August 31, 2015

How to Create a Press Kit



A press kit, aka a media kit, is a package of promotional information about a person or company. A press kit is given to the media to aid with interviews, product (book) releases, and news conferences.

Every author should create a press kit to make it easier for people to get all the information about you and your published work in one place. Plus, you can give your press kits to bloggers when you’re setting up your blog tour. 

You can see mine HERE.


What to put in your press kit:

1. Bio and Head Shot

2. Web links (including social media)
TIP: You can also include links to article you've done or that are about you.
3. List of Published Work

4. Agent/Publisher Information (including website and address)

5. Sample Interview Questions (optional)

6. Cover Art for Published Work

7. Book Blurbs

8. Book Information (Genre, Release Date, etc.)

9. Book Buy Links

10. Contact Information

Once you have everything configured in a document, save it to email to bloggers and anyone else who needs it. You can then add a page to your blog and/or website with all the same information for people who may be searching for it. Doing this is always a good idea. You can also create a downloadable press kit and add the link to your blog/website. I used Google Docs. But there are other websites that you can use.
TIP: Don’t forget to update your press kit whenever you publish a new book.





See: How to Set Up a Blog Tour 



QUESTION: Do you have a press kit?


73 comments:

  1. Nope, no press kit. I pretty much have all my info on my blog. Not the same, I know. Hmm, maybe I better add press kit to the To Do list....

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    1. It's a lot easier having a kit to give to someone who asks for all of your information. Instead of directing them to where they can get that info.

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  2. All very important things to remember. I have a press kit, but it changes for each book I publish. My urban fantasy kit is a bit different from my erotica one.

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    1. That makes sense! And having two separate ones for your genres is a good idea. I'll probably do that if I ever published my series. But I'd include a list of all books published and thumbnails for all books too.

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  3. I have information about me and my books, but not organized into a press kit. I guess I should do that!

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  4. Never thought of doing a press kit, but could be worthwhile indeed at some point

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    1. I just mailed out my press kit to seven individuals yesterday. Worthwhile indeed. ;)

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  5. I like this idea, very organized and efficient, better than the slap together thing I do when someone asks for information.

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    1. That's very true! I still create separate Doc kits for each release, which is good for blog tours, but I have this press kit for everything.

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  6. All very organized, and well done. I have one too, and yes, it needs updating. Thanks for the reminder!

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    1. You're welcome for the reminder! I have to remind myself to update mine whenever a new book comes out.

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  7. I have all that information in a lot of different places. I've been meaning to collate it for a while, but maybe I ought to do it sooner rather than later.

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    1. It make take an afternoon to do it, but once it's done you'll be all the better for it.

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  8. I have all this info but in different folders, making me a hunter/gatherer whenever I need to access it! Thanks for the prod to put it all in one place. :)

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    1. Hunting and gathering for info is no fun for anyone.

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  9. I don't have a press kit Doc on my computer, but I do have a tab on my website...that needs to be updated. I better put that on the to-do list.

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    1. Having a DOC and a PDF is good. Especially if you can make it downloadable on your website.

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  10. Good idea for writers to have a press kit :) Doesn't seem too complicated to put together either :)

    betty

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    1. Nope. Not too complicated to put it together. Figuring out Google Docs if you haven't used it before can be a tad tricky. Especially trying to figure out how to share a file. It took me a while.

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  11. I don't have a press kit, just bad press ;)

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    1. However, I do maintain a current C.V. with a picture to give out

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  12. You just reminded me that I need to update my press kit.

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  13. All this info is on my blog, but I can see how this may be helpful. Maybe once I get something published, I'll make one?

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    1. Definitely do when you get published. You'll need that info where it'll be easy to give it to someone, or for someone to get it. Even download it easily.

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  14. I don't have a press kit, though I've put all my (relatively few) links into one place when I did a guest post for someone awhile ago. I also pare down my official About the Author page depending upon the guest post I'm doing.

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    1. I think a press kit could help you. I think if you approached some magazines/newspapers in your area and niche, and gave them your press kit, you might find some luck for a review or even a feature. It could happen.

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  15. Oye. I think that was on a list. Lost the list. Must find. Thanks for the nudge.

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  16. I have all the pieces of a press kit but I always have to put them together when I need them.
    Susan Says

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    1. If you put it together permanently, you won't have to continue to put them together when you need them. :)

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  17. Don't have a press kit but thanks for the reminder. I still have my blog on Weebly, which I'm thinking of turning into my author site and add the press kit there.

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  18. Great idea! And certainly beneficial to those who have enough info to fill a file - ha! Press Kit sounds much more impressive than an iddy bitty bio any old day:-) I saved your list!

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    1. A press kit does sound mighty professional, doesn't it? I think that's why I really wanted one. ;)

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  19. Chrys...you rock! Always so generously awesome with the info. Off to tweet of your greatness!

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    1. Thank you, Ava!!! I believe in sharing the info. :D

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  20. Thanks for the reminder, Chrys. I have a press kit somewhere. Must find it and update because it's been a long time since I looked at it. Will keep your check list to make sure I have everything in it.

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  21. I do not have a press kit. I figure I should finish the book first. I wonder, though. Do you have it saved someplace in HTML to make it easier for bloggers to upload onto blogs?

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    1. No, I do not. But when I give bloggers info like this, it's for a blog tour and I always give them the post in HTML.

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  22. Have you thought about putting all your information together for an e book, Chrys?

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    1. I have! It's something I'll be working on later. I want some of my future posts to be included in that eBook but want to share it here first with my lovely readers.

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  23. This is greast info for anyone who is thinking of writing a book. This didn't even enter my mind. The only press kit I have is spandax to press in my fat

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    1. HAHA! Oh, you're funny. :P A press kit could also be handy for any business person. You'd only have to tailor it to the business and products.

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  24. You always have some useful tips for writers! I will definitely have to come back to some of your posts whenever I finally take the plunge into getting published :)

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  25. I am a reader/blogger and I love when an author has everything I would like to include in one tidy package. I think this is a great idea. :-)
    sherry @ fundinmental

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  26. Hi Chrys - such a useful post .. and reminder to those who are thinking ahead and being prepared, or getting there ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  27. Thank you for these tips, Chrys. I need to do this pronto. Should we include any media interview links? Newspaper articles etc. (for the website page?).

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    1. ABSOLUTELY! Media interview links, links to articles you've done or that are about you. The more the better!

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  28. You have some great tips here. Every author should have a press kit, definitely.

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  29. What a great idea.
    And to answer your question, no I don't.
    Unfortunately, I don't need one at this time. But perhaps keeping this info in mind is a good idea.

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    1. This info will come in handy when you're published. :)

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  30. Those are all great tips. I'm sure this will be helpful to a lot of people.

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  31. Handy tips. I don't have a press kit, but I should.

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  32. It sounds fairly simple and it's good to have all your info in one place. Great advice!

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  33. Fantastic list and tips. Thanks for sharing Chrys!

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  34. Thanks for all of this. I downloaded the editing file and see that I have a long way to go on my book!

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    1. You're welcome, Rhonda! And thank you for downloading my pdf. The good thing is, you can do each tip one step at a time. That's what I do when I'm editing.

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