper.

THE HOOK – When dealing with the media remember the hook. Reverse your thinking - suppose your club is doing a fund raiser “Wine & Food Fest” with wine tasting booths sandwiched with local restaurants serving their specialties. HERE COMES THE HOOK, 45 days before the event invite the local media to a “Wine Tasting event” where you unveil the fund raiser and explain where the proceeds will be used. Let's say it's for Scholarships given to seniors at their awards night at the local High School held each May. The hook as you might think is the Wine and Food Fest.. NOT it's the seniors who can be given media exposure along with your club doing this project to help them. Sell the “sizzle” not the steak!

SIGN UP NOW FOR PR TIPS SENT TO YOUR EMAIL – Go on line to http://www.rotary.org/en/Members/RunningAClub/InformingTheCommunity/Pages/PRTipemailnewsletter.aspx

BUILDING ROTARY'S BRAND / PUBLIC IMAGE – What does Rotary mean to others? Branding is important to create Rotary awareness just like any business. Branding is building a reputable image. BUT be sure to use the right message and reach the right audience."

Thank you Ron and District 6110 (includes Rotary Clubs in four states: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.)