When Media Relations collaborated with our affiliate, Checkerboard Web Development on its recent Nonprofit Web Rescue Contest, we knew that one of our best promotional tactics would be to spread the word through local print media. This article in the Northfield News is an example of the coverage we arranged. As a result of our media coverage, many worthy nonprofit organizations were nominated and thousands of votes were tallied during the following weeks. Because submissions and votes came in through Checkerboard’s Facebook page, the company experienced a big jump in its fan numbers.
Getting publicity for contests can be tricky. Editors will examine the details closely to confirm that the contest and its prize(s) have broad audience appeal. In this case, editors embraced the contest because we asked the public to nominate and vote for nonprofits that deserved to win a website makeover. The winning nonprofit will also receive a $5000 media campaign. This contest was a way for readers to support deserving nonprofits in their own communities.
If you have a promotional idea such as a contest, and aren’t sure if it will appeal to the media, give us a call. We’d be happy to strategize with you, and discuss how your idea may be used to support your other marketing tactics.