Let's Get Started (a.k.a. Activity Request(s): Monday)

[Note: As always any sample messages, letters, etc. that we provide are just that, “samples.” The samples are just what we’re sending out from this end and you are strongly encouraged to use your own judgment, voice and perspectives. Our prose, tone and approach can always be improved upon and quite frankly a good mix of perspectives is better than following our samples verbatim. We’re not the most reverent and that may or may not be good (we’re just expressing one opinion among almost a 1000 different member opinions). We don’t do messaging for the group (nor do we aspire to) or ever speak for the group, but instead merely facilitate our members’ ability to speak at once for more power and volume. If you’re a “professional communicator” or would like to help with recruiting, research, administration, etc. shoot us a note and we’ll be happy to get you involved. There is no lack of work to be done.]

1) Create your own version of a short and a long media pitch to use for online and e-mail outlets. [See sample below] Some online forms limit the number of words or characters and we on this end find out those limitations, if any, the same time you do.
2) Remember to save whatever you write somewhere on your computer so you don’t have to recreate the wheel over and over.
3) Simply make media pitching a mindless simple for you repetitive exercise that you can do almost with your eyes closed.

While what you say is important, at the end of the day it’s a numbers game. Whatever group can muster the numbers and relentless effort to compel the media to cover their story wins. It’s just that simple! If you burn out and give up - we lose . . . don’t let that happen! Just make this ongoing media pitching effort a paste in your message, fill in the blanks (or e-mail address) and send exercise that you do over and over and over. You should be able to do it while chatting on the phone, waiting for something to download, etc. It’s more about willpower and perseverance than brainpower . . . and every brain needs a break ;-)

As a disclaimer: We on this end may or may not agree with a media outlet’s “orientation” and do NOT endorse any publication we pitch. We’re simply seeking media coverage anywhere we can get it and are receptive to your ideas, so please pass them along.

DO NOT FORGET TO KEEP US POSTED ON ANY AND ALL HR3149 COVERAGE YOU READ OR VIEW!

Media Outlets for Monday as follows:

NBC News & MSNBC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29104230/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28437928/ns/msnbc_tv-morning_joe/

hardball@msnbc.com

Countdown@msnbc.com

rachel@msnbc.com

Chicago Tribune

AZajac@tribune.com

mebazer@gmail.com

SChapman@tribune.com

http://getsatisfaction.com/chicago_tribune

USA Today

http://feedbackforms.usatoday.com/marketing/feedback/feedback-online.aspx?type=18

Roll Call

http://www.rollcall.com/cgi-bin/udt/fdc.collector?client_id=rollcall&form_id=maileditform&link_id=197

http://www.rollcall.com/cgi-bin/udt/fdc.collector?client_id=rollcall&form_id=maileditform&link_id=246

http://www.rollcall.com/cgi-bin/udt/fdc.collector?client_id=rollcall&form_id=maileditform&link_id=15

http://www.rollcall.com/cgi-bin/udt/fdc.collector?client_id=rollcall&form_id=maileditform&link_id=510

http://www.rollcall.com/cgi-bin/udt/fdc.collector?client_id=rollcall&form_id=maileditform&link_id=68

[Sample Media Pitch Communication – Long Version] When you need something shorter, simply cut it down and edit to fit . . .

As a loyal member of your audience, it’s clear that you cover the big political picture such as the outrageous bonuses of $150 billion being paid out on Wall Street. You also do a great job of reporting the dismal numbers resulting directly from Wall Street’s greed, such as 7.2 million lost jobs and 15.3 million Americans currently unemployed.

Why is it then that you’ve given zero attention and coverage whatsoever to the human suffering behind those numbers via workplace discrimination based upon Americans’ personal credit reports? By your silence you’re condoning this horrible workplace discrimination of your fellow Americans?

HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act that would alleviate this egregious form of discrimination has sat stalled in the House Financial Services Committee since July. It’s obviously being stalled by corporate PACs and their lobbyists, but journalists by oath are supposed to be above being muzzled. Why then can’t we depend on you to follow the corporate money trail and report the truth behind the stalling tactics in Congress?

The following links detail the political contributions from just two of the big three credit bureaus alone (not to mention the millions from corporations in general). Apparently in Washington money talks (or muzzles) . . . please help to expose the “corruption” of American democracy.

Equifax: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/fec/?commid=C00143867&page=campaigns&order=TOTAL&cycle=2007-2008

Trans Union:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/fec/?commid=C00313700&page=campaigns&order=TOTAL&cycle=2007-2008

What value do you deliver in reporting the horrible numbers without helping to alleviate the suffering by reporting on a solution? By simply allowing highly qualified Americans to work, instead of locking them out of the workforce via unfair discrimination, you’ll take millions off the current rolls of the unemployed overnight. That saves the taxpayers money, reduces the ever burgeoning Federal deficit and corrects an absolutely horrible WRONG! With this common sense solution as a backdrop, why is HR3149 not part of the so called “jobs bill” now being debated in the Senate (that will cost billions more in tax dollars)? Why is it that when a jobs solution is absolutely FREE to the taxpayer it gets no coverage? Is it only a good “jobs idea” when Congress can use a bill to enrich more of their friends somehow at taxpayer expense?

In case you missed the message sent during the recent MA Senate election - it’s jobs and the economy that “the people” care about first and foremost. The anger at Wall Street is about their greed destroying the economy and the personal credit reports of millions of Americans - while they collect billions of dollars in bonuses. It’s WRONG!

I’m confident that since 90 percent of your audience is just like me, they demand that you expose the money trail behind the stalling of HR3149. They also demand that you provide coverage of HR3149 so the people can decide on passage instead of lobbyists and corporate PACs. That’s called “democracy by the people.” Passage of HR3149 is paramount to our nation’s economic recovery and demands your attention. Please answer to the demands of your audience by helping to expose the money trail and those responsible for the stalling of HR3149. Your fellow Americans need YOUR help!

[End Sample Letter for Media Outlets listed above]

Remember to Work All Your Media Outlets
Don’t forget to work your local media outlets in your geographic area such as newspapers, blogs, TV stations, etc. and remember to post comments on web boards and articles along with our FB group URL at http://groups.to/h.r.3149/ (or simply type hr3149 into FB search) and our e-mail address hr3149@gmail.com Every effort you make counts to grow our voice via our group and to expose HR3149 to the American public. Once they know about HR319 “the people” will get it passed.