As a new Program Year is quickly approaching, consider new and easy ways your SWCD can market VACS and other district programs. Social media sites such as Facebook allow you to share flyers or written information for free! For an added fee, you can advertise to targeted age groups or locations — even those who don’t “follow” your page. Read this article to learn how to advertise through Facebook. Consider adding videos like this to your posts to grab the attention of your audience! 

Want to mobilize local media to let farmers in your district know that a new round of VACS funding is here? A new resource in the Agricultural Cost-Share Marketing Toolkit can help. This customizable VACS news release makes it easy spread the news to local newspapers, radio stations and television stations. It also includes an easy formula for a winning quote from your director.  Just customize this template wherever you see yellow highlights and email it to your local news outlets.   

Your news release is customized and ready to roll. Before you hit “send,” make sure to: 

1. Keep your subject line short. The news release’s headline — but not in all-caps — works fine. (New round of funding now available to local farmers)         
2. Personalize, if possible. If you’re only sending the release to a handful of reporters, create a separate email for each one and greet them by name in the salutation.  
3. Keep the body of your email short, too. “I wanted to let you know about a funding opportunity that’s available to our area’s farmers. You’ll find the details below (also attached). Please let me know if I can answer any questions or set up an interview with our director. Thanks!”  
4. Sign the email with your name and contact info. THEN: 
5. Copy the entire news release and paste it into the email. Also attach it as a Word doc.  

EXTRA CREDIT: In the body of your personalized email, mention something the reporter has reported on. This will show the reporter that you are also part of his/her audience and helps build trust.