You can get your story in the paper for free by writing a Letter to the Editor.
Does anyone still read a paper? Yes, they do. Many more in digital form, but local weekly papers are still highly popular and well read.
What should you write in your letter?
DO NOT promote an upcoming event. Use your social media for that. DO say thank you and call out special people who made contributions to an event or a campaign.
In an LTE you can share your pride and success with your friends and neighbors in a very public way.
Let’s write a Letter to the Editor.
Dear Editor,
The Rotary Club of Your Town, Wisconsin wants to thank the community for supporting the 32nd annual Fish Boil. You help us feed hungry children and keep the heat on for our Seniors every year. This year more than 437 dinners were served. Our high school Interact club members were servers and helped to clean up when we were all finished. Margie Olson played the piano, and her husband Ole played the accordion. Everyone had a chance to sing songs and enjoy some tasty cod from Clarence’s Cod Center and a piece of pie from Grace’s Good Food diner. We couldn’t do this without you. See you next year!
John Jacob Jones, III, President, Rotary Club of Anytown, WI
Keys to success: The event already happened, so it’s not an advertisement. You’re not promoting it or selling a ticket. You’re THANKING the community. You share a few details, but you’re not telling a story. The focus is on thanking rather than telling. And you can thank sponsors and donors, too. They love to see their names ‘in print’.
How do you send a Letter to the Editor? Find the website for the publication. LTEs are included in the Opinion section of most newspapers. There you will usually find a submittal form to fill out. Have your letter prepared so you can block and copy it into the space provided.
Post your letter to your social media and ask people to look for it in the paper. Tag your donors and sponsors. Even our own Rotary magazine includes letters to the editor. A simple Letter to the Editor can build goodwill and better friendships.
Lynn Perez-Hewitt,
Past-President, Rotary Club of Fitchburg Verona Horizons
Past PI Chair, Districts 6250, 5470, 5500