[stylist] More PR writing stuff: Radio PSA's

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Pasted and attach are examples of PSA's for radio.
I can't find handouts with tips and suggestions, but I can tell you that
radio PSAs typically are in 15, 30 or 60 second formats. When writing a
PSA, it's important to time it exactly, I.E. read it out loud before
submitting since many radio stations won't run it at normal times if it
runs over. Though radio and TV stations have to run nonprofit PSAs free
of charge, they aren't obligated to run them during peak hours or for an
extended amount of time. It's best to build a repoire with stations in
order to best fit your needs. And if you want it to run during peak
hours, the best way to ensure this is to purchase time slots. You can
prerecord a PSA, or submit a script to be read by radio DJ's. Many
nonprofits just submit scripts. Of course, commercial groups and
businesses pay for radio slots, and most produce their own professional
commercials. The formatting is crucial too, and you should ask detailed
questions about how individual stations prefer scripts to look like.

The second example is a radio PSA I wrote for a final project. It was
never actually used, but I did receive an A for my grade.

The National Institute of Mental Health (A produced PSA)
Panic Victims Find Help: 30 sec. PSA Music:       Ominous and foreboding
music SFX: Distant train noise
Male V/O:    It's coming again. In seconds it will be here. Your heart
pounds. You can't breathe. You're terrified.
SFX: Train horn getting louder and swiftly closing in.
Male V/O:   You're sure you're about to die.
SFX: Pounding heartbeat
Female Announcer: For people with panic disorder, this is how it feels
to have a panic attack. Find out how you can get help. Call
1-800-64-PANIC. That's 1-800-64-PANIC
Panic Disorder. It's real. It's treatable.

National Federation of the Blind-Omaha
Breaking Barriers for the Blind
Bridgit Pollpeter, director, media relations
PO Box 241171, Omaha, NE 68124
(402) 350-1735  Omaha at NE.NFB.org
Radio PSA
National Federation of the Blind-Omaha Chapter
Bridgit Pollpeter, director of media relations
P. O. Box 241171, Omaha, NE  68124
402-350-1735
Omaha at ne.nfb.org

BREAKING BARRIERS FOR THE BLIND

SFX:  Louie Armstrong's What a Wonderful World will play in background

MALE ANNOUNCER:  THE WORLD CAN BE A WONDERFUL PLACE ONCE YOU REALIZE
VISION IS A STATE OF MIND.

WITH TRAINING AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE, BLINDNESS IS JUST AN INCONVENIENCE.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY VISION LOSS, THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE
BLIND (NFB) HAS ANSWERS FOR YOU.

THE GOAL OF THE NFB IS TO INSTILL COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE FOR THE BLIND.

THE NFB IS BREAKING BARRIERS FOR THE BLIND.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NFB IN YOUR COMMUNITY, CONTACT
OMAHA at NE.NFB.ORG.  THAT'S OMAHA at NE.NFB.ORG.

SFX:  What a Wonderful World will crescendo before ending


THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY NFB-OMAHA AND KQCH-FM
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