The modern art of protest is the art of getting attention. There's no point protesting something if no one else knows you are doing it. If you get enough people on your side, you could provoke change with your protest. Therefore, publicity in this modern era of media saturation is essential. Follow these steps to learn the modern art of protest.
Instructions
1. Focus on your target audience. Convincing people who already support you is a waste of time. Trying to change those diametrically opposed to you is pointless. Figure out who hasn't made up their mind yet but could be swayed to your side. Their support can help you get what you want.
2. Come up with an attention grabbing idea. PETA always gets on the news because they do outrageous things like having naked women go out in public to protest fur coats. The modern art of protest is all about media friendly events. Anything you decide to do should stop traffic. Otherwise the media wont care.
3. Organize your supporters. Gather together others who believe as you do. Enlist them to help you in your protest. Email, chat rooms and phone trees can all help you recruit followers.
4. Schedule your protest for the greatest impact. If your protest takes place on a busy news day it is less likely to be covered by the media. Late mornings and early afternoons on weekends tend to be the slowest time for news. Consider scheduling your protest then. If your protest would make a great live shot on the TV news then do it during the local morning news from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. or afternoon broadcasts from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
5. Advertise your intentions. Write out a media release and be sure every media outlet in town gets it. Both email and regular mail copies to everyone. Follow up with phone calls the day before the protest. The media release should be straight forward and simple. State your intentions and details of who, what, where and when. Contact people and their phone numbers should be prominent in the media release.
6. Be media friendly. During your event have designated people looking for reporters. Approach them and ask if they need any elements for their story. Provide easy access to people to interview, video opportunities and information. Have a focused message. Do not try to tell them everything. Keep your argument simple and straight forward.
7. Follow up. Watch the news and read the newspaper to see how much buzz you created. Put pressure on those whom you are protesting and let them know you will do it again if your demands are not met. If you make progress approach the media with a story about your results. If little changed protest again. This time top yourself and come up with something even more memorable.
