Press Day - Some Instructions

[Tom Huelin]

 

Press Day Info

 

Just thought I’d put some notes together regarding the press days that people have signed up to, some for the first time. It can be a nerve-wracking experience and I don’t want people going through the ordeal I put myself through!

 

The first thing to remember is, you’re going to give free publicity to the cricket club as a result of your visit, therefore rather than feeling like you might be an imposter there, you’re actually doing the club a favour. County cricket is desperate for coverage, which is why Deep Extra Cover has such an important role to play in the domestic game in this country.

 

Arrival

 

When you arrive, you should ask for the media officer at the club. Before you go I will give you the contact details of the media officers for the respective clubs you are going to. I spoke to the Hampshire press officer on arrival (once I’d worked out who he was), and as a result I could speak to him later about interview opportunities I wanted (more of that later)

 

Dress Code/What to bring

 

I rocked up reasonably casually, which was quite embarrassing. Almost everyone there was suited up. If you don’t have a suit I’d try and wear smart trousers and a shirt with shoes – you’re not going to get slung out (I don’t think!) but you’ll feel more at home in the right clobber. Women too should go smart although dresses and suits were present, if memory serves…

 

Come armed with plenty of questions. A bit of research before going is helpful. To be honest, I didn’t know what a lot of the Hants players looked like before going, which wasn’t ideal, so I took pictures of them printed out so I could kind of figure them out as I went around the place.

 

As well as your notes, obviously bring a Dictaphone. You’ll have loads of opportunities for interviews, both conducted by yourself and by local/national reporters that you can stick your Dictaphone in front of, might get some useful info you might otherwise miss out on

 

What happens next?

 

A spot of food and drink is usually served first, so tuck in, if you fancy it. Don’t be shy!

 

I only have one experience to go by, but last year Hants did photos out in the middle first. At this stage, all the team shots are done before they do all the mug shots you see on the club websites etc. you are allowed to take photos too so feel free to get involved.

 

Then, we returned to the conference room. Chairs were set out as though there was going to be a press conference, with tables up front and camera’s lined up. What actually happened though was journalists were asking the media officer for interviews left, right and centre, with players popping in and out of conference room to do one on one chats.

 

It is imperative that you get involved at this stage!! I befriended a chap that sat waiting for interviews and got none. You’ve got to speak to the press officer and ask for what you want. If you’re at Surrey, ask the press officer for Graeme Smith. If you’re at Derby, ask for Shiv Chanderpaul.

 

In short, don’t be afraid to ask for the big guns. As I said above, we’re there to advertise the county, and they want that publicity – that’s the whole purpose of the day, so don’t be afraid to ask for who you want to speak to. Coaches are usually available to speak to too, so ask for them as well.

 

Also, try and see if we’ve interviewed players for DEC already, and get hold of them. Building contacts is essential in this game.

 

Given that most of the media days will be in the week leading up to the first week of the season, we’ll need quite quick type-ups from the interviews. We’ll need them out before the first game of the season clearly.

 

Hampshire’s press day is on the 8^th April with the first game starting two days later on the 10^th, so we will need to publish on the 9^th ideally. Obviously the ones being held earlier in April can be published even earlier.

 

I would suggest we do separate preview pieces a couple of weeks before the season starts, and use the press days as a straight interview piece

 

Finally

 

This is a great experience for any aspiring journalist, cricket fan or blogger. It’s an amazing opportunity to speak to county cricketers – I took the view that if nothing else came of my writing career, this was an amazing moment that I’d remember forever.

 

It goes without saying, with Deep Extra Cover into our second year and looking to make this season a big one for the site, your professionalism will be required, but ultimately have fun, speak to as many people as you can and don’t regret anything when you leave!

[Tom Maston]

Suits? Obviously a bit more formal than up here in the North! But seriously, good hints and tips mate. Hope everyone enjoys their days come the start of April.

[Kirby Meehan]

What's the deal with photos? Can we take them for use with articles?

Tom Maston <tmas...@gmail.com> wrote:

Suits? Obviously a bit more formal than up here in the North! But seriously, good hints and tips mate. Hope everyone enjoys their days come the start of April.

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Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

[Tom Huelin]

Re Photos: yeah, basically when i went, the club photographer was there taking team shots (all three formats) and then seperate player shots. Everyone had the opportunity to particpate, although i drew the line at team shots...

 

Re Suits: dread to think what you were wearing up North there Tom!! Not everyone was in suits, and certainly there were no ties, but "slacks" and a shirt would be good. i rocked up in trousers a shirt and converse - that was an error! 

[Kirby Meehan]

So, are we ultimately looking to get an article from press day or are we using it to inform our season previews? Also, would you go with just a few questions for five or six players or more questions for just one or two players?

[Tom Huelin]

Personally I would suggest a seperate preview piece, with details of specific in's and outs, hopes for hte new season in all formats, strengths/weaknesses etc, all of which is a lot of content. i would suggest the press days would produce more of an interview piece with thoughts from the counties suggesting why they think they'll succeed in the season etc, so more of a subjective piece.

 

as for type of questions, they'll be pretty vanilla really, obviously specific players will have different angles; england aspirations, establishing in first team etc, but on the whol i'd imagine the questions will be pretty straight forward, the key is getting quotes from the really interesting players, for derby Shiv would be huge, and it'd be good to speak to Tony Palladino as he's doing a column for us this season.

 

Hope that helps. 

[ben...@hotmail.com]

Just a quick one Tom, is there anything you would advise NOT doing? Aside from maybe turning up ridiculously underdressed... (I do love an excuse to suit up though!) 

[Kirby Meehan]

Quick question - how long can we expect to be there? All day? Half day?

On Saturday, 16 February 2013 00:21:54 UTC, Tom Huelin wrote:

[Joe Tarring]

Just had the info through for the Somerset event and it reminded me of something that's worth noting if you haven't been to these things before: For the players these events are a bit of a chore that they wouldn't be doing if they didn't have to. I know that sounds a bit unhelpful but it's worth trying to engage any players you talk to in a conversation rather than rattling off your pre-prepared questions. I appreciate that's advice that sounds overly basic for any interview but I find it applies double to events like this

[Steve Jennings]

Hi Joe,

 

What time does the SCC press day start mate please?

Regards

 

Steve Jennings

 

Mob:    07795 373678 
Tel:    01823 680759  
Email:    stevejen...@btinternet.com
Skype: essarejay

 

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[Joe Tarring]

Steve - I'm emailed you

[Kirby Meehan]

OK, so it's worth taking my camera. If I don't get to use it, there's no harm done.

Thanks