Yes, you can create your own media kit!

All too often, people hoping to make an easy buck try to convince self-published authors that they need expensive marketing services to get the attention of traditional media – newspapers, magazines, television and radio. The truth is that with a little know-how of what to write to whom and with a few hours of your time, you can be far more successful in obtaining the media’s attention than almost every online marketing company.

Learning how to create and send a press kit will pay dividends. After all, publicity in traditional media outlets almost always results in book sales. It also creates an awareness about your book and you as an author than can lead to other book selling opportunities, such as guest speaking, readings and signings. Such publicity also gives you credibility; from other people’s perspectives, while you may be self-published, your book was good enough to be taken seriously by the media, elevating your stature.

I speak from experience about the power of a media kit. For more than 20 years, I worked at newspapers and magazines in posts from cub reporter to executive editor of award-winning publications. Once I retired from corporate media and went to writing books full-time, I’ve created press kits for every one of my books, landing me several interviews at publications in major metro areas as well as got my press release published as written. In this book, I’ll share the “secrets” of how to prepare a media kit for the press that also will land you quality publicity.

Still not convinced that you can put together your own successful press kit? Then consider the following three facts.

It’s easy to do
You already know how to write, after all. You know how to search for information online and how to send emails with attachments. Those really are the only skills required. All you really need is an understanding of the media kit’s structure and an understanding of what the media is looking for.

The media wants to hear about your book
A number of media outlets are looking for story ideas that are local, that are human interest-oriented, and that focus on specific topics especially if seasonally-oriented. The fact that you’ve written and published a book often fits that bill.

It’s only effective when you do it
Marketing companies will ask you to spend hundreds of dollars on their services, but their shotgun approach rarely ever works. It may have worked decades ago when newspaper and magazine circulations were high so text from anywhere was needed to fill space or when there were only three or four television channels that required someone with an “in” to get your some coverage. Today, however, press releases must be tailored to each news outlet’s particular coverage area and needs.

This blog includes several easy-to-follow articles about how to create your own media kit. Among them:
• Create media kit to promote your book
• How to write a press release for your book
• Where to send media kit promoting your book

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.