Media Relations and Publicity

Often when we are part of a project or group it is difficult to see how others perceive our work. It is important that you think about media relations and publicity surrounding your group or project. You’ll want to decide who is responsible for talking to the media about the group or project. You will also need to think about your presence on social media.

Social Media

Many organizations have a social media policy. While this may seem extreme, it speaks to the importance of social media in our lives. The internet is the top place people search for information. If the information online is not consistent with your group’s vision or not up to date, this can injure your group’s image. This does not mean you need to have a webpage designed, it just means you need to have a conversation about what role social media will play in your project.

Photos and Permissions

What is your group’s position in regard to photographs of participants online and in media releases? A few things to ask are:

• Are we working with minors who could potentially be victimized by having their images online?
• Are you working with any people who are in protective care or have sought protective care in the past?
• Are the participants in this group comfortable having their picture online?
• Do you have photography equipment that makes the group and art look professional?
• Do you have photography equipment that makes the group and art look professional?
• Do the photos we have show the art, community and participants in the light we want them to be seen in?

Social Media Accounts

There are many social media tools at your disposal to highlight your work. While 20 years ago, you would have had to pay a lot of money to reach an audience of thousands or millions, today we have the internet. Your group may want to open a Facebook group, LinkedIn group or Twitter account to share your work with the community and other interested people.

Some things to consider:

• Who will be in charge of making posts? Tweeting?
• Do you or your group members have enough time to regularly create and post content (approximately three to four hours a week)?
• If more than one person is creating or posting, is a consistent online voice important to your group and image?
• Who will be responsible for checking and replying to emails?