Tips and tricks from the journalists

Iain asked each of the press participants to provide a 'top tip'. Here they are - didn't manage to catch all the names.

Please follow up. If you think it's a genuinely good thing.

Make friends with us.

Use us as much as we want to use you. If you can relate a national story to a local audience and make it interesting and relevant to our audiences/readers then we want to hear from you.

Nicola (from Invicta FM) - you need to be able to speak to us. Be prepared to.

Sarah Sturt from Kent Life - interest in a story is not the same as covering your story - don't get upset if we don't use it.

We can't survivie without you. We need to hear from you and it needs to be a two way street.

Ian Patel Kent on Sunday - don't go into hiding if it's bad. Don't lie. Be straight and you'll have a much better chance of getting your version of the story across.

Tell us why it's important and relevant.

A nice lunch doesn't buy editorial coverage. You need to understand what we need.

Kevin - get it into the local press and it may run to broadcast or go national. But talk to us first!

Trevor - never forget that journalists are customers too and they can influence their friends.

Prepare, prepare, prepare especially for TV or radio interview.