Publicity Resources

Program sponsors are expected to carry out a thorough publicity plan to draw the largest possible audience to a program. Below are tips for promoting your program, as well as helpful resources provided by FHC.

Click here for downloadable resources 

Tips for publicizing your program

- Newspapers. Send a press release to local newspapers two or three weeks in advance of your program. Press releases are most effective when e-mailed directly to appropriate editors and/or reporters. Follow-up with a phone call to an editor or reporter to increase your chances of having a story published.   

-Radio. Send a public service announcement or a copy of your press release to local radio stations prior to your program. Follow-up with a phone call to news directors asking them to play the PSA when they think it will reach most people. Road Scholars are usually happy to conduct telephone interviews about upcoming programs—ask the new director about scheduling an interview with the station.  

-Special Interest Groups. Promote your program to groups who might be interested in the topic, such as civic, religious or environmental groups, as well as teachers, local colleges, and senior citizen communities. Send a press release and ask if they will publish the information in their newsletter or at their next meeting. Ask about including announcements on e-mail listservs and bulletin boards. 

-Posters. FHC will send customized 11x17” posters to program sponsors. Display posters wherever people congregate to read notices: libraries, churches, community centers, outdoor kiosks, or bulletin boards at coffee shops and grocery stores.

-Fliers. FHC will send a customized flier to program sponsors (or make your own here). Make copies of your flier to create a mailing for your organization’s membership base. Post fliers on local bulletin boards, etc. 

How FHC Helps

FHC provides these downloadable resources to help publicize Road Scholars programs:

- High resolution photographs of scholars
- High resolution photographs of book covers
- Logos (Florida Humanities Council, Road Scholars, and University Press of Florida)
- Scholars’ biographies
- A form for creating customized event fliers
- Hand-outs for audiences

FHC also provides the following:

- Customized 11"x17" publicity posters
- A planning packet that includes: a program planning checklist, a scholar introduction, scholar’s contact information, a list of equipment needed for the program and evaluation forms.   
- Postcard announcements mailed to FHC members in targeted regions
- E-mail notices sent to FHC members in targeted regions
- Entry on our Web site Calendar of Events

Click here for downloadable resources