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1. Use this template and revise with your local details (LINK).
Download or select "make a copy" under the File menu to edit, and then revise text in red.
2. Report any coverage afterward using this template (LINK).
Download or select "make a copy" under the File menu to edit, and then send to Press@democratsabroad.org. Please include any mention of DA , no matter how short, whether video, article or blog post, in any language.
3. Tips for Successful Media Pitches
A press release doesn't sell the story, it just gives the details the journalist needs, after they are inspired to read further. Encouraging the journalist to respond and engage is what you'll need to do within your pitch, most frequently done via email.
- Keep your email short - under 200 words - and get straight to the point.
- Address the recipient by their name.
- Every email should be unique and add a personal touch if possible. If you copy/paste an email, they will know it.
- Give a very brief intro into who you am and who your organization is.
- Give an emotional hook for the recipient to want more information.
- Explain how writing about the event will be mutually beneficial.
- Have a good understanding of what the recipient publishes to ensure that the content is completely relevant to them.
- Email subject should be short and encompass the content idea within it.
- Consider reaching out to journalists via social media first.
- Don't be afraid to follow up in email or other means. Some journalists will have their desk phone number and/or social media handles publicly available.
4. Talking Points
Democrats Abroad is the state Democratic party for overseas Americans. We represent the 6.7 million eligible voters overseas (out of 9 million total). That’s a bigger voting bloc than all but 12 US states. We have members in over 190 countries around the world, and 43 country committees. We provide our members with tools to help them stand up for democracy - through regularly published actions, events they can participate in, and a friendly community of like minded American citizens living abroad. Our primary focus is to get out the vote abroad and advocate for overseas American issues... More talking points about DA here: LINK
- Talking points on Common Sense Gun Reform and March For Our Lives events (LINK)
- Talking Points on issues 'in the news' (LINK)
5. Dems Abroad Statement
Democrats Abroad invites all members to join with us as we March for Our Lives. On March 24th we will rise in solidarity with US marches, and rally in cities and towns around the world. We will speak out for gun control and demand that Congress protect the youth of America, and enact gun legislation to end violence and mass shootings in our schools today. (posted to website Feb 19, LINK)
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Julia Bryan, International Chair of Democrats Abroad, states: "Sensible gun legislation is the norm in nearly all other developed countries, where leaders are not beholden to organizations like the NRA to fund their next political campaign. In Japan, death by firearm is as uncommon as death by lightning strike. In the United States, gun fire is as likely to kill our friends and family as a car accident. To accept this reality as the inevitable fallout of protecting the second amendment is to deny the rights our country was founded on - that all people are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights: Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." (posted to website Feb 20, LINK)
DESIGN RESOURCES
Within the MFOL Design Resources, you will find:
Files that can be printed as banners
Files that can be printed as postcards (both at home and by commercial/bulk printing)
Files that can be printed as A3 signs for the march
GLOBAL VIRTUAL EVENT
Especially for those members who cannot attend a live event, we will be conducting a virtual march, similar to our actions around Charlottesville in 2017. These details will be provided to all members by Monday March 19 and will then be updated here.
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Call your Senators and Representatives to take urgent action (LINK).
DESIGN RESOURCES
Within the MFOL Design Resources, you will find:
...
Files that can be printed as banners
...
Files that can be printed as postcards (both at home and by commercial/bulk printing)
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