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In some parts of the country you can see clouds of pollen in the breezes and films of green dust on cars and on the surfaces of ponds. The season is in full swing, and this annual story really does have more of a hook this year than in years past.
Depending on where you live, the season could be especially harsh, with near-record pollen counts being reported in some spots.
Below are some story ideas that could come in handy the next few weeks. Whatever story you do, be sure to include tips and resources for your readers. Let them know some basic tips to help them through the season. Here is some information from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to get you started.
Making green from green: Car washes typically see a boost in business as pollen coats our cars. You can also check in on local pharmacies - what do local pharmacists recommend? Call local air-conditioning businesses. Are people turning to air-filtration systems? Are they effective? Ask doctors and allergists what they think about expensive filtration systems.
Do a reader callout asking for home remedies. It may produce some interesting anecdotes, and at the very least generate some sources for your seasonal allergy story.
Ask readers what question they have about allergies and have a local expert answer them. Here's ABC's 'Good Morning America doing' a similar callout.
Remember, what readers want now is information, along with some some sense that they are not alone in suffering through allergy season. Give them some anecdotes along with a healthy dose of expert advice.
Because this is an annual story, look for interesting or quirky ways in:
- Find a landscaper who has bad allergies.
- Talk with local bee keepers, natural health exerts and doctors about what some folks believe to be a natural remedy: eating local honey. Does it work?
- If you're lucky, you will come across a story to tell like this - a girl who gathered a bucketful of pollen, mixed it with water and crafted a Pollen Man from the muck. ... Really.
Please send any additional ideas to me at cbiondi@gatehousemedia.com.
In some parts of the country you can see clouds of pollen in the breezes and films of green dust on cars and on the surfaces of ponds. The season is in full swing, and this annual story really does have more of a hook this year than in years past.
Depending on where you live, the season could be especially harsh, with near-record pollen counts being reported in some spots.
Below are some story ideas that could come in handy the next few weeks. Whatever story you do, be sure to include tips and resources for your readers. Let them know some basic tips to help them through the season. Here is some information from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to get you started.
Making green from green: Car washes typically see a boost in business as pollen coats our cars. You can also check in on local pharmacies - what do local pharmacists recommend? Call local air-conditioning businesses. Are people turning to air-filtration systems? Are they effective? Ask doctors and allergists what they think about expensive filtration systems.
Do a reader callout asking for home remedies. It may produce some interesting anecdotes, and at the very least generate some sources for your seasonal allergy story.
Ask readers what question they have about allergies and have a local expert answer them. Here's ABC's 'Good Morning America doing' a similar callout.
Remember, what readers want now is information, along with some some sense that they are not alone in suffering through allergy season. Give them some anecdotes along with a healthy dose of expert advice.
Because this is an annual story, look for interesting or quirky ways in:
- Find a landscaper who has bad allergies.
- Talk with local bee keepers, natural health exerts and doctors about what some folks believe to be a natural remedy: eating local honey. Does it work?
- If you're lucky, you will come across a story to tell like this - a girl who gathered a bucketful of pollen, mixed it with water and crafted a Pollen Man from the muck. ... Really.
Please send any additional ideas to me at cbiondi@gatehousemedia.com.
