Making Your Voice Heard Through Media Training
RESULTS Media Training empowers individuals to use media effectively in advocating against oppression and poverty. The movement promotes anti-oppression values, advocates for social change, and provides resources for impactful advocacy strategies like writing letters to the editor and op-eds. Discover how to influence political decisions and create inclusive spaces to address pressing social issues.
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Presentation Transcript
RESULTS Media Training Using Media to Make Your Voice Heard
2 Our Anti-Oppression Values RESULTS is a movement of passionate, committed everyday people. Together we use our voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. Poverty cannot end as long as oppression exists. We commit to opposing all forms of oppression, including racism, classism, colonialism, white saviorism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, and religious discrimination. At RESULTS we pledge to create space for all voices, including those of us who are currently experiencing poverty. We will address oppressive behavior in our interactions, families, communities, work, and world. Our strength is rooted in our diversity of experiences, not in our assumptions. With unearned privilege comes the responsibility to act so the burden to educate and change doesn t fall solely on those experiencing oppression. When we miss the mark on our values, we will acknowledge our mistake, seek forgiveness, learn, and work together as a community to pursue equity. There are no saviors only partners, advocates, and allies. We agree to help make the RESULTS movement a respectful, inclusive space. Find all our anti-oppression resources at: https://results.org/volunteers/anti-oppression/
4 Advocacy Works! If your member of Congress has not already come to a decision on an issue, how much influence do the following advocacy strategies have: RESULTS volunteers have gotten over 4,000 media pieces published since 2017! Source: Congressional Management Foundation, 2017
5 Letters to the Editor and Op-eds Letter to the editor (LTE) Op-ed Opinion page, usually under the editorial Opinion page, along the side/at the bottom Appears 150-250 words (approximately 5-7 sentences) 600-700 words (approximately 5-7 paragraphs) Length You, public figures, experts, op-ed writers Author You
6 Letters to the editor
8 Think of your issue as we go What issue(s) do you care about? Who has the power to influence that issue?
9 Opinion media is simple _____________ should _____________. (person) (action)
10 Structure of LTEs (works for Op-eds too) 3 components Local & timely hook Why it matters Call to action
11 Letters to the Editor Structure How it appears Local & timely hook Why it matters Call to action How you write it Local & timely hook Why it matters Call to action
12 Letters to the Editor Structure How it appears Local & timely hook Why it matters Call to action How you write it Local & timely hook Why it matters Call to action
13 Letters to the Editor Structure How it appears 1. Local & timely hook 2. Why it matters 3. Call to action How you write it 1.CALL TO ACTION 2. Why it matters 3. Local & timely hook
14 Call to Action Be specific Legislation name? Funding number? Person to speak to? Be succinct Letters: keep to one sentence if possible, with a clear, concise request Mention lawmaker s name Tell them by name what you want them to do
15 Call to Action Child Tax Credit I urge Sens. Hawley and Schmitt to pass an expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) this year that ensures families with low-income receive the the full credit amount. Global Poverty I urge Reps. Cleaver and Bush to co-sponsor the End TB Now Act and urge House leadership to pass it before the end of the year.
16 Letters to the Editor/Op-ed Structure How it appears 1. Local & timely hook 2. Why it matters 3. Call to action How you write it 1. Call to action 2.WHY IT MATTERS 3. Local & timely hook
17 Why it matters Why do I care about this issue? What makes this compelling now? Why does my member of Congress/candidate need to know about it? When possible, use STORIES to help illustrate your facts Facts make you credible. Stories make you memorable.
18 Why it matters Why do I care? The expanded CTC helped cut child poverty by 46 percent in 2021. What makes this compelling now? Since the CTC monthly payments stopped child poverty has skyrocketed. Inflation has made the financial strain on families worse. Why does my member of Congress/candidate need to know about it? Congress helped make an historic reduction in child poverty in 2021. They can do it again! Personal Story. My family received the CTC payments last year. Here is how they helped us.
19 Letters to the Editor/Op-ed Structure How it appears 1. Local & timely hook 2. Why it matters 3. Call to action How you write it 1. Call to action 2. Why it matters 3.LOCAL & TIMELY HOOK
20 Local Can you connect your issue to something happening in your community?
21 Timely A recent news story in the paper you are submitting to is always a good hook (election, poverty, taxes, housing, inflation, COVID, health care, etc). Search newspaper website for headlines, or keywords on news.google.com. Follow papers on social media
22 Timely Current event in the news, e.g. local event, holiday, etc.
23 Timely Invoking a commonly-shared community value can also be compelling. Democratic process Making our voices heard Members of same community Golden Rule State motto
24 Remember - write in reverse! 3 components in order of writing Call to action Why it matters Local & timely hook
25 Remember submit in order! 3 components in order of submission Call to action Why it matters Local & timely hook
26 SEND IT 100 percent of unsent media never gets published! Submitting your LTE: Check the paper s website for how to submit usually via e-mail or an online form You can also submit it on the RESULTS website (https://results.org/volunteers/action-center/)
27 Additional Tips Always check your word count. Check your paper s website for word limits; LTEs generally 150-250 words Just write. If you re stuck, just start writing. Get into the flow. You can worry about length, cohesion, etc. in editing. Be persistent and patient keep at it! If paper doesn t publish, try again or try another Leverage your media Send copies of your media to relevant congressional aides Share on social media Urge others to respond to your media Let RESULTS know at https://results.org/report-media
28 Anyone can do it!
29 Resources RESULTS Media Tools: https://results.org/volunteers/media-tools/ (including media generated by RESULTS volunteers) RESULTS Online Media Actions: https://results.org/volunteers/action- center/ Leveraging Media: https://results.org/wp-content/uploads/Leveraging- Media-Chart.pdf RESULTS Media Report Form: https://results.org/report-media/ Jos Linn jlinn@results.org (202) 783-7100, x. 203
@RESULTS_Tweets /RESULTSEdFund www.results.org @voices4results
