How to create Your Virtual Media Kit to Promote Your Books

There is one thing all aspiring and seasoned authors need and that is the ultimate online marketing tool kit – your MEDIA Kit!   Your virtual media kit will give you an advantage over other writers who do not have one.  If you surf the net, you will find that most well-known authors have their media kit online for the world to see. Some authors have their media kit clearly identified on their websites and others simply have links to aspects of their media kit. I recommend you do some of both.

For instance, if someone is looking for information about you, such as a biography, it should have a separate link on your site. Same with the book(s) you have written.  In addition there may be a separate button for news and your calendar (for book signings and appearances). However some of these items also become components of your media kit.

The purpose of having a virtual media kit (or media room, press room or media corner or simply a button that says MEDIA or PRESS) is to make it easy for the media to find what they are looking for – a central location for things like your bios, downloadable pictures, media releases, book covers, contact information, etc.

In fact, much of these same things will go into your Virtual Media Kit.  On the landing page of your media room you will want a welcome message or introduction inviting the media to look around and use whatever they need for instance if they are working on a story or would like to contact you for an interview.  The media room is an excellent place to include things the media or even event planners need when dealing with you.

 Having a viewing version and print version of many of the documents is also a good idea. This saves time (and money) when it is necessary to download and print items such as a brochure or one sheet, pictures of you and your book covers. A virtual assistant can create many if not all of the items you need for the downloadable print version.

Here is a list of things I recommend be in your virtual media kit as well as a list of optional things to include.

● Press releases
● Author bios (a short and long version – include word count in these documents)
● Image Gallery with Photos (black and white and color – varying download sizes)
● Fact sheet, one sheet or sell sheet
● Book Reviews
● Downloadable Flyers
● Audio/print interviews
● Your Calendar (for book signings and other appearances)

Optional Items:

● Postcards
● Bookmarks
● Sample Interview Questions
● Links to your other websites and blogs
● List of Associations/Professional Affiliations
● Introductions – this is different than a bio in that it may be used by the introducer to set the stage for when you are speaking to a group
● Sample Articles or your newsletter if you write one
● Classes you are conducting such as teleseminars, workshops, etc.

When creating your media kit – any items that are downloadable (with the exception of photos) should include your name, contact information and website URL. When uploading the PDF documents, be sure and include a brief sentence stating how the visitor can get a copy of the free PDF reader. We use Adobe® which you can access here: http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/ . 

Before publishing your virtual media kit, ask two or three friends to review it as well as someone with an editing and copyrighting background. If you have a friend in the media, ask her or him to also review it.

Over time you will expand your virtual media kit.  Each time you have something new to add update your file. Be sure you review your media kit at least once or twice a year and make any changes you have including new books, new writing projects and any personal or statistical information that may change over time.

I have researched dozens of authors’ sites and have noticed there are varying degrees of information available.  Some include book testimonials, back cover text and sample chapters. Others don’t. Some have pages with the information stored on the site while others have downloadable PDF versions of their entire media kit.  There is not right way or wrong way. The point is you want to create a virtual media kit that will serve your purpose as well as be of service to the media.  How much is too much or too little will depend on those needs.

Need a Book Coach?  Heidi has been coaching authors for years on getting their books written, edited, published and promoted.  Contact her for more information!

©Heidi Richards Mooney - is a Professional Speaker, Business Coach and the Author of 7 books including: “Rose Marketing on a Daisy Budget ~ How to Grow Your Business Without Spending a Fortune.”  She is also the Publisher of WE Magazine for Women. Stop by http://www.speakingwithspirit.com to get a FREE copy of YOUR Marketing Calendar today!

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