Public Service Announcements

1. Public Service Announcements

2. Public Service Announcements • PSAs usually transmitted electronically • They are short spots of ten to sixty seconds • The FCC requires stations to donate airtime to public and community service • PSAs typically announce upcoming activities or advertise for community and non-profit causes

3. How to Write a PSA • Incorporate the who, what, when, and where • Write “PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT” at the top middle of the single sheet of paper followed by the date you’d like the announcement to air • Include contact person’s name, phone, email, and fax • Entitle your announcement, in bold letters, by the name of the event, followed by a short, concise explanation of what you want aired • At the end, write ‘-end-’ or ‘# # #,’ as you do in a press release

4. How to Write a PSA • Leave time to repeat the phone number or website twice at the end of the PSA • Don't include your email address if it's too hard to understand hearing it only once • Don't "bury the lead” • Don't get too technical – Keep it simple

5. How to Write a PSA • Length: • 15 Seconds (40 - 45 words) • 20 Seconds (45 - 55 words) • 30 Seconds (55 - 85 words) • 60 Seconds (140 - 160 words). • Count each number as a separate word, just the way you would if you wrote out the number • Example: 21 is actually two words – "twenty" and "one” • A phone number with dashes is more than one word. • Example: 312-222-2222 • The same issue occurs with website or email addresses. • kclarke@9chicago.com

6. Getting a PSA on the air • Plan ahead and send the PSA to the right person • Call the station and get the proper name of the department head or contact person • If you are sending the PSA to multiple outlets, address it to the Public Service Director • Add “Community Calendar” or “Program Director” or “On Air Interviews,” depending upon which coverage you seek