Basic communications tips for migration NGOs in crisis-hit Greece
Presentation from the conference: “The silent humanitarian crisis in Greece: strategies to improve the situation of migrants” on December 4, 2012 in Athens
crisis-‐hit Greece For the conference: “The silent humanitarian crisis in Greece: strategies to improve the situa+on of migrants” Mehran Khalili [[email protected]] Athens, December 3, 2012
audiences, it will help you achieve your organisa+on’s goals • Because you are already controlling your message anyway, even if you’re not aware of it • Because your opponents are doing it Why build a comms machine at all?
• Publica+ons • Posi+on papers • Campaign websites • Photography Decision makers Tradi+onal media GENERAL PUBLIC Volunteer community Social media Le_ers Mee+ngs Video Press release/ pitching Blog post
• Ensure your story relates to achieving a core objec(ve of your organisa(on that is as measureable as possible • Choose your message and audience based on this objec+ve
• Neutral language; drain the drama • For maximum impact, let the facts tell the story. Show, don’t tell • Use links and footnotes to recent, relevant, authorita+ve data sources
Stories that, to date, have not been well covered: • Vital context: Migrants in Greece are not a monolithic group • Big-‐picture solu+ons to the humanitarian crisis • Posi+ve stories: Daily lives of migrants in Greece (as opposed to vic+m stories)
• Go beyond text to “show, don’t tell” • Photography, video, infographics are more engaging, and can go viral (text can’t) • Doesn’t have to cost: use volunteers
• Understand what’s being wri_en and discussed about migra+on in Greece • Find out who the influencers are, and whether they are poten+al allies or opponents. Capture their contact details • Feed this informa+on back into your produc+on and distribu+on work
fresh angle Learn the landscape Use a unique format Be clear about your objec+ve Use today’s distribu+on tools Cul+vate your contacts Consider interna+onal media outreach Use today’s monitoring tools Check back on your objec+ve