How to write a press kit cover letter

How to Create a Press Kit by Sam Ashe-Edmunds - Updated September 26, Creating a press kit requires not only putting together a message you want the public to read or hear, but also presenting it in a way that increases the chances your information will be communicated correctly. This requires organizing your information in an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand way for media outlets to use. What a Press Kit Is Press kits are packets of information created to give reporters, editors and other members of the news media information on a business, product, event or organization.

Press Kits and Pitch Letters Perhaps the most basic tool in a publicist's arsenal is the press kit. Remember that media people receive thousands of these a week no exaggeration! To stand above the crowd you'll need to spend a little money to make these as professional looking and eye-catching as possible.

Even if you don't have an eye for designing your own, catalogs such as Paper Direct you can get a free catalog by calling or clicking on the link provided have wonderful coordinated materials from letterhead, business cards and envelopes to special folders and presentation packets.

The "look" you select should be in tandem with your message or a special aspect about you and your work. Once you've selected your materials you can begin creating the contents of the press kit.

In general the basic press kit should contain the following: A cover letter often the pitch letter A short one or two page press release A Question and Answer sheet A one page biography A color copy of your book cover or a cover flat A 5X7 professional photo If the list seems daunting, let's take it one step at a time.

The Pitch Letter Writers have an advantage over most other business people when it comes to promoting their work because many of us are all too familiar with the query letter.

In the PR professional's handbag, is a tool known as the pitch letter. Very few people understand that the pitch letter is even more important than a press release when it comes to author PR. Very similar in purpose to a query, the pitch letter is meant to gain a media person's attention and make him or her ask for more.

How to Build a Great Marketing Kit - Cover Letter

Unfortunately, there are plenty of books on how to write a killer query and virtually none on how to write a perfect pitch letter. Most PR people learn how to craft a pitch letter from trial and error and advice when they can find it. First things first - format: A pitch letter, like a query, should be limited to a single page.

Limit your prose to three paragraphs and keep them clean, concise and direct. Use one inch margins and print it on letterhead or nice quality stationary. Make sure you have called ahead of time and gotten the correct spelling of the person's name and his or her title.

If you aren't sure whether the person is a Mr. If you don't know who you're looking for, ask. It is perfectly acceptable to say, "Could you tell me who books talent for the Leeza show? Do you know how far in advance they book a show? If you think the slush pile at a publishing house is ominous, it is nothing compared to a producer or editor's collection of daily pitches and press packets.

The first paragraph should introduce yourself and the subject. This is where you need a hook, but one that explains exactly what you have to offer, who you are, when the event is happening and where it will be.

These are known as the five W's of journalism and should be included in every pitch letter and press release you write.

For city and regional media, give them a local angle. It can showcase you as a local person, give a local example of a national incident or trend, or be related to the community.

An example would be if you saw an article in the Wall Street Journa on how writing a book can be a quick road to success. Copy the article and attach it to a pitch letter that offers to give the reporter an inside look at what really happens to authors from a local source.

For national television, radio and print media, tie yourself to a national trend or incident.

If you have a book coming out and want to get on the radio, tie the controversy of America's obsession with the Clinton "sex" scandal to the misinterpretation of romance books as "sex" books as a comment on our society. Remember that reporters are always looking for material that can be tied to a holiday, is timely or gives a new slant to a current trend or issue.

The third paragraph explains how you can be reached. Give them phone numbers and voice mail even if it is already printed on your letterhead. Always end your pitch letter by saying that you'll be contacting them and tell them when such as next week, the beginning of the month or you can be specific and say a day.

Above all, make sure that what you are pitching is what the media person needs.If you do your press kit correctly, you will see a return many times greater than your initial investment, especially if the kit gets your product or service airtime on news stations, or write-ups online and in print media outlets.

A good press kit should contain three main components: a CD containing song demos, a one-sheet band bio and a cover letter. The cover letter is a key element in . One of the important elements we covered was the Cover Letter, the letter you include with your promo kit to inform your contact about why you are sending your submission.

Sample letter to an editor requesting for a Press Release

Your Cover Letters should be simple and to the . A good press kit should contain three main components: a CD containing song demos, a one-sheet band bio and a cover letter.

The cover letter is a key element in conveying information; do not underestimate its importance. A press kit, also known as a media kit, is a page on your website that contains resources and information for reporters and publishers.

How to Create a Press Kit That Gets Publicity for Your Business by Corey Ferreira; Public Relations; Apr 20, ; 6 minute read; 9 Simple Ways to Write Product Descriptions That Sell.

Start your free. Write a cover letter that will accompany your media kit, teasing editors with a problem or opportunity their readers or viewers have. This will make them see a potential story and entice them to look through your media kit to learn more.