Novato Advance columnist and business consultant Al Coddington has an answer for people trying to get news coverage for service clubs. “Make sure your press release boldly states that a ‘free lunch’ will be provided to members of the working press and address it to Al Coddington at the Novato Advance.”

OK, he’s kidding. But Coddington offers some down-to-earth tips for those submitting community news items to newspapers:

• “[K]now in your target market. When you write a press release, think about who is going to be the user of this information and ask yourself what benefit they will derive from it.”

• “Organize an event that will provide any photographer with a target-rich environment.”

• “If your service club meets only to listen to speakers, you will need to find some newsworthy tidbit in the speaker’s content …”