Knowing how to plan and pull off an effective press conference should certainly be one of the tools in your kit of media skills. But it shouldn t always be the one you reach for first. Be certain the issue or event you re trumpeting has broad interest. Whenever and wherever you schedule your event, it will be competing with spot news or already-scheduled assignments. Save press conferences for major events.
Timing is everything.
Factor in local media deadlines. Media pros generally schedule conferences between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to have the best chance of getting television coverage. Find out your local paper s news deadlines to figure out when you ll be most likely to attract print reporters. Location, location, location. Choose a place that is easy to find, won t pose logistical problems, and has some visual interest.