Free NECN Workshop Feb. 4: Get Your News Out: Learn the basics of press release writing, social media campaigns and more

Woman is interviewed by TV news crew.

Photo by Lisa Loving

Do you dream of motivating the public to support your nonprofit or grassroots project? Are you inspired but looking for support and information about how to get the word out?

Join NECN’s Lisa Loving for a live workshop on how to publicize your events, activities and projects, noon-2 p.m Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, on Zoom and in person at NECN’s offices in the King Neighborhood Facility, 4815 NE 7th Ave., Portland, 97211.

At the end of this workshop, you will have a general overview of: creating relationships with media gatekeepers; building up a social media following that acts when you need it to; writing press releases and getting them out to the media; creating electronic newsletters; basic graphic design tools and more.

A 30-minute refreshment break will be held at the halfway mark in the workshop so participants can socialize and share ideas informally.

Participants will receive a workbook of links and resources for future study and support in their projects.

Loving says she hopes participants will learn a little bit about the bigger picture of grassroots public relations but ultimately innovate their own approach.

“So many people all throughout our networks are building big beautiful ideas into concrete projects,” Loving says. “We’d like to help those folks get the word out on their events and services and build towards even bigger things in the future.”

Loving is the communications director at the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, and author of “Street Journalist: Report the News in Your Community.” She worked for 10 years as the news editor at The Skanner News in Portland and Seattle, and 30 years as a producer/reporter/director at KBOO Community Radio.

The workshop is free, but RSVP is required. Email Lisa@necoalition.org for links and more information.