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Getting good news about your HOA

It's challenging, getting the media to run good news about an HOA, but it can be done...carefully.

You need to identify something good going on -- something newsworthy -- because capturing the imagination of editors and reporters can be extremely challenging. There's a lot of news and publicity competing for coverage. Recently, we've seen some examples of positive news where HOAs honored emergency responders and other public service workers for addressing community needs.

Sending a press release to your local newspaper or other media may get attention, or there may be an opportunity to contact a reporter by phone or email -- maybe someone you already know -- to discuss what's happening at your HOA.

But before you make contact, you need to think through a number of things:
  • Just about any time you're in touch with a reporter, generally everything's on the record. What you say or write can be used in a story. Even something mentioned casually, off-the-cuff. You'll need to think carefully about what you're planning to say...or email.
  • It's a good idea to try to anticipate questions the reporter might ask.
  • After you've anticipated questions, ask yourself if you have at hand solid information about the event or activity you'd like to publicize? So you can respond to any questions that might be asked. But if you've missed something and can't immediately respond to a particular question, you might explain to the reporter...I'll need to get back to you with further information.
  • You're trying to publicize good news about a positive event, but is anything happening at your HOA -- anything controversial -- that could somehow be brought to a reporter's attention? Especially if the reporter visits your HOA to cover the story? What if a resident who's disgruntled about something or other happens to stop by as you're being interviewed. This can happen. An unhappy homeowner gets the reporter's attention. Try to be prepared for almost anything that might occur.
(For more information, contact us at: hoastrategic@gmail.com)

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