• Don't post media releases on Fridays, as they more easily 'go astray' if they arrive at the weekend, when fewer staff are working.
• Try 'quiet news' times to encourage inclusion of your story: Mondays, Bank Holidays, August and Christmas.
• For events, send media releases a week before, (with an absolute minimum of at least two days).
• Control and co-ordinate coverage of your story by telling journalists when to release it. You can do this by heading your media releases: "Embargoed until 'time/date'". to co-ordinate coverage or for time-sensitive stories.
• Fax if you can.
• Follow up with a phone call.

• For news stories, send to the News Editor - no need to name a journalist.
• Use personal contacts if you have them, but also send to the News Editor.
• For features use the Features Editor, but also phone them.
• For letters to the Editor, send to the Letters Editor and check for fax numbers or e-mail addresses.

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