Writing in Various Writing in Various GenresGenres
Steve Cox and Neil ProbstSteve Cox and Neil Probst
The Alpha ... An The Alpha ... An OverviewOverview
● ● The news release ... where it all The news release ... where it all starts.starts.
● ● Getting local coverage.Getting local coverage.
● ● Contribute feature articles to Contribute feature articles to CAP CAP VolunteerVolunteer..
● ● Various types of feature storiesVarious types of feature stories
● ● Electronic mediaElectronic media
● ● Social mediaSocial media
News releasesNews releases
• Your news release is the ideal starting point for your feature story.
• It needs to contain many of the elements your feature will include:
• Active voice
• The main news
• Additional facts
• Additional details
Questions?
Types of StoriesTypes of Stories
• Hard News Feature
• A Feature Story Based on a News Event That Occurs
Success storiesSuccess stories
• Every wing has them.
• A cadet becomes a governor, then senator.
Novel approachesNovel approaches
• When a high-profile author includes CAP in his novel, that’s a great story.
• In this instance, author Dale Brown included CAP cadets in his drama.
Customer takes rideCustomer takes ride
• Anytime the customer rides along, you’ve got a good story.
• Here you add the added bonus of a really neat rare-bird tracking angle.
Multi-state effortsMulti-state efforts
• Anytime more than one wing is involved, you’ve got a story.
• Yes, you won’t always have a famous aviator go missing, but part of the draw there as well was the many wings that teamed up.
When Cadets Save When Cadets Save LivesLives
• The three cadets pictured saved the life of a Canadian woman involved in a motorcycle accident.
• Keep in eye on the efforts of your cadets; there’s hardly more positive news than they provide.
The story itselfThe story itself
• Pre-reporting (get to know your interviewees before you speak to them)
• Saves time
• Avoid “stupid” questions
• Make deadline
TechnologyTechnology
• Digital camera (Document the mission with photos of aircrew, customer, members in action)
• Digital recorder (excellent for interviews)
Multiple SourcesMultiple Sources
• Accuracy
• Fairness
• Give a true reflection of how special people are.
• Better, more comprehensive viewpoint
• No feelings hurt, especially when more than one wing involved
To Quote or Not to To Quote or Not to QuoteQuote
• Careful not to overuse
• Keep brief
• Use for drama, not for stating facts.
““Real” PeopleReal” People
• Media’s way of saying interview those on the front lines, not just wing commanders and other high-level players.
• Often cadets are your best source for a fresh, positive voice.
Be a ResearcherBe a Researcher
• Additional sources for stories include online news media.
• Add context, flavor to stories.
• Details from news agencies show the larger picture of which CAP takes part.
Keep Eyes on the PrizeKeep Eyes on the Prize
• After your news release and submission to CAP News Online and/or the Volunteer, focus extra attention on local and national media.
• This is your best avenue for telling the CAP story to an audience that may not know us.
• In the process you’ll likely build a connection with local media that will last for many years.
The HarvestThe Harvest
CAP plane in Denver Post that spotted lost hikers
Steamboat Pilot & Today illustrates flooding story with CAP aerials
Montrose Daily Press carries full story on SAREX
Blog Blog — The New Wave— The New Wave
IACE takes cadets to Singapore. Their trip is documented at blog: http://iacesingapore.wordpress.com/
WHY BLOG??
• Relaxed format
• Can pack oodles of copy and photos in.
• Additional element to story; for instance, you could write a feature story on IACE and include a blog link for those who want to enjoy particular experiences of cadets in different countries.
Electronic MediaElectronic Media
NUMEROUS POSSIBILITIES
• Wing web sites
• Video productions
• Multimedia and slide presentations
Keep in touch
Reach Steve at [email protected].
Reach Neil at [email protected].
Thank you. We look forward to helping you in any way we can.