Join us for the EXCEL Media Conference, where we are equipping you for excellence. During this training event you will learn more about videography, photography, social media, streaming, websites and writing articles. This fun, interactive conference will not only inform you but will also inspire you.
Advertising is accepted as a service to Seventh-day Adventist church members in the Pacific Union. The Recorder management reserves the right to refuse any advertisement, especially ads not related to the needs and practices of the church membership. Acceptance of any advertising shall be considered a matter of accommodation and not a matter of right, nor shall it be construed to constitute approval of the product or service advertised.
Payment in advance must accompany all classified advertisements or they will not be published. Display ads for known advertisers will be billed. To pay by credit card, please go to recorder@adventistfaith.com.
How to Submit Advertising
Classified ads must be sent with payment to the Recorder office. Display ads should be arranged with the editor (recorder@adventistfaith.com).
Classified Rates
$70 for 50 words; 75 cents each additional word. Display rates (full color only): back cover, $4,200; full page, $3,800; 1/2-pg., $2,200;1/4-pg., $1,200; 1/8-pg. $700; $160 per column inch.
Why photographs make your article more appealing
Photographs draw attention to a story more quickly, clearly, and powerfully than any other means of communication. Your church provides many opportunities to use photojournalism.
Bulletin boards display pictures of church events.
Newsletters need pictures of people, events, and landmark occasions.
Articles to the Pacific Union Recorder require pictures.
Articles for local newspapers are enhanced by photographs.
How to take creative, action-based pictures.
Know camera basics. Become familiar with your particular camera.
Take enough pictures. (Someone is sure to have eyes closed in one.) If you have several pictures to choose from, a good one is usually assured.
Editors look for pictures in sharp focus (unless intended to be soft focus for effect), clear, with good color contrast.
Take action pictures of the person or group doing something, not just smiling for the camera. In addition to taking a picture of a person with an award or plaque, take a picture of what he or she did to receive the award.
Simplify the background. Position the subject away from distracting background items such as trees, poles, furniture, etc.
Employ the rule of thirds. Visually divide the picture into thirds, left to right and top to bottom. Instead of centering the subject, place it where one of the dividing lines intersects.
When shooting outdoors, pose people so they don’t stare into sunlight. Position them with the sun off to the side so they don’t have to squint.
Use natural frames for the photo. A house appears friendlier when framed with a tree branch in the foreground, or with a fence leading the eye off into the distance.
Get close to the subject. Enlarge the point of interest.
Photograph groups of people in a natural cluster, rather than in a stiff row. Perhaps have them casually sitting on steps, or standing at different heights.
Experiment with different lighting at different times of day. You can get some very creative pictures using natural lighting.
Be sure to get permission and names of the people you photograph, especially children. You need the date, place and signature of parent or guardian if the subject is a minor.
When photographing groups, include people of different ages, gender and ethnicity, if appropriate to your article.
Selecting your photos Vibrant photography adds an important element to your Recorder story. Acceptable photos help the reader understand and connect to the story. The photos should:
Be clear, sharp, attractive and colorful.
Illustrate some kind of action in the story.
Avoid portraying subjects in unflattering poses (such as with wet hair after a baptism).
The best photos show action, so avoid submitting photos with rows of people smiling for the camera.
Baptismal tank photos should be avoided because they’re so overused.
And, because quality is more important than quantity, please limit the number of photos you submit to your four best photos per article unless you are introducing new staff members who each have individual photos.
Writing photo captions Many busy readers do not read every story, but instead rapidly scan the title and photo captions to see what the story is about. Write your captions with that in mind. Use them to entice the reader to read your story.
Always write a full-sentence caption describing
what is happening in the photo,
who the people are (unless the group is too large) and
why they’re in the photo.
DO NOT embed the photos in a word processing document or e-mail message — send them as attachments only. Please do not crop or alter the original photos in any way. Attach them just as they came from the camera. At the end of your story, make a list of the photo filenames with their corresponding captions.
1.Is it newsworthy? As the old saying goes, if a dog bites a man, it's not news. If a man bites a dog, it is! What aspect of your story is new? or significant? or interesting?
Examples
-A cooking school is probably not news for the Recorder--many Adventist churches conduct them. But suppose you conducted a cooking school for blind people? for children? for men? or for single people? What if you featured both vegan and vegetarian cooking? or included a variety of ethnic dishes? Such approaches would be new.
-A mission trip may not be news for the Recorder--many Adventist churches and schools conduct them. But suppose you have an entire Sabbath school class that makes the trip, or some complete families? Suppose the volunteers are nearly all women, or are mostly 60 years old or older? Or suppose the project has an unusual aspect--costly in terms of travel and supplies, very far away, primitive, or assists people who live in unbelievable poverty? Does the project benefit Muslims or Buddhists or other non-Christians? Were there unusual circumstances such as extremely good or bad weather, lost luggage, significant answers to prayer?
-An evangelistic meeting may not be news for the Recorder--many Adventist churches conduct them. Is this first evangelistic meeting conducted in many years? Is the response unusually good compared with previous attempts? Have some of those baptized done so despite very difficult obstacles? Have some of those baptized actually been attending church for many years and finally made a decision? Did some of those baptized learn about Adventists through the Internet or by hearing sermons on their iPods?
2.Is it timely? The more quickly you can report your story, the better. Because of printing schedules, stories normally are not published until eight or 10 weeks after they are edited. If you share information with us within two weeks or a month, it is quite timely. If three or four months have passed, the story will probably not be used.
3. Does it demonstrate diversity? We want to showcase the great diversity in SECC. We look for stories that feature women and men, a variety of age groups, culture and language specific groups, and the various geographical areas of our conference. We want to highlight both large and small churches and schools. Because this conference is large, we normally don't publish articles from the same church or school more than once a year, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
4. Is it innovative? Your unique approach to ministry may inspire others to try a similar ministry. How and when did the idea occur? What was involved in making the dream come true? What obstacles had to be overcome? Was it worth it? What are the results of this ministry?
5. Is it historical? Does the event reveal the longevity and positive influence of a church or school over time? If celebrating a particular anniversary, document key people, dates, and events in the past. What is the cumulative effect? How many students have graduated from the school in 100 years? How has the church persevered through difficult times? If it is a new or renovated building, how will it improve and expand ministry? Remember, history can be boring if it's just a recitation.
6. Is it interesting? Although an event may be recent, show the diversity of your school or church, or record a historical moment, it may be dull. What caught people's attention at this event? What made an impact? Was something appropriately humorous or exciting? Is there a tragedy, intriguing problem, or crisis to explain?
Why are some stories not used?
Similar stories from our conference may have been published recently or already are in the works.
Basic facts are sketchy. The story is unclear and disorganized.
Nothing appears to be new or newsworthy.
You cannot be contacted easily to provide more information.
It does not fit the mix of stories needed to show SECC's diversity.
The information is routine.
The writing lacks life.
Space is limited. (The conference has 36 pages for SECC news each year in the Recorder).
The photos supplied are poor quality.
Recorder news from the Southeastern California Conference is chosen by the conference communication department staff. Once a story is selected, facts must be gathered and verified, good photos found or taken, and the material must be edited for clarity and space available. The stories Recorder looks for include:
Stories with ideas to encourage church growth that other churches can try.
What is your church doing to gain soul-winning momentum? People’s conversion stories that will cause readers to say, “I could do that!” Instead of a photo of a person or group that was baptized, described in a cryptic caption, write a story that focuses on relationships. Why was someone attracted to this church? Who encouraged them to become a member and how did they do it? A photo of the individual or family the story is about interacting with the person who brought them to Christ would be appropriate.
Stewardship stories that illustrate the blessings that flow from trusting one’s entire life to God.
These stories might deal with Sabbath-keeping, health, relationships, tithing, freedom from addiction or many other topics.
Stories that show the value of Christian education at all levels.
Steps toward publication
Contact the communication department. Send news stories or ideas for stories that share how God is moving the ministry and activities of the people, churches, and schools in Southeastern California Conference to the communication department. You may contact us by e-mail at communications@seccsda.org or call our office at 951-509-2258. If you leave a message, tell us your name and the best way to contact you during business hours (Monday-Thursday).
Supply key information. Who is involved? When did the event occur? What happened? Why is it interesting, important, or valuable to share with others? Is this event or ministry or activity notable for its size--large or small? Of course, be sure your facts and dates are accurate and that names and places are spelled correctly.
Include good photos. Good photos will enhance a good story and may actually make a weak story usable. On the other hand, poor photos may reduce the value of a good story or cause it to be set aside completely. (Review our "Tips for Photographers.")
Provide follow-up opportunities. Be prepared with the name and contact information for others involved in the ministry or activity.
Send news, not promotion. News usually reports what has already happened--but very recently. News is not advertising, promotion, or a prediction that something good will happen. Advertising may take the form of announcements sent to SECC approximately 10 weeks before the event, if the event is free. Advertising may also be accomplished by purchasing a classified ad or a display ad in the Recorder.
Be brief but complete. Most published stories are 500 words or less but must not leave out key information. If you are not an experienced writer, the communication staff will assist you in writing and condensing the material.
