News alert is a Google service that tracks news articles, blog posts, and updated scientific research with your chosen keywords. Using this tool can help businesses keep their fingers on the pulse and capture new opportunities for publicity as they arise.

Mastering media alerts is a critical skill for afterschool advocates seeking to elevate their public outreach and engage audiences. Alerts are short announcements that can be distributed via email, social media, and wire services to inform reporters of an upcoming event or press availability. Alerts and releases are typically less than a page and should include a captivating headline, information about the event or press availability, and contact information for someone from the organization to reach out to. If a local newsmaker like your mayor, governor, state or federal senator, or member of Congress is attending an event, make sure to highlight this in the news alert.

Alerts and releases should be sent to journalists at all possible media outlets. It is also helpful to send them to specialized reporters that focus on community activism (i.e Education reporters) or those that have covered your program in the past. It’s also good to send your news to media that are known to prioritize verified information over sensationalism, especially during tragedies.