Editorial Board Meetings

An editorial board meeting whether it is with an entire, formal board or with a single editorial writer gives you an unique opportunity to persuade a newspaper to write an editorial advocating a particular point of view.

Tips for Making Your Editorial Meeting a Success:

• When you call for an appointment, let the secretary know who will attend and what you want to discuss.
• If you go with a group, keep it small. Diversity within your group will add to the credibility of your message.
• Before the meeting, know what your newspaper has written on your subject in the past.
• Meet among yourselves to decide what to say.
• Make your case early in the meeting, and then let the editorial writer ask questions.
• Take written material, fact sheets and other supporting documents.
• Never stretch the facts or speculate on points you are not sure of.
• Leave the name and telephone number of your group.
• When the meeting is over, let the editorial writer know you think the issue is an important one and worthy of an editorial.
• Follow up with a thank you letter.
• If the editorial writer intends to write an editorial contrary to your position, ask to write an op-ed piece to run the same day.
• Bring an Allied Voice.
• Have a pre-meeting to make sure attendees are on message!