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BULLETWORKS $3,000 PUBLICITY CONTEST

9-1-2005

With a commitment to help foster the growth of platform tennis, BulletWorks is sponsoring a publicity contest for the 2005-2006 Season. All players are welcome to participate. details here

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There are many ways to promote platform tennis. Introducing the sport to a tennis friend is a great idea. Clinics and tournaments are essential. Junior programs are vital. Having pros visit schools or town parks with under-utilized facilities is another great idea. We applaud the organizers of these efforts and events.

Publicity is another smart way to promote the sport. Think about how many times you’ve had a conversation that ended in “Platform tennis… huh… I never heard of it…” This is what we at BulletWorks aim to change. We would like to see articles in every daily, weekly and monthly regional publication where platform tennis has a following. We’d love to see some national magazine coverage, as well. Once people read about the joys of platform tennis, they will be more inclined to try it for themselves. Many who try it will like it. Some who like it will eventually want a court of their own. New interest in the sport ultimately keeps us and our fellow platform tennis companies in business.

The rules of the contest are simple: get an article published in a newspaper or magazine. Tell your kids -- school publications are acceptable. Platform Tennis Magazine is not eligible. (Preaching to the choir doesn’t grow the sport.) The article needs to be a minimum of five paragraphs long. It can be about the sport in general, your club, your league, etc. It needs to be accompanied by a photo to be eligible. The article should refer to the sport as “platform tennis” not “paddle.” (When trying to build awareness for anything, consistency is crucial!)

Send a copy of the published piece, by mail or email to BulletWorks. (Email us good digital photos as well and we’ll post them on our site.)

Everyone who gets an article published will receive a BulletWorks ballcap. One lucky person will get the top prize. Submit published pieces to: BulletWorks Platform Tennis Contest. P.O. Box 58. Belmont, VT 05730 or jacki@bwplatformtennis.com. Deadline for entries is March 1, 2006. Include the publication’s name and circulation; your name, address, phone number, email address and the facility you would put the prize money towards. You may submit as many articles as you can get published. The more you submit, the greater your chances of winning.

For more information, call 802-259-3312.

HOW TO GET AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED

There are two basic ways to get an article published: encourage an editor or staff reporter to write a feature piece or write one yourself.

Local weekly papers – the type that you rely on for community news and event listings – often will publish contributed articles. These are usually submitted in the form of a press release with a photo or two attached.

Large daily papers and glossy magazines will only publish articles that are professionally written. In this case, it is best to contact the sports or feature editor (depending on your angle) or a specific reporter that you think will take your lead. Write the individual a succinct letter (or make a phone call) summarizing why you think an article should be written about your league, your event, your star player, the growth of the sport in your community… whatever it is that makes your story newsworthy.

In either case, know the publication, and suggest a place in the paper where the article makes sense if appropriate (ie: in your Tuesday “Community News” section.)

Consider backing up the request or press release with information that will help a reporter write his/her story. Include “ A History of Platform Tennis” and/or “The Game of Platform Tennis” to give the writer some background for his/her piece.

Your pitch should have local appeal (regional publications) or audience appeal (national publications.) Contacting the right person is essential. Enthusiasm is helpful. Follow-up is almost always necessary.

Good luck!