Meet and get tips from representatives from:

This program is tailored for non profits, agencies, community organizations and small businesses, and anyone else who wants to understand this new form of media. One important goal of the program is to provide valuable information on how to work with these interactive media sources to increase visibility, publicize events and more effectively reach target audiences. Topics covered will include how to write an effective press release, how to submit content, elements of a good news story and how to be a community journalist.

Confirmed panelists include Travis Mayfield – Executive Producer, Fisher Interactive Network , KOMO Communities, http://www.KOMOCommunities.com; Venice Buhain, Editor of Bellevue Patch,http://www.BellevuePatch.com; a representative from 425 Magazine, http://www.425magazine.com;  and Joe Kennedy, Publisher, Bellevue Business Journal,  http://www.BellevueBusinessJournal.com. Event moderator will be Maya, radio host at WARM 106.9 FM- http://www.warm1069.com.

To RSVP, please contact volunteer@bellevuewa.gov. If you have questions about the event, contactKhenry@bellevuewa.gov. This program is sponsored by the City of Bellevue Volunteer and Cultural Diversity Programs of the City of Bellevue.

Community-Based Media Panel Discussion, June 9, 1-3:30 pm, North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98009, Phone: 425-452-7681.http://www.bellevuewa.gov/north_bellevue_community_center_programs.htm

I have helped both the PR company and the marketing association many times over the past 5 years, but am unable to recall one time that either of them did anything nice for me – or even invited me to an event without a price tag.

Still the same, I kept an open mind and asked if they would be willing to give me a media pass to the event so that I could report on it.  The person said she’d have to check with her boss and then the next day said that would not be giving media passes, but that they could offer me their ‘special’ student rate of $99.

Evidently, they don’t place much value on the work they continue ask me to do to help them – and don’t realize that most of media types do not make much money – especially considering the huge number of hours committed each week.  I usually alternate between the emotions of anger and amusement when someone asks to pay so I can help them out.

What was my reaction to this situation?  I asked to be immediately removed from all their media lists and stated that I would never be helping them or their client ever again.  What would you have done?

I love to help people, businesses and organizations, but eventually, as in every successful long term relationship, it eventually has to come back around.  All parties must be willing to help each other.  My suggestions for engaging the media:

1) Invite them to the events you ask them to promote.  They might even give you post event publicity too.

2) Don’t attach a price tag (you probably don’t like to pay to work and the media doesn’t either).

3) If the event includes a meal or food for attendees, don’t withhold it from your media guests – we are people too.  If your budget does not allow for cost of having media attend, simply don’t ask them to – or to promote it.

4) You might want to consider ‘the media” as your partner – and treating them as you’d treat a partner.

5) Go out of your way to connect and develop relationships with media. Do something nice for them – introduce them to someone who can help them, invite them to special events.  Don’t just use them – nobody likes to be used.

Feedback?  I’d love to hear it.