In a post today ( in BBC News ), discusses the government of India’s strong interest in returning to the expansion levels of yesteryear. With a former growth rate of around nine percent annually, India’s latest growth rate has been around 6.5%+ recently. Actually, 6.5% looks great compared to many countries around the world for [...]
Create an Online Media Kit the Media Will Love
Creating appealing material on an author website makes book publicity easier because an author can direct everyone to a URL from anywhere in the world. An online media kit is similar to a print media kit, with the difference being that an online media kit is in a .pdf format. Individual files from an online media kit can be sent to individuals in the media when on the phone or exchanging e-mail discussing a potential (or scheduled) appearance…speed of communication does matter.
Be consistent on the “look” of every page of your online media kit. The purpose of an online media kit is to illustrate your ability to help the audience of the media taking an interest in an author making an appearance, interview, etc. At the top of every page, include:
a) Name of author
b) Title of author’s book and,
c) Contact information.
Create an Appealing Media Kit
What is an appealing media kit? An author media kit should be designed to set an author apart from the others and showcase an author’s professionalism, credentials, areas of expertise and the author’s platform. An author’s online media kit should be designed to make the author the best choice for an upcoming media opportunity. An author’s online media kit should give the media an idea of the author’s vast knowledge and create certainty that this author is the best choice.
Instilling Confidence in the Producer
The knowledge that a producer has when he or she knows that an author will be an excellent expert—an author knows what they are talking about and they proved it in the pages of their media kit by providing media producers with the evidence they need to feel confident in booking you, the author.
Compare Two Potential Media Guests…
A competitor of yours sends their information via email to the media producer as just a normal, everyday email with a signature line. Your information arrives completely packaged with everything the media needs to know to book you. A producer has to jump through hoops to work with the first expert – you are “low maintenance.” An added bonus is that you can tailor your media kit to fit the needs of a specific media contact at any time.
An author with a professional online media kit can guide a media producer through their online media kit and point out certain areas that the author especially wants the producer to notice. Many times an author can set the media appearance right on the phone. With the help of an author’s online media kit, the author has provided the media contact with the certainly they must have in order to book the author.
Pages for an Online Media Kit:
1. Cover picture of the author’s book
2. A color picture of the author
3. Author bio written especially for the media
4. Interview topic ideas – fully developed with talking & message point along with pertinent questions
5. Suggested interview questions that are relevant to the topic
6. Facts that support an author’s segment (example: a recent study that shows holiday travel is up by 44 percent over last year)
7. Sample quiz – if an author’s material can be made into a quiz format then prepare a fun quiz. Print media loves this format. A quiz works well for lifestyle, love, relationship, losing weight, workplace presented in a light-hearted way.
8. Testimonials from any other producers etc. that said you, as an author, were a great guest.
9. Media Page: Illustrate the media you, as an author, has participated in…listing the most important first.
10. Link back to the author’s site if the author has a demo or audio demo on their website.
11. Scanned in pictures of the author’s book cover, the author in both a business look and upscale casual.
I am in the process of getting my online media kit ready for primetime. This preparation is a lot of work. I have had previous experiences with online media kits and this online media kit program definitely works. Pace yourself and get it done (this applies to the whole “how to write a book” series).
Mike McCann
Mike-at-GlobalBusinessCafe.com