Television

Television provides widespread access to your target audience, but it is also one of the hardest mediums in which to get coverage. Check your local television stations (see your list of resources in Section 2) and make notes about special segments in which they cover local events and happenings. By knowing what kind of coverage may be available, you can better target your press releases to the station. Some television stations may have a scrolling community calendar at the end of their newscast. The station can provide details about how to get your event listed on the calendar.

A public access channel may provide unique opportunities for free publicity. Often these stations feature public interest segments or shows, and they may provide free advertising or public service announcements (PSAs) between features. You may be able to appear for an interview or provide material for a segment on vegetarianism, your organization, and the food fair.     TOP

Radio

Radio stations also provide wide access to your audience through PSAs. Some public radio stations or perhaps a local or college or university station may provide other options and perhaps free publicity. Again, interviews may be an option for radio, providing an opportunity to raise awareness about vegetarian issues and advertise your food fair. Many radio stations also have a community calendar feature in which announcements about the vegetarian food fair can be made.     TOP

Newspapers, magazines, and newsletters

Newspapers, magazines, and newsletters are similar in that they are all print media and they all revolve around deadlines. They may provide the same kinds of free publicity as television and radio (community calendars and items of interest), but whereas television and radio announcements and advertisements can be added flexibly, you must plan carefully for newspaper, magazine, and newsletter submissions so that you do not miss the printer's deadline. Many publications-magazines and newsletters in particular-have a submission deadline well in advance (for example, Vegetarian Times, Veggie Life, Vegetarian Journal, Animals' Agenda). You should determine when you want your news or advertisement to appear and plan to submit those materials early in the planning stages of the food fair.

Be sure to feature coverage of the food fair in your own organization's newsletter and use it as a means of recruiting volunteers. Send materials to nearby vegetarian-related organizations as well as participants who have member newsletters, as these give you direct access to the target audience of the food fair.     TOP

Displays

A public library or other public place (for example, a hospital) may provide a display case or bulletin board for a month-long display about the food fair. The focus of the display should be a specific issue related to vegetarianism, and the food fair should be "advertised" as an opportunity to learn more. These kinds of displays are great for publicity because they appear in places where people have time to browse and read more than just the five Ws of the food fair. These displays can be educational and can spark interest in vegetarianism, bringing people to the food fair.     TOP

Web sites

If your organization has a Web site, there is no better place to advertise and promote your food fair. A Web site is an effective resource not only for local people who are interested in the fair but also for national and international Internet users. Many people are willing to travel out of town to attend vegetarian events, and while you can't possibly reach all of these potential attendees via television, radio, or advertisement, you can reach them via the Web. The Web address (URL) of your site should be displayed prominently on posters and in advertisements, and you should keep the site up-to-date, adding information each time you make a confirmation. You can also contact sponsors, participants, vegetarian and other organizations, and perhaps town and city Webmasters and ask them to post a link to your site to increase visibility.     TOP