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A User's Guide to The Island Packet

The purpose of this guide is to help you get news of importance to the community into The Island Packet quickly and efficiently. Different sections of The Packet handle different types of news, but often it's not immediately clear to readers which section or editor they should contact. We hope this guide will help you contact the person who can best assist you, and that it answers other questions you might have about getting information into the newspaper.

- Sara Johnson Borton, Publisher and President, The Island Packet

News

Press Releases

Communication is the key to understanding. The more skillfully you communicate, the better you will be understood. At the newspaper, we deal with an unending flow of information. And we must make relatively quick decisions about newsworthiness and where an item should appear in the newspaper. As a newspaper reader, you know your reading decisions are based on the headline and then the first paragraph of a story. That's how you should structure your press releases. The best press release is to the point and includes the information an editor and a reader need: who, what, where, when, why and how. Give that information first, background material should be last.

Other things to remember:

  • Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy. Double-check all names, phone numbers, addresses, times. Never trust your memory.
  • Use simple sentences and avoid terms that only a member of your group would understand.
  • Learn the deadlines. Whenever possible, let the newspaper know about an event well in advance.
  • Only one person from your organization should be in touch with the newspaper.
  • Double-space. When you're done, use the symbol ### to signal the editor.
  • Do not type in all capital letters.
  • Deliver your information electronically, through e-mail when possible.
  • Save such documents as a text file to ensure that we can read the file.
  • To send photos electronically, save as a JPEG and label with full name.
  • Call and confirm that your fax has been received.
  • Send to the appropriate fax machine. News (843) 706-3070 or Advertising (843) 706-5050.

Forms

To help you provide the appropriate information, forms are available at The Island Packet office and through the Web site:

For better readability, please type information on the form or attach a typed copy of information outlined in the form.

For wedding, engagement and anniversary announcements, you may submit a portrait photograph. See page 5 for specific instructions. For new business announcements or employee announcements, you may submit a nonreturnable portrait photograph. Please label jpeg or hard copy photo with full name of the person pictured. Please do not send Polaroids.

Features

Sections of the newspaper are organized by topic throughout the week. The idea is to make it easier for readers to find information every day and help us make sure we get your news into the newspaper.

These sections are produced several days ahead of publication so deadlines are important in getting your news into the newspaper. The deadlines for submitting items for publication in The Island Packet's features sections are as follows:

  • Monday - People: Items for Monday's People section (group news, military news, college notes, thank you notes, anniversaries, births, reunions, honor rolls, retirements) should be submitted by the previous Monday.
  • Tuesday - Health & Fitness: Items for Tuesday's Health & Fitness section (health notes, health briefs and professional notes) should be submitted by the previous Tuesday.
  • Wednesday - Good Tastes
  • Thursday - Arts
  • Friday - Style: Items for Friday's Style section should be submitted by the previous Friday.
  • Saturday - Faith & Values: Items for Saturday's religion news should be submitted by the Monday before publication.
  • Sunday - Lowcountry Life: Items for Sunday's Lowcountry section should be submitted by the Monday before publication.
  • Engagements, weddings and anniversaries are run in the order they are received on a space-available basis. Engagements should be submitted at least one month before the wedding date; weddings should be submitted no later than three months after occurrence. Photos of couples must be in a vertical format to fit into a standard one-column space. Label the photograph with the full name of those pictured. Photos may be picked up at The Island Packet one week after publication; or include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the photo. Please do not send Polaroids. All wedding and engagement announcements and images submitted become the property of The Island Packet. Announcements and images that are submitted may be edited and republished in any format. Items may be edited for clarity, style and length.

To send information for any of the feature sections:

Sports

Deadlines for sports items are:

  • Wednesday recreation: Items are due by 2 p.m. Monday.
  • Sunday recreation: Items are due by 2 p.m. Thursday.
  • Nightly call-ins for coaches: Items are due by 11:45 p.m. for next day publication. Call (843) 706-8119.

Items may be edited for clarity, style and length. To send in items for the sports section:

Business

The business section is published every day except Sunday. The business section includes new business announcements, new employees and promotions, seminars and workshops. For new business announcements or employee announcements, you may submit a nonreturnable portrait photograph. Please label jpeg or hard copy photo with full name of the person pictured. When submitting photographs, please do not send Polaroids. Forms to help you provide the appropriate information for new businesses and employee announcements are available at The Island Packet or online. Items may be edited for clarity, style and length. To send in business items::

Class Notes

In Monday's Island Packet, we publish news from the public and private schools, grades kindergarten through 12. Items are due by 3 p.m. Thursday for Monday publication.

Items may be edited for clarity, style and length. To send in school items:

  • Mail: Class Notes, The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29938.
  • Fax: (843) 706-3070.
  • E-mail: classnotes@islandpacket.com.
  • Hand delivery: 10 Buck Island Road, Bluffton.
  • Questions? Call the newsroom at (843) 706-8111.

Public Meetings

Each day, we publish a list of government meetings for the days ahead. To send in items for the meetings listing:

  • Mail: Public Meetings, The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29938.
  • Fax: (843) 706-3070.
  • E-mail: newsroom@islandpacket.com.
  • Hand delivery: 10 Buck Island Road, Bluffton.
  • Questions? Call the newsroom at (843) 706-8111.

Obituaries/Death Notices

Obituaries, which are published free of charge, are about 40 words long. For next day publication, obituaries should be sent by 6 p.m. Funeral homes should e-mail them to newsroom@islandpacket.com.

Death Notices are paid items that are more detailed than obituaries. Funeral homes should e-mail Death Notices to obits@lowcountrynewspapers.com. by 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Photos in JPEG format of the deceased are accepted.

  • Mail: Obituaries, The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29938.
  • Fax: (843) 706-3070.
  • E-mail: obits@lowcountrynewspapers.com.
  • Hand delivery: 10 Buck Island Road, Bluffton.
  • Questions? Call the advertising department at (843) 706-8100.

News and Photo Tips

Reporters, photographers and editors are eager to hear from readers who think they have news stories or a good picture idea. The newsroom may be reached by calling (843) 706-8111.

Setting the Record Straight

The Island Packet wants to get it right. Accuracy is the foundation for everything we do. If you see something in a story in the newspaper that you think is wrong, the best place to start is with an editor. To reach the newsroom, call (843) 706-8111.

Editorial

Opinion Page

On The Island Packet's opinion pages, we lay out the issues and priorities we think are vital to the community's interests. The unsigned editorials on the left hand side of the opinion page represent the views of The Island Packet as an institution and do not reflect the views of any one individual. The opinions printed there are developed by The Island Packet's editorial board, comprising the publisher, executive editor, editorial page editor and managing editor.

Also featured on the opinion pages are nationally syndicated columnists and local writers, whose signed pieces represent the individual's opinion. The pieces are selected to give readers a variety of opinions and ideas on topics of public interest.

Editorial cartoons are another form of opinion, in this case expressed by the individual artist. Cartoons also are selected to provide readers with a range of opinions on subjects of topical interest.

The Island Packet welcomes letters to the editor that deal with local, state & national issues. There are several ways to get letters to The Island Packet:

  • Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29938.
  • Fax: (843) 706-3070.
  • E-mail: letters@islandpacket.com.
  • Hand delivery: 10 Buck Island Road, Bluffton.

Letter Guidelines

  • Letters must be 250 words or less.
  • They must include the name and address of the writer.
  • All letters will be verified with the writer. Letters must include a daytime telephone number where the writer can be reached. (Phone numbers and street addresses will not be published.)
  • Letters may be edited for clarity, style, taste and legal considerations.
  • Writers are limited to one letter per month.
  • Questions? Call the editorial page editor at (843) 706-8115.

Endorsement Letters

Endorsement letters for individual political candidates are considered paid advertisements. Questions? Please contact the advertising department at (843) 706-8100.

Marketing

Reprints

Photograph reprints may be purchased online at islandpacket.com.

Laminated Plaques

The Island Packet offers laminated plaque service. Articles can be reformatted under the Island Packet's masthead and mounted on a solid black plaque. The cost is $95 plus tax. Forms can be found online here. Or contact the marketing department at (843) 706-8180.

Island Packet Online

The Island Packet Online at www.islandpacket.com is updated 24 hours a day with the latest breaking news from southern Beaufort County and around the world. You'll find news, sports and opinions, as well as a wealth of local information for visitors and residents alike. Our communities section will keep you up to date with personalized calendars of local events.

Search

The Island Packet's new online search feature enables you to search local Web sites quickly and efficiently. Type in the name or subject of what you're looking for in the search box located at the top of every page. Search will pull information from local business directories, local classifieds, cars.com and local media Web sites in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire. It's like Google -- but even better because it's local!

Blogs

What's on your mind? We'd like to hear from you! Blog (short for web log) on to The Island Packet's Web site and share your thoughts and photos with us -- and others. Click on opinions and follow along. It's that easy.

Niche Publications

Bluffton Packet

The Bluffton Packet is published every Wednesday and contains news about greater Bluffton, including school, church and community events. Items are due at 5 p.m. Wednesday for the follow Wednesday's edition. Items may be edited for clarity, style and length. To send in items for The Bluffton Packet:

  • Mail: The Bluffton Packet, The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29938.
  • Fax: (843) 706-3070.
  • E-mail: newsroom@islandpacket.com.
  • Hand delivery: 10 Buck Island Road, Bluffton.
  • Questions? Call The Bluffton Packet editor at (843) 706-8131.

Sun City Packet

The Sun City Packet is published the first of every month and includes news and information for residents of Sun City Hilton Head. Items are due by the 15th of the month to be included in the next month's issue. Items may be edited for clarity, style and length. To send in items for The Sun City Packet:

  • Mail: The Sun City Packet, The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29938.
  • Fax: (843) 706-5050.
  • E-mail: cweir@islandpacket.com.
  • Hand delivery: 10 Buck Island Road, Bluffton.
  • Questions? Call The Sun City Packet editor at (843) 706-8181.

The Guide

Every Friday, the Guide spotlights movies, music, local theater, festivals and more in a tabloid section that appears in both the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. All ads receive receive four-color presentation. The advertising and editorial content deadlines are 5 p.m. Friday one week before publication. Items may be edited for clarity, style and length. To send items to the Guide::

  • Mail: The Guide, The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29938.
  • Fax: (843) 706-3070.
  • E-mail: calendar@islandpacket.com.
  • Hand delivery: 10 Buck Island Road, Bluffton.
  • Questions? Call Guide editor Jeff Vrabel at (843) 706-8140.

Real Estate & Homes

The Real Estate & Homes section is published each Sunday and includes announcements and notes about businesses in the real estate, construction, architecture, landscaping and interior design industries. Real estate briefs include new companies (after the doors are open), new employees and promotions. Real estate notes include professional development, awards and business relocations. Forms for new business and new employee announcements are available online. All real estate items are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday for Sunday's publication. Items may be edited for clarity, style and length. To send in real estate items:

Newcomers Packet

The Newcomers Packet/The Source is published annually by The Island Packet. The Newcomers Packet is an easy-to-use reference guide for people new to the Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Sun City Hilton Head area. Replated to be The Source, it also contains valuable information for the established resident. Items are due by June 6 for July publication.

  • Mail: Newcomers Packet, The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29938.
  • Fax: (843) 706-5050.
  • E-mail: cweir@islandpacket.com.
  • Hand delivery: 10 Buck Island Road, Bluffton.
  • Questions? Call the Newcomers Packet editor at (843) 706-8100.

Experience Hilton Head Island and Bluffton

Experience Hilton Head Island Bluffton is a guide published weekly by The Island Packet during the area's peak visitor season, Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is designed to help visitors make the most of their vacation on Hilton Head Island. About 100,000 copies are available for free at 35 high traffic island locations throughout the summer. The magazine-sized publication contains valuable information for the visitor, such as a calendar of events, map of the Island, shopping, dining, beach and activities information. Items may be edited for clarity, style and length. To send in items:

  • Mail: Experience Hilton Head Island, The Island Packet, P.O. Box 5727, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 29938.
  • Fax: (843) 706-5050.
  • E-mail: cweir@islandpacket.com.
  • Hand delivery: 10 Buck Island Road, Bluffton.
  • Questions? Call the Hilton Head Happenings editor at (843) 706-8100.

TV Week

TV Week is a weekly publication of the Sunday Island Packet. It is the total information guide for the Hilton Head, Bluffton, Sun City Hilton Head area, offering the most complete and up-to-date television listings for local, network and cable programming. TV Week includes television news, interviews with the stars, 24-hour listings, movie descriptions, sports and soap opera highlights, crossword puzzles and advertisements. This handy sized magazine showcases your ad before a large loyal audience every week. More than 18,000 copies are distributed weekly to homes, hotels, stores and racks.

To reserve your advertising space, contact your Island Packet sales representative at (843) 706-8100. The advertising deadline is Friday, two weeks before the Sunday publication date.

From House to Home

From House to Home is published jointly by The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette. It is a national home-oriented, high quality magazine that publishes six times a year in the Lowcountry area. This lovely magazine is directly delivered to the most upscale neighborhoods that Beaufort, Okatie, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island have to offer. And, the magazines is only delivered to occupied homes, not mailed to rarely used second homes or vacation rentals.

To reserve your advertising space, contact your Island Packet sales representative at (843) 706-8100.

Health Care Providers Directory

Health Care Providers Directory is published annually in December by The Island Packet. It is the most comprehensive directory of health care providers available in the Lowcountry. This directory includes listings from area medical doctors, chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and psychologists. The Health Care Providers Directory is organized by medical specialty. Providers are listed alphabetically under their respective specialties.

To reserve your advertising space, contact your Island Packet sales representative at (843) 706-8100.

The Home Guide for Buyers and Sellers

The Home Guide is published annually in November by The Island Packet. This all-inclusive guide is a comprehensive directory of professional Realtors and complementary businesses in southern Beaufort County and surrounding areas. Companies like banks, mortgage lenders, home builders, property managers, real estate attorneys and any other business segment that works closely with Realtors and the home industry are welcome to promote their services in a display ad in the section, but listing and profiles are for Realtors only.

To reserve your advertising space, contact your Island Packet sales representative at (843) 706-8100.

Direct Marketing

Weekly delivery

Every Wednesday, The Bluffton Packet is mailed to more than 5,000 non-subscribers in the greater Bluffton area. An additional 3,000 copies of the Bluffton Packet are distributed around town for free, and 6,000 copies are inserted into the Island Packet mainland service.

Fliers can be inserted into The Bluffton Packet. Provide us with your fliers or allow our talented staff to design and print your piece. To reserve your advertising space, contact your Island Packet sales representative at (843) 706-8100. Ads must be received by Wednesday, 5 p.m. for the following week's publication.

Direct Mail

The Island Packet is now able to provide a national direct mail service. Tell our advertising staff about your ideal customer and we'll design a direct mail piece aimed specifically at attracting new customers. We'll provide a mailing list matching your customer profile. We'll arrange to have the piece printed, addressed and mailed. Call your account executive at (843) 706-8100 for a quote.

Circulation

Home Delivery

The Island Packet offers daily subscriptions for Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Hardeeville and Beaufort residents. Daily home delivery subscription rates are as follows:

  • 1 month, seven days: $35.00
  • 3 months, seven days: $75.00
  • 6 months for $150.00
  • 12 months for $300.00

Call the customer service department at (843) 706-8100 Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., to begin your home delivery service. Payment options: cash, check, EZ payment plan, MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover card. Gift certificates also are available and make the ideal gift for the hard-to-buy-for person on your list.

Late Paper, Wet Paper, Missed Paper

The Island Packet guarantees delivery of the newspaper by 6:30 a.m. If your carrier accidentally missed you or if your newspaper arrived wet, please call the customer service department at (843) 706-8100 before 11 a.m. and we'll happily deliver that day's paper.

Vacation Starts and Stops

When you plan to be out of town, notify the customer service department, and we'll stop or hold your papers until you return. Call the office at (843) 706-8100 or manage your own account online. If you have asked that your paper be stopped, we'll add those days to the end of your subscription or you can donate them to The Island Packet's Newspapers in Education program. You can ask us to hold up to two weeks worth of papers in a "Vacation Pack" and have them delivered to your home on the day of your return.

Back issues

We keep a limited number of back issues of The Island Packet for one year. Newspapers can be purchased at the receptionist's desk; daily papers are 50 cents; Sunday $1.50. The Hilton Head Island Public Library also has The Island Packet available on microfilm. Stories dating back to June 2000 can be accessed on our Web site.

Mailed Single Copy

If you live outside of our home-delivery area, we'll be happy to mail you a single copy of The Island Packet. The cost is $2 for a daily paper and $3 for Sunday.

Newspaper Carriers Wanted

This is the ideal job for the early riser! Work two to three hours per day and be your own boss. Deliver The Island Packet and the Wall Street Journal. For more information, contact the circulation department at (843) 706-8220.

Advertising

Retail Advertisements

Retail ads are ads with a border around them. They appear on pages containing news or other information. A full-page retail ad has 6 columns. Smaller-sized ads also can be run from 1 column up to 6 columns wide. The depth of ads are calculated in half-inch intervals.

Classified Advertisements

Classified ads appear in a certain section of the paper along with other ads of the same type, such as real estate, automotive and employment. A full page classified ad has 9 columns. Smaller-sized ads also can be run from 1 column up to 9 columns wide. The depth of ads are calculated in half-inch intervals. There are two types of classified ads: bordered ads and line ads. A bordered ad may contain artwork, logos and different-sized type. Line ads may contain a photo, logo or color shading but does not have a border. These are sometimes generally defined as the "want ads," but there are many other types, including yard sale, real estate and automobiles. The price of these ads is determined by the number of lines, how many times it runs and whether it is a commercial ad or a private party ad.

Advertising Deadlines

The deadline for classified line ads is generally 5 p.m. two days before publication. Ads may be placed over the phone at (843) 706-8100 or e-mailed to classified@islandpacket.com or fax to the Classified department at (843) 706-5050. All border ads for retail and classified must be submitted approximately three working days in advance.

Creating Advertisements

Part of the service we deliver is designing, typesetting and producing your ad to your specifications. It is a FREE service offered to our customers. Call one of our display sales representatives at (843) 706-8100. They will be happy to come to your business location and help you plan an effective advertising program. Back at the office, the sales representative will work with our team of talented graphic artists to design your campaign. Our customer service department will gladly help you word your classified line ad for the best results. Call them at (843) 706-8100.

Fliers Inserted Into The Island Packet

Your advertising message, in the form of a flier or pre-printed piece, can be inserted in The Island Packet on the day of your choice. You can get the number of fliers printed (minimum of 5,000) that you would like us to put in the paper, and we will insert them for you. You can "zone" your insert to a particular area to customize your message (example: home-delivery papers only, mainland papers only). The cost for the inserts depends on the quantity we insert and is usually far less expensive than postage to mail the flier. The printing can be arranged with an outside printer of your choice, or we will take care of designing and printing your flier -- for one stop shopping convenience! Fliers must be scheduled and then delivered to the Island Packet five days before the date of insertion.

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