There are a number of ways to garner more publicity for outstanding students, teachers, and projects. In addition to the suggestions on the Communications page, you may want to drum up some publicity. Here are some steps to get started.

Press Releases

Press releases can be a practical starting point for earned media coverage. Create and share press releases with local, Regional, and Affiliate-level media contacts for major announcements: new Board members, winners of the local contest moving to the next contest level, teachers nominated for major awards, students and teachers who may be involved in a competitively funded NHD program, and more. 

• Sample National Contest Publicity: National Contest Overview Page

• Sample: Affiliate Contest Publicity: Affiliate Contest Page

Pitches and Media Contacts

Learn the names of the education beat reporters for your local newspaper(s) and gather their contact information for press releases. In addition, look up who does the local human interest and feel-good stories for the local newspaper, morning news, and radio (especially NPR affiliates). Send these contacts your press releases and pitches for story ideas. Pitches should be short: a few sentences and three bullets, always answering the question: Why this story for this media outlet for these readers/listeners/watchers? 

• Sample Affiliate Pitch

• Sample NHD Pitch

• NHD Database access

Media Alerts

Shorter than a press release, a media alert invites relevant members of the press to events, such as the local, Regional, or Affiliate contest. 

• Sample Media Alert

Communications and Public Relations Professionals 

Your institution—whether at your school or school district level--and/or at your partner institutions--your historical museum or library, etc.—will have professionals on staff who may be able to share resources, ideas, and advice for all of the above. 

• The NHD Director of Communications may also be of help and may be reached at Communications@NHD.Org.