How to Publish Your Reporting and Grow Your Audience

Student Reporting Labs encourages completed story submissions for national publication consideration here through StoryMaker, though we will only be able to publish a small portion of them. If you have questions about your story at any point in the process — from pitching to filming and editing — and could use support from the SRL, book office hours with our community engagement team here to get help at any point during the reporting or production process.

Local stories can have the strongest impact locally.

So once you’ve reported and edited an important story that you want to share, share it with your community.

Does your school newspaper have a website, YouTube channel, or social media account(s) to showcase and celebrate student work? Ask if you can publish there. If not - make your own! Publish there.

Another option is a youth publishing site like KQED’s Youth Media Showcase, which welcomes student reporting anytime during the school year as part of the Show What You Know project. All submissions have a unique and shareable URL. This showcase is another possible route to publication through your local public media station, though not nationally. SRL teachers create an account on the showcase and get a code students use to publish (students don’t need to create accounts.)

Think about the different segments of your audience — people that could be interested or could benefit from viewing your story — and start spreading the word.

• Share your finished story with the people who you interviewed and/or reached out to for this story — a quick email is all you need!
• Share your story with your friends, family, and others you know! Post your work to your Instagram feed or other social platform. Tag @studentreportinglabs on Instagram or @reportinglabs on Twitter so we can repost and amplify!
• Pro tip! Consider making a “social cut” of your video that is vertical and 1 minute or less. Use this when you post to IG stories or reels (or TikTok) and include a link to your full story in your bio. Here’s an example. And, level two pro tip: create a linkinbio website - two free options here and here.
• What local organizations or clubs are you a part of already? Do these groups have a newsletter or social media channel that could share your story and celebrate your work? Ask!
• Think about how YOU get your news — and share there :)

• Does your school have a social media account on Instagram or another platform? Find out who runs it and pitch them—ask if they can share your work on this account. Tag @studentreportinglabs on Instagram or @reportinglabs on Twitter so we can repost!
• Does your school have an email newsletter? Find out who runs it and pitch them - ask if they can share your work in the next newsletter.
• Ask your teacher to share your with your principal, who might have more ideas to highlight your work.

• Consider finding out who runs you school board — reach out to them with your story and ask if there’s any way to share your story. Maybe they have a newsletter and/or can share it at an upcoming meeting!
• Ask your parents and teachers where they get their news - and then ask them to share it with those Facebook groups/newsletters/Instagram accounts, etc.

• What are your local news organizations? They are often understaffed and in need of local coverage - especially video pieces. Find the education reporter or local news editor on the news organization’s website and send them an email (see example below), DM them on social media, or connect on LinkedIn to pitch your story to them.
• What local organizations, clubs, businesses, libraries, etc. might be interested in this story? Think about the topic of your story and the organizations in your community that focus on that topic. Who could benefit from learning what you share in your story? Make a list of these organizations Look on their website to see who on their staff manages communications, press, or social media inquiries. Send them a note sharing your story and asking them to share it with their networks (see example below!)
• Need help with this part? We’re here to help! Reach out to christine@reportinglabs.org to brainstorm/answer questions about how your story can reach the broader community in your area. The SRL team has connections with local PBS stations across the country, and other local/topic-focused news orgs too!

Think about how you get local news about your school community or larger local community. Can you share your story with a WhatApp group or Discord server you are a part of? Could you print a QR code with a link to your story and put it on a bulletin board at your school, library, or local coffee shop? What other creative ways could you share your story?

SAMPLE PITCH TO A LOCAL NEWS ORG

Dear [ADD FIRST NAME OF REPORTER],

This story could be a great fit for [ADD NAME OF PROGRAM/PUBLICATION]. I’m a student reporter at [ADD HIGH SCHOOL NAME] and recently reported a story in response to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ prompt on [ADD BIG TOPIC ex: Gun violence, public spaces, legislation targeting schools, etc.]

I produced a story about [ADD HEADLINE OF YOUR PIECE e.g. “A local group of student activists who are investigating gun safety at Smith High School”]. It’s particularly timely and relevant in our community right now because ________________________________________________.

Based on your recent reporting [ADD LINK to an article they’ve written about the topic] on [TOPIC], and your organization’s local focus, I thought this would be of interest to you.

I’m happy to share more, and/or answer any questions — and I hope to connect with you soon!

All best,

[ADD FULL NAME]

Student Reporter at [ADD SCHOOL NAME] with PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs

SAMPLE PITCH TO A LOCAL ISSUE/TOPIC-RELATED ORGANIZATION

Dear [ADD FIRST NAME OF ORG CONTACT],

My name is [ADD YOUR NAME] I’m a student reporter at [ADD HIGH SCHOOL NAME] and I recently reported a story in response to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ prompt on [ADD BIG TOPIC ex: Gun violence, public spaces, legislation targeting schools, etc.]

I produced a story about [ADD HEADLINE OF YOUR PIECE e.g. “A local group of student activists who are investigating gun safety at Smith High School”]. It’s particularly timely and relevant in our community right now because ________________________________________________.

Based on your organization’s local focus on this topic, I thought this would be of interest to you, your organization, and the folks you support. Are you interested in sharing this story with your community in an upcoming newsletter or on social media?

Please let me know if I can answer any questions or if it would be helpful to chat!

All best,

[ADD FULL NAME]

Student Reporter at [ADD SCHOOL NAME] with PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs