- Social Work Month 2011
- NASW NEWS Articles
Get Interviewed
Given the 24-hour news cycle and hundreds of hours of consumer programming, there is ample opportunity to get social work ideas and expertise into a range of media outlets. The NASW National Office organizes interviews daily with some of the top consumer magazines and news organizations, but those efforts must be coupled with local media outreach to have the greatest impact for the social work profession.
This Social Work Month, consider introducing yourself to the people who write about or report on the issues you care about in your town. Post insightful comments on their blogs, email them good resources or follow them on Twitter. And don’t discount the value of a well-placed phone call or invitation to lunch if you know a reporter through your work in the community. The key is to offer information of value to the audiences of the journalists with whom you want to connect, and to become a go-to person for them.
Social Work Month Tools
Reporter Research
If you need background information about a media person, do a quick Google search on their name, check their online bio for their news organization, or send NASW an email request at socialworkmonth@naswdc.org.
ProfNet: Inexpensive matching service offered by media distribution company PR Newswire. Reporters post their story development needs and relevant deadlines.
HARO: Another matching service (this one is free) where journalists tell experts what stories they need help with.
Google News: Sign up for the “social work” and “social worker” feeds (plus your city or town name) and you will quickly learn who is covering what social work issues in your area. One caution, Google does not link to broadcast coverage unless the station has posted the news to their website.
www.SocialWorkersSpeak.org
Learn about social workers already in the media by going to the Media Watch section.
www.HelpStartsHere.org
Many of the social workers who contribute to this consumer website are referred to national media interviews by NASW National staff.
NASW Center for Workforce Studies
If you need data to explain where social workers work and what practice areas are growing, consult NASW’s research on the social work labor force.
Interview Examples
AvonPatch - Bringing the Senior Center to the Residents: Jennifer Bennett, senior center director, and her volunteers visit homes of the elderly in Avon.
"The Solution to New Orleans' Health Rankings: Social Workers" - Ms. Carmen Weisner, National Association of Social Workers/La - Executive Director and Dr. So'Nia Gilkey, Asst. Professor - Tulane School of Social Work
Additional Resources
How to Write a Great Press Release
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government statistics on the number of social workers in the United States, and the faster than average growth for the profession, can make your media pitch more compelling.
Email: socialworkmonth@naswdc.org