How to Create a Local Media List

Want to get the attention of your local press, but don’t know how? Stories in your local media are a great way to generate awareness of SCORE, promote local workshops or generate mentor requests and volunteer applications. The first step is reaching out to the right media contacts. Check out these easy tips on how to build a strong local press list. 

1. Most cities have four local TV stations (FOX, CBS, NBC and ABC). Be sure to include those local affiliates on your press list. You can also include PBS, Univision, Telemundo or independent TV stations if your area has those, as well. 
   • Once you have these TV stations on your press list, include the newsroom email and newsroom phone number. These can generally be found on the TV station’s Facebook page or ‘contact us’ section on the station website. Direct contact to the newsroom is the best way to reach local TV station decisionmakers.
   • If you cannot find a newsroom email, it is best practice to call the station and ask for the best email contact for local small business news. 
2. Next, think of any news radio stations you listen to in your hometown and add them to the list as well. Generally speaking, do not include any music-based radio stations. Stick to news radio only. 
   • For radio stations, include their newsroom email and newsroom phone number on your list. If there are any reporters who regularly cover small business, local community news, entrepreneurship or nonprofits, include their personal email address as well. If you know the name of the reporter, their email information can be found on the station website or the reporter’s Twitter profile if they have one.
   • If you cannot find a newsroom or reporter email, it is best practice to call the station and ask for the best email contact for local small business news or a pitch or for the contact information of the reporter you are trying to reach.
3. Include any local newspapers or blogs that cover your town or area. 
   • Newspapers or blogs are a bit different. Instead of reaching out to the newsroom, it is best to contact these reporters directly via email. For example, if there is a reporter who covers small businesses, local communities, entrepreneurship or nonprofits in your town, find that reporter’s email and send them a personal note with your pitch or press release. Reporter emails can generally be found on the paper’s website or on the reporter’s Twitter profile if they have one.
   • If you cannot find the reporter email, feel free to call the newsroom, identify who you are, why you are calling, and ask for that reporter’s email so you can send them a press release or a pitch. 
4. If you’re not sure what TV stations are in your area, click here for the Top 100 Media Markets in the country. Click here for the smaller TV markets throughout the country if you’re in a smaller town. 
5. See an example of a small sample press list here. Build your own in a format that works for you and be sure to share it with your chapter leadership or other volunteers that are assisting with outreach.

As always, our public relations team (media@score.org) is here to provide additional guidance as needed. Thank you for sharing your chapter’s success and accomplishments!