FACE Mental Illness

Publicizing Your Event

The most innovative or best-organized event will have little success if no one knows about it. Don't let your efforts go unnoticed.

The best method of publicizing an event will vary from community to community. Adapt, combine or try any of the following suggestions to get people interested in what you are planning for MIAW.

  • Register your activity so that it can be included in a nationwide listing of MIAW events on this web site.
  • Put notices in community calendars, and ask community groups to print free announcements about your activity in their newsletters or other publications.
  • Place flyers advertising your event on community bulletin boards or in high-traffic areas, like grocery stores, day-care centres, schools, churches and other local organizations.
  • Distribute handouts that state the "who, what, why, where and when" of your event to community organizations, workplaces, restaurants, etc.
  • Ask your minister, priest, rabbi or other religious leader to mention MIAW and your activity during services, or have details printed in your church bulletin.
  • Talk it up - tell as many people as possible about your event and ask whomever you tell to let everyone they know about what’s being planned.
  • Blitz your friends and acquaintances with an e-mail outlining what you have planned. Also, let them know the importance of de-stigmatizing mental illness.
  • Call local community groups and solicit their participation by asking if they would be willing to do specific jobs (e.g. hand out pamphlets, register participants or any other tasks that need to be done).
  • Post MIAW posters or other material publicizing your event at your workplace.
  • Approach companies to promote your MIAW initiative.
  • Ask businesses or retail stores to mention MIAW and/or your activity on their outdoor signs.
  • Invite your mayor or other well-known public leaders to participate in or attend your activity. The involvement of public and community leaders may help establish popular interest and support for your MIAW activity.