Communications, and Exploiting the Media (draft)

 

Communicating with who? And how?

Introductory brainstorm with the whole group on target audiences for their campaigns, and possible means of getting the message to them.

Reaching other activists

A lot of the time, we need our message to get to other activists, because we want them to be a part of the campaign.

• Getting a cheap or free website
• Activist email lists, news-sites and forums
• The 'little black book' approach

 

'Internal' Communications

A lot of campaigns have a small organising cabal, and a larger body of semi-active supporters who feel unengaged. This is a waste of these supporters' energies, and unsustainable for student groups where lead organisers quickly move on or graduate. Communications can be a painless solution to both of these problems.

• Email discussion lists
• Wikis
• SWARMit

Reaching the general public (the sexy media stuff)

Reaching the general public is the hardest part, here's how to do it.

Aside on using talks, leaflets, graffitti etc to reach your audience directly.

• When to use the mainstream media
• How to get your group's action in the papers, on TV and on the radio.
  
• How not to get misrepresented
• Winning the subsequent debate