Power to Prevent - National Diabetes Education Program - National ...

Tips for Using Media Tools to Promote and
Enhance Your Program
Tips for Promoting Your Program
There may be many inexpensive ways you can promote your program in your community. For
example, create fyers and post them at supermarkets, beauty salons, barbershops, places of
worship, libraries, and worksites. A local print shop may offer you a discount or even do some
graphic design or printing at no cost in return for an advertisement on your fyer. Take advantage of
upcoming events—for example, a local health fair, a wellness event, or an ethnic festival.
You might include a short description of your program in neighborhood newspapers, in worksite
e-mails, and on Web sites. You could also contact your local cable channel and arrange for a public
service announcement (PSA) to run on the local radio station.
For more information on working with the media to promote your program, see the NDEP Diabetes
Community Partnership Guide on the NDEP Web site at www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/catalog/
htm#PubsOrg. See also Appendices A to D for sample media tools. Visit the NDEP Web site at
www.ndep.nih.gov for more tools and tips for working with the media, sample press releases, and
ideas for developing a media kit to promote your program.
Tips for Securing Incentives and Rewards for Participants
Incentives and rewards help people feel better about themselves, and they work to help people
take new actions. Incentives are a critical tool for helping folks “try on” the idea of being physically
active and eating better as a family or group. They do not need to cost much or even anything at all.
Ideas for incentives and rewards include:
Free or discounted child care while program participants take part in a physical activity arranged
through a partner organization
A one-day pass to a low-impact aerobics class at the recreation center, church, gym, or other
exercise facility such as the YMCA/YWCA
Free family passes for program participants to local skating rinks or swimming pools upon
completion of a certain number of sessions of the program or the entire program
Recognition of group members (by certifcate, ceremony, or both) at the end of the program or
upon completion of a certain number of sessions
Taking pictures of your classes and highlighting participants’ achievements and efforts in church
bulletins, local newspapers, community bulletin boards, or other means. (Make sure you have
permission frst from all group members!)
Holding “family days” featuring activities such as potluck picnics at the park or in the community
center after completion of the class
Local business sponsorship through gift certifcates, merchandise, or other awards
Preparing or providing nutritious snacks for the program sessions
A miniature sampling buffet of healthy snacks prepared or arranged by a nutritionist
Free family passes for a visit to the community pool or gym
A free class and food demonstration arranged by the local Cooperative Extension Service
NDEP Power to Prevent Appendices 9