Families Day - publicity tips
Newspaper community notices
If your local newspaper has a free events calendar be sure to contact them to list your event. Get in early and contact the paper two weeks prior to your event as newspapers have an advanced deadline. Otherwise you may need to pay to advertise your event.
Ensure all the important details are included in a public notice advertising your event, ie venue, date, time, purpose, and any event-specific information. Try to keep it as brief and informative as possible.
Celebrate with other families at a Families Day evening picnic in the park
Where: Marilyn Park, 14 Queens Drive, Brotown
When: 15 May, 6.30pm
BYO picnic. Free sausage sizzle and entertainment. All ages welcome.
Radio community notices
Many radio stations include a free on-air community noticeboard. Contact your local station to list your event. Often stations prefer at least 10 days notice.
Send a media release
See our guide on how to write a media release for advice on getting your event covered in your local paper.
Call your local radio station
Call the local radio station and ask for the station manager, to discuss how you can work together to promote your event, as well as to cover it on the day. If you get them on board with the message they may do it for free.
Staging a photo opportunity
The media is always interested in things that are out of the ordinary, particularly if it involves a good photo opportunity. Try doing something one week before your event and make sure the press know about it and are invited! But make sure your idea isn't dangerous or illegal!
Sponsored newspaper advertising
A lot of newspapers exist on advertising. It’s common for them to arrange whole page advertisement features based around a theme. Why not suggest to your local paper that they find supporters in the local community to place ads on a Families Day spread? With any luck (and a bit of persuasion!) they may run a free article about your event on the same page.
Library displays
Public library displays are a great way of promoting your event. Usually you need to book in advance, so get in quick!
Circulate posters and flyers
Download the Families Day poster from our website, fill in your information and distribute throughout your community as posters or flyers.
Contact your networks
Using your own networks in order to prompt word-of-mouth publicity, can be very effective. Email or phone all the people you know and ask them to spread the word.
School newsletters
Call all your local schools and ask whether you can put a notice in their school newsletters. If teachers and students know about your event they can get the word out to parents.
Letter to the editor
Two weeks before your event you could write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper talking about the value of families in our society and the objectives of Families Day, encouraging all families to celebrate the day.