Download the "Getting Your Story Out" Powerpoint
Help the Communications & Marketing Office get the story out about exciting developments
at SUNY Cobleskill. Learn how to make the most of C & M's media distribution services.
We consider the same news values taught to every reporter and editor:
- Timeliness
- Something upcoming, that just happened, or is happening now.
- We need to know in advance so we can get the word out to appropriate media outlets
and get reporters here if appropriate and possible.
- If something newsworthy is about to happen, please let us know as far in advance as
possible.
- Impact
- Addresses the question, “Who is this important to?” The more people affected, the
more newsworthy.
- For us, it means capitalizing on trends, highlighting initiatives or events that have
community or regional implications, or addressing national issues.
- Note: It is our job to view this from the eyes of reporters and editors. We know there
are lots of reasons more people should care about lots of things — and sometimes we can make that case. But we need to be
realistic with our expectations and pitches.
- Examples:
- Fermentation Science got national coverage via the Associated Press – brewing is big
(yes, it is more than that — but that’s why it got covered).
- Our water monitoring work on the Mohawk River gets coverage for its broad implications
for many communities in the region.
- START-UP NY news always gets coverage because it is a hot-button issue at the state
level
- Institute for Rural Vitality involves regional partners and has regional implications
- Prominence
- If it involves a well-known public figure, it is more likely to get coverage.
- For us, that could be a visit by a government official, but it also includes things
like Chef Yono, who is well known in the Capital District participating in our Culinary
Extravaganza.
- Novelty
- First. Only. Best. Unusual.
- Our Therapeutic Horsemanship is an excellent example of novelty because it is new
to most people.
- We were the first in SUNY to implement an Applied Learning requirement
- Human Interest
- These are just good, person-focused stories.
- Examples:
-
Turfgrass Program student wins a World Series championship ring as an intern with
the Boston Red Sox
-
Paramedic Program student Sabrina Quintois rescues a toddler while working as a lifeguard
-
Members of the Early Childhood Club purchase and bring books to children at Cobleskill
Hospital
- Fungus-Resistant Hops Research on NPR
- Great example of multiple news values (timeliness, impacr, novelty, and human interest)
- "Can Science Change the Mildewed Fortunes of New York Heritage Hops?"
- The Story Connected: cutting-edge SUNY Cobleskill research, faculty and students to
local and global markets, regional history, economic development, and a human interest
angle: beer.
- The NPR story was picked up in 200+ markets across the United States
Other News Values of Less Concern for Us:
- Proximity. Readers care about news that is geographically close to them. The bigger
the news, the farther it can reach.
- Conflict. This covers things like crime, politics, war, natural disasters, etc.
- Currency. This refers to trends in news and culture. They can be long-term trends
(like the farm-to-table trend) or cyclical things like back-to-school season, summer
fashion, etc.
Press Releases or Story?
If a story fits one or more of those criteria really well, a press release may be
appropriate. We have a variety of curated distribution lists for different topics
to get the news to the most receptive audience.
If the event/news item has already happened or is mostly of interest within the SUNY
Cobleskill community, we will write it up as a blog post and/or push it out via social
media.
What We Need to Know
- Advance notice of an event or activity
- Basic details: who, what, where, when, why
- There is no such thing as too much context. Provide as much information as possible.
This will help us maximize impact.
- A quote or two from organizers or prominent participants
- These should add some personality to the release and give some “insider” context for
why it’s important. They should be 2-3 sentences at most. C&M can help craft quotes
if needed.
- Photos
- Should be as high resolution as possible
- Should be horizontal/landscape orientation
- Should have basic caption information: WHO is doing WHAT
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest
- For social media, it is always best if it is interesting to a wider audience.
- Most of our Facebook fans are female. The largest female age group is made up of followers
between 18-34.
- Social media posts are most successful when they include a compelling image or video,
and a short, positive message.
- How our social media is managed:
Our social media channels span broad demographics. We cover college-wide news, major
events, student and club accomplishments, faculty and staff achievements.
Specific department pages have their own following. An example is Fisheries and Wildlife,
generating and posting their own content. We share department and club content as
it relates to our channels.
We often link our social media posts to Media Hub.
We strongly encourage faculty, staff and students to connect with us regarding their
achievements. We may suggest covering a story related to that request
Campus Calendar
Submitting your event to us through the calendar form is one simple step that can
launch wide exposure for your event:
- We use the campus calendar to determine what is posted as a Featured Event on the
home page and internal landing pages, and with enough notice we can also create a
banner ad for the event for the Faculty & Staff and Student landing pages. Note that
large-scale, campus-wide events would go on the homepage banner slider.
- Your event may also be shared on the appropriate social media accounts.
- Depending on the event, we may recommend a dedicated webpage rather than a simple
calendar post. Example: The SVA Dinner in had enough info to fill a webpage, and it looked more professional
to the public they were inviting. By coming to us with the calendar posting in advance,
we also determined that we could help them with registration to sell tickets in advance
conveniently online.
All of this exposure can boost attendance or participation in your event, but without
advance notice, the calendar can’t serve its full potential. Some departments on campus
send all of their events for the semester at the beginning so we can have “save the
date” posts on the calendar, and then send details a couple weeks out to update the
postings.
Exhibit and Print Graphics
- Printed Material: Please contact us to discuss your marketing and comunications needs
for print material. Plan to discuss the event or purpose with us so we can provide
the most effective solution. Submit a C&M project request form to begin the process.
- Exhibit Material: The C&M office has a variety of graphics that you can borrow for
your event. Please submit a C&M project request form to begin the process.
- '8x10' Prestos- These 'pop-up' displays habe minimal text accompanying images representing
facets of the College and The Insitute for Rural Vitality.
-
- 30”x60” Easel Back Boards – promoting campus programs, facts, student clubs, program
offerings, athletics, FFA student quotes, photographic images, research, and more.
- 6’ Logo Banners and 6’x11’ Logo Banner with Tagline
- Custom exhibit and printed material can be created, depending on schedule (four weeks
advance notice please) and your available budget.
How to Tell Us
- Use the Communications & Marketing Request Form on our office webpages to make a formal
request and initiate the discussion.
- For upcoming news stories and events, email or call Caleb Grant, Director of Enrollment
& Marketing 518-475-8038.