News-Record.com

I'm slightly embarrassed because getting news into the paper shouldn't be a mystery. We want it to be easy. Our goal is to say "yes" to every request, particularly those in Guilford County. It's more complicated than that, but only a little bit.

I'm going to divide my answer into two areas: one for news releases about events, achievements, meetings and the like; and another for events you want a reporter to attend.

Here are some tips for news releases:

* Make sure you send it to the right person. We're a large company and get a lot of mail. A release sent in care of the News & Record generally will find its way to the newsroom, but not always. Every day on page A2, we publish the relevant contact information for most inquiries. When in doubt, call Theresa Apple at 373-7052, and she can direct you to the right person. Or send the information directly to me.

* Make sure you include all basic details: who, what, where, when and cost, if any. Include a contact personss name and phone number. You would be surprised at the number of event announcements that don’t mention the date.

* Double-check the information. Phone numbers, addresses, dates, days of the week. Incorrect information from the source is the second most common reason for corrections in the paper. (Carelessness on our part is the first, he adds sheepishly.)

* Get the information to us sooner rather than later. Interesting items often arrive the day of an event, precluding any need to publish them. Use e-mail if you can; it’s arrives instantly.

* Send photos. Cindy Loman, editor of The Guilford Record and the Rock Creek Record, reminds me the best way to tell a story is often through photos. "A good example is a photo package we published earlier this month from Moriah United Methodist's 1907 Day, complete with period costumes. They sent in wonderful shots."

* If you leave a phone message, be specific. Provide more than just a name and number. Tell us what you’re calling about. We can route the message easier and make sure the right person contacts you.

Unfortunately, we can't say "yes" to every request to send a staff member to cover a story. We have many more requests than we have reporters. All of the advice above applies, and here are a few questions we’ll ask about the story:

* Is it of wide public interest? Think of it this way: A pothole on a rural road is one thing; a sinkhole on widely traveled Wendover Avenue is another.

* Is it unique? Guilford County seems to have as many fundraisers as it has oak trees. How is your fundraiser different from the others? City Editor Teresa Prout puts it this way: "A smart 9-year-old may be special, but isn't unique. A smart 9-year-old who starts her own company is special AND unique."

* Is it detailed with examples? Suggesting we write about, say, the health care crisis, is not as compelling as telling us that you know someone caught on the wrong end of it who will talk with us about it.

If we can't cover your event, don't take the rejection lying down. We encourage you to cover it for us. I know that some people are nervous about publishing their writing. My advice is to send us some photographs. They often tell the story just fine.

Here's a bonus question: What is our best source for news?
(a) You
(b) All of the above.