Top tips
We've got some great tips below for getting your event in the news.
Elaine Budd from the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry says:"It is important to create a unifying message that is understandable by partners and the city as a whole. The initiative 'Making Plymouth Great' developed with the Herald and which utilised the Enterprise Week platform as a launch, has now become a tool for the city to increase and showcase Plymouth's entrepreneurial spirt during and beyond Enterprise week.
In order to ensure momentum continues, it is important that all communication is consistent and you get all the right partners involved. If you have a clear, understandable message that is communicated consistently, a 'tipping point' occurs and you find that you are then approached with all sorts of new and interesting projects and ideas. The key then is to ensure that they feed back in to the core message to strengthen the initiative as a whole."
Hannah Bourne, PR & Communications manager for the Make Your Mark campaign says:
- If you can, try to get local newspapers, TV or radio stations involved in your Enterprise Week event. For example, you can ask the local radio DJ to host the event, or ask the editor of the local newspaper to be a judge at the event.
- Add colour to your event - think about which local personalities the local newspaper would like to write about. Secure them well in advance and make sure they are happy to tell the media their own inspiring story.
- Think about photo opportunities in advance - this is worth some preparation! Who is going to be in the photo and where will it be taken? Do you need to invite the newspapers photographer or can you take your own photographs?
- Encourage debate around the local enterprise agenda. If you or your organisation has an opinion, share it! Think about commenting on issues like social enterprise, barriers to enterprise for young people and the reasons why fewer women set up in business than men.
Rachel Burkitt, Celebrities & Ambassadors Manager for the Make Your Mark campaign goes through her top tips for getting the right celeb at your event:
- Research, research, research! Ensure you know everything about the celebrity you want to target so you can approach them from the right angle.
- Match with the right celebrity – make sure the celebrity you approach is relevant to your event.
- Go local – you’re more likely to get a local celebrity at your event as they won’t have to travel far and will have a vested interest in the community.
- Provide transport for the celebrity to and from the venue. If you make it as easy as possible for them to attend you're more likely to get the celebrity at your event, especially if you’re not paying them.
- Don't expect the celebrity to stay for the whole event. Make sure they feel comfortable for the length of time they are spending at the event.
- The main reason a celebrity would attend an Enterprise Week event is to get publicity out of it. Issue a photocall and press release and ensure the celebrity knows he/she will get PR out of the event.
- If you can’t get the celebrity to your event, an easier way to add a bit of sparkle to you event is to issues a press release with a quote endorsed by a celebrity.
- Once you’ve confirmed a celebrity appearance at your event, send them a detailed brief of what you want them to do including times, location, a description of the event and a script if they're speaking.
- After the event, keep your relationship warm by sending them a bouquet of flowers or another token of appreciation.
- Always follow up with a thank you letter!