Advice on Publicising an Event

Good publicity is the key to organising a successful chess event. You will not only reach the largest possible audience and ensure that entries and attendance will reach maximum levels, but future sponsors have an indication of your organisational ability.

The following list of possible publicity outlets is by no means exhaustive, and not all may be appropriate for your requirements, but each is a proven method of providing publicity for chess events.

• for a local event, local newspapers are essential. Most local newspapers do not have a chess columnist so you should be prepared to provide suitable information in language which the layman will understand. Libraries will normally be happy to display a poster or information in the window.
  
• for larger events, consider approaching a national newspaper - a full list of chess journalists is to be found in the ECF Yearbook. Most columnists will consider publicising good chess events.
  
• the major chess magazines, Chess and British Chess Magazine, carry a list of forthcoming events every month at no cost. Remember that adequate notice must be given.
  
• there is a regular chess column on Teletext (currently page 153 on Channel 4) which carries a list of forthcoming events. Contact the Editor, whose details are displayed on the service.
  
• there is also a regular chess column on Ceefax (currently page 568) which carries a list of forthcoming events. Contact the Editor, whose details are displayed on the service.
  
• contact your local radio station - we have found that local radio is an excellent source of publicity, largely due to the mystique surrounding chess.
  
• contact all the chess clubs in the county - this will guarantee a wide audience within the chess-playing fraternity and beyond.
  
• contact schools in the area. Many schools now have enthusiastic chess clubs and chess is beginning to be recognised as being educationally beneficial.