Guest Post: Creating a Media Sheet

by Donna Huber

I'm often hired by authors to assist in contacting reviewers. If all they've hired me for is blogger outreach, I put together a media sheet for the book I'm pitching. Basically, it's a pared down media kit. For the busy author (and what author isn't busy?), I highly recommend having a media sheet specific to the book you are promoting. It allows for the quick and easy dissemination of information to bloggers. Also, it looks professional and is a great resource to have on hand.

Most bloggers, when accepting your request for a review or to host you, will ask for some basic information. By having this media sheet done, you won't have to worry about finding all the pieces, or leaving anything out by accident. It can also provide information to the blogger about your book without making your pitch long-winded. If you don't already have a media kit, it can also serve as the basis for one.

What you need...

• Book information
• Title including the series name if part of one 
• Book cover
• Publish date & publisher, genre, target audience, available format(s), buy links
• Summary
• List other books in the series 
• Link to book trailer (if specific to this book as opposed to the series as a whole, list it after the summary)
• Author information
• Photo
• Short biography - usually a few sentences, but up to two paragraphs
• Social media links
• Twitter, Facebook (author fan page or book fan page), website, blog, Goodreads, etc.
• Provide the full url, do not hyperlink the text.
• Praise for book or series
• I usually include 3 to 5 "sound bites" from reviews (Amazon, Goodreads, blogs, etc.)
• Also list any awards won for the title or series
• Any big media coverage – write up in newspapers/magazines
• Other publications
• Other books by you that aren't part of the series - if different genres/target audience from the one you are promoting, indicate that
• Published articles or name of a regular column you write (links if available)

A media sheet should be under 3 pages. It can be a Word document or pdf. Embed the images in the document, but also send them as separate jpeg or png files when you send the sheet. While it may take a bit of time to compile all of this information, once you have it together you will find it is a great time saver. Being organized and having this information at the tips of your fingers will demonstrate your professionalism and win you some brownie points with bloggers.

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Donna is stopping by to promote her new book, Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour, in which she shares tips and tricks learned through organizing over 30 tours, blasts, and promotional events for nearly 50 independently and traditionally published titles.  It is now available through: 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/14Uf6Js (US)  or  http://amzn.to/128YXex (UK)

Smashwords:  http://bit.ly/129518l

Kobo:  http://bit.ly/12iPtO7

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the blogger behind Girl Who Reads where, in addition to book reviews and author appearances, she writes the popular blogging advice series, Tips on Thursday. She has worked as a freelance publicist since 2010 assisting publishers and authors with their marketing and publicity needs. Most notably, she was the publicist for The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House edition of Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker by E. L. James.

When she is not doling out blogging advice or promoting the next bestseller, she can be found spending time with family (particularly the four legged, furry members), rewatching Downton Abbey and Harry Potter, or trying to make a dent in her never ending to-be-read pile.

Connect with Donna through:  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Goodreads  ~  Her Blog

As part of her tour, Donna is having a giveaway!  Enter through the Rafflecopter form below, and don't forget to stop by her other tour stops!

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