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: Author Photo Tips

See: Blurbs, Excerpts, Taglines and Loglines OH MY!

See: How to Write an Author Bio

See: How to Set Up a Blog Tour 

QUESTION: Do you have a press kit?


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73 comments:

  1. Madeline Mora-SummonteAugust 31, 2015 at 7:51 AM

    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....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 9:42 AM

      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.

      Delete
  2. Christine RainsAugust 31, 2015 at 8:52 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      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.

      Delete
  3. Alex J. CavanaughAugust 31, 2015 at 9:02 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pat HattAugust 31, 2015 at 9:39 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 9:44 AM

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

      Delete
  5. Karen Jones GowenAugust 31, 2015 at 9:47 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 10:01 AM

      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.

      Delete
  6. Yolanda RenéeAugust 31, 2015 at 10:01 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 2:59 PM

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

      Delete
  7. Annalisa CrawfordAugust 31, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:00 PM

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

      Delete
  8. River FairchildAugust 31, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    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. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:00 PM

      Hunting and gathering for info is no fun for anyone.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousAugust 31, 2015 at 11:01 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:01 PM

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

      Delete
  10. bettyAugust 31, 2015 at 11:20 AM

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

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:02 PM

      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.

      Delete
  11. sageAugust 31, 2015 at 11:41 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sageAugust 31, 2015 at 11:42 AM

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

      Delete
    2. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:02 PM

      HAHAHA! Bad press. :P

      Delete
  12. Kelly HashwayAugust 31, 2015 at 12:10 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousAugust 31, 2015 at 12:18 PM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:03 PM

      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.

      Delete
  14. Carrie-AnneAugust 31, 2015 at 12:29 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:04 PM

      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.

      Delete
  15. cleemckenzieAugust 31, 2015 at 1:05 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. Susan Gourley/KelleyAugust 31, 2015 at 1:23 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:05 PM

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

      Delete
  17. T. Powell ColtrinAugust 31, 2015 at 1:32 PM

    This is great information. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  18. LidyAugust 31, 2015 at 1:53 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  19. diedre KnightAugust 31, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:07 PM

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

      Delete
  20. Ava QuinnAugust 31, 2015 at 2:42 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeyAugust 31, 2015 at 3:07 PM

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

      Delete
  21. Beverly Stowe McClureAugust 31, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Liz A.August 31, 2015 at 8:28 PM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeySeptember 1, 2015 at 11:57 AM

      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.

      Delete
  23. Sandra CoxAugust 31, 2015 at 8:35 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeySeptember 1, 2015 at 11:58 AM

      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.

      Delete
  24. BirgitAugust 31, 2015 at 11:05 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeySeptember 1, 2015 at 11:59 AM

      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.

      Delete
  25. ElizabethSeptember 1, 2015 at 12:30 AM

    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. sherry fundinSeptember 1, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hilary Melton-ButcherSeptember 1, 2015 at 9:12 AM

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

    Cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lisa ThomsonSeptember 1, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    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?).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeySeptember 1, 2015 at 12:01 PM

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

      Delete
  29. UnknownSeptember 1, 2015 at 1:00 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  30. Jeffrey ScottSeptember 1, 2015 at 1:40 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeySeptember 1, 2015 at 4:31 PM

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

      Delete
  31. Mary KirklandSeptember 1, 2015 at 2:42 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2015 at 5:20 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  33. Nick WilfordSeptember 1, 2015 at 6:34 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  34. nashvillecats2September 1, 2015 at 6:48 PM

    Thanks for the useful tips.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Romance Book HavenSeptember 1, 2015 at 6:49 PM

    Fantastic list and tips. Thanks for sharing Chrys!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Rhonda AlbomSeptember 2, 2015 at 3:04 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrys FeySeptember 2, 2015 at 12:22 PM

      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.

      Delete

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