How to Send a Quizbowl Press Release
Every quizbowl tournament should attempt to alert the media to the upcoming event and should send out a press release with the results of the event. Here is a brief guide to how to format a press release (for both pre- and post- tournament purposes) and who to send the release to.
The basic format:
1. What happened during the tournament/what the tournament is (if the press release is being sent before the tournament). After the tournament, a brief recap of "who won," probably with the score of the final game or final record of the winning team, will suffice. Include basic info like "when" and "where" the tournament took place here as well for both pre and post tournament releases.
2. What quizbowl is. Again, keep this brief and use whatever local terms for quizbowl (academic bowl, scholars bowl, etc.) that you might have in your area.
3. At this point, you can start discussing in a bit more detail what happened during the tournament. You may want to indicate which teams qualified for the national championships as well (if any) based on their performance. Did a team go on an impressive run? Was there a dominating individual performance? Any surprises?
If this is being sent before the tournament, be sure to list all the local schools competing and perhaps include some potential storylines (who's the defending champions, who's ranked higher in the polls, etc.).
4. Is this tournament an annual event? Who put it on? You can include a bit more information here at this point about the sponsors of the event.
Who to send it to:
1. Local newspapers are a good starting point, but you need to find the right people at the paper. Look for education reporters and reporters who cover specific local beats where your tournament's field is from and send it to their emails. If you can't find a specific person's contact info or form, send it to a "news tip" address.
2. Also target other media outlets such as local public radio, local television stations, local magazines, and local blogs (especially those with an education section).
3. Don't forget local politicians such as mayors or state legislators. Those often love to re-tweet or trumpet their constituents' accomplishments. Look in particular for any office of education contact.
4. Perhaps most importantly, the superintendents of districts of the winning and high-placing teams.
Credit to Matt Weiner for many of these suggestions.