Belated Marketing Monday - Must-Have Media Kit and a Secret

I was so excited about the 500 unique visitors (now 600)- I did not do my weekly Marketing Post this week.

Today, I'm going to talk about creating a solid Media Kit, also called a Press kit.

You don't have to be published to start this. Pre-Published authors can get ahead of the game! You never know. A media kit on your web site may even help you sell your book if an agent or editor comes across it.

In Guerrilla Marketing, it says the key to approaching the media, is to have the right materials in place to make it easy for placement. Books, web site, and media kit.

Tips on Creating Your Media Kit

• Your media kit should be accessible online. That way you can mail it out or email a link. You need to have everything easily available for editors or reviewers in case they don't want or need to contact you personally. All this information will convince them to interview you.
• This is the first impression they have of you so make it good, professional, and of high quality. It is better to do a few things great than alot of things mediocre. It can make the difference!
• Keep your information current
• Color is always better than B/W - except in your photo (that is just preference)

Must Haves of Online Media Kit

1. A 5x7 photo
2. Your bio
3. Any links to articles or reviews or other interviews (pdfs would be better b/c links to other sites can change)
4. A one page press release - update this quarterly with recent news - maybe including new reviews, sales, printing releases, milestones (Go to prnews.com for some samples)
5. List of basic interview questions and questions (FAQs) (next week I will focus on how to write a good press release!)
6. Link to Tour dates/signings/speaking engagements
7. Contact information
8. a brochure with a book summary and some other key facts
9. Pdf of book cover

Nice To Haves (Especially in this age of technology)

1. Video, audio, even a VLOG of you talking at signing or in interview - optional but I think in this day and age any technology is ideal
2. Links to networking pages - Facebook, MySpace etc
3. Book Trailers
4. Podcasts

Mail-out Media

1. Try to use special folders. Glossy is preferred. Double pocket with biz card window. yellow, white or grey manila folders are not ok
2. Cover letter - be professional - include project pitch, bio, and how you can benefit them (like a longer query letter)
3. Business cards - do NOT print off your own. Make them nice.
4. Order stickers for front - maybe book cover or other art. You can get folders and labels customized at VistaPrint.
5. Be sure everything is branded to be in alignment with your book/genre/author persona For example: use the same colors as your book, use images from your book) If you book is about a princes, use a tiara as a symbol. If your book is about going green, use a leaf or a green color scheme.)
6. You can add in cdsdvd's of book trailers or videos. Also include any pdfs of covers and head shots
7. Any copies of newspapers, articles, interviews etc
8. Always do your research, make a few calls to be sure you get your kit to the right person if you are mailing it out.

Great Media Examples from our very own:

• Alan Gratz - author of Samari Shortstop/Something Rotten
• Elizabeth Dulemba - illustrator (The Prince's Diary/Glotter Girl and The Crazy Cheese)

Our Little Secret

If anyone needs ever feels like they need or want help with marketing or PR, I will happily honor the Southern Breeze SCBWI discount I give on all of my services to any published or pre-published author. Go to my biz web site for detailed prices and packages.