Posted on 08/18/2002 5:18:22 PM PDT by Auntie Mame
Dear Freepers:
I just returned from the First Annual Free Republic Network Convention in Las Vegas.
The Free Republic Network Cruise last October was the most fun I've ever had in my whole life. The Free Republic Network Conference I just attended was the most informative and inspiring two days I've ever had in my whole life.
The Free Republic Network is stretching its muscle, not by talk, but by action. The Free Republic forum is liberty's college. The Free Republic Network is liberty's workplace.
If you attended, please use this thread to post your observations, comments and highlights of the conference. I will give mine below. But before I do, I'd like to take this time to thank Bob Johnson and the FRN board for putting on this conference. It's hard for me to find the words to adequately describe how great this experience was--and how much I learned.
AMEN!
FRiva was such an overwhelmingly positive event it is a shame this thread has degenerated into a flame war.
We may not individually possess the power to "ban" ...
... but we each have the ability to "shun"!
'nuff said,
TRG
Is that what you're after, bunky? Then merely type http://www.tray.com .
My thoughts could get me banned, but I'll play nice.
I, nor anyone, said LIE repetitively. Got it?
And in fact, I went to lengths to identify what I meant about learning from those in history. It's sad to see such incomprehensible behavior.
Good day sir!
It's right here.
AMEN!
Sorry, when I boil over I must respond...
(fair use quote)
# ST/DIST Amount Through Candidate Name
1. WA-SEN (D) $8,503,344 06/30/2002 CANTWELL, MARIA
2. NC-SEN (R) $8,241,649 06/30/2002 DOLE, ELIZABETH
3. NY-SEN (D) $7,931,630 06/30/2002 SCHUMER, CHARLES E
4. MO-SEN (D) $7,903,746 07/17/2002 CARNAHAN, JEAN A
5. MN-SEN (D) $7,096,647 06/30/2002 WELLSTONE, PAUL DAVID
;^)
Ah, youth. Can't really blame you.
I am on a high, but still controllable, simmer. But I will never just "boil over" ... it will be more like a pressure cooker explosion! Coming soon, if this cr@p keeps up.
Getting "hard and nasty" might not be the best course of action to get your message through the media filter. Often times the media is looking for "free dirt" from conservative activists to write about (or photograph.) Better to use cleaver humor and charm to get the reporter interested in talking to you and then slip in your hard-hitting "sound bites" when they are captivated by finding an intellegent and interesting person to listen to.
Reporters want compelling stories regardless of idealogy (except for built-in bias that can be maneuvered around.) But above all else remember that EVERYTHING IS ON THE RECORD regardless of how personable and candid the interview appears to be. Let the reporter think they are getting an unprepared stream of conscienceness from you. But in reality make sure you have thought out a good reply for every topic associated with issue that you are FReeping.
If you are prepared, you will be more confident and appear less nervous and distracted. Use the basic prepared responses as the structure for the interview and spice it with some improvization to taylor it to the exact questions being asked and to offer tangible real-time examples that the reporter can use to pretend that they are documenting the event, rather than going through the motions.
This is similar to what was presented in the Media and PR session, but with some of my own experience rolled in. Use the media to get your message publicized for free, don't let the media use you to paint your message in a negative light, merely because of poor planning and/or presentation. We know we have substance behind our message, but if we can't get that message presented to the wide audience that the media reaches, that substance can't grow.
Lastly, every time you can plug "FreeRepublic.com" in an interview or on a protest sign, do it. If their audience gleans the FR domain name from the article, sound bite, photo or video clip, then the content of FR will bring them into our audience to hear a thousand different messages. Like any "brand name," consumer recognition is key to marketshare growth. FR's "advertising budget" is FReepers spreading "FreeRepublic.com" every chance they get.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.