Making Headlines: Media Skills for Non-Profits with Jesse Wiederhold

Mark your calendar for the next two KCF Nonprofit Education and Networking Series sessions taking place on September 30th and November 11th at the Hancock Community Hub Sunnyside Community Room.

Series Description

Getting meaningful media coverage for your non-profit provides visibility and is invaluable for building local support for your organization’s goals. In a fast-paced world of news, it can be challenging to grab the attention of local publications. Jesse Wiederhold, Public Relations and Events Coordinator at Visit Keweenaw, will share best practices for engaging with media partners, from writing press releases and pitching your story, to nailing on-camera interviews and building a positive rapport with your contacts. You’ll learn the ins and outs of a newsroom and how you can make the media’s job easy to keep them coming back for more stories. With nearly eight years of professional writing, journalism, and media relations experience, Jesse will help you feel confident telling your stories. This session will be broken into two parts. You are not required to attend both sessions.

Part One: Getting in the Door
September 30th, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Before the cameras roll, you need to know how to get your story in front of the right people. In this first session, Jesse will walk you through the fundamentals of working with the medium from understanding what makes something “newsworthy” to identifying the best person to pitch to. You’ll learn how to choose the right outreach approach, craft your pitch or press release for maximum impact, and present information in a way that’s newsroom-friendly. By the end, you’ll know how to speak the media’s language so your story gets noticed.

Part Two: In the Spotlight
November 11th, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Once you’ve secured coverage, it’s time to shine on camera. In this follow-up session, Jesse will share how to prepare for interviews and look confident in the moment, from dressing appropriately for your audience to controlling your body language and facial expressions. (And even how to NOT feel camera shy!). You’ll get tips on pacing your speech, avoiding common pitfalls, and answering questions with clarity and authenticity. Whether it’s a quick soundbite or a full segment, you’ll leave ready to represent your organization like a pro.

About the KCF Nonprofit Education and Networking Series
The KCF Nonprofit Education and Networking Series is designed to strengthen local organizations through shared learning, resources, and collaboration. Sessions are free and open to anyone looking to support their community more effectively. Registration is not required.