Okay creatives! Imma teach y'all something about promoting you and the work you do! Y'all ever heard of a "Press Kit"? If you have, cool. If you haven't, stick with me!
Creators burned by #UniversalFanCon this could hella benefit you w/ ppl asking to boost your brand!
Creators burned by #UniversalFanCon this could hella benefit you w/ ppl asking to boost your brand!
What's a press kit? Welp, google says: A package of promotional material provided to members of the press to brief them, especially about a product, service, or candidate.
It's kind of a 'cheat sheet' for bloggers, news outlets, press, etc.
It's kind of a 'cheat sheet' for bloggers, news outlets, press, etc.
Things to include in a press kit:
- Information about who you are and what you make.
- Nice photos of your products/art (insta pics work fine)
- social media links
- if you make a comic, a synopsis of your story with sample pages
- Branding stuff (logos, etc)
- contact info
- Information about who you are and what you make.
- Nice photos of your products/art (insta pics work fine)
- social media links
- if you make a comic, a synopsis of your story with sample pages
- Branding stuff (logos, etc)
- contact info
It's especially helpful to include pull quotes about the work you've done. So if you've been reviewed or featured and people said nice things, LET THE PRESS KNOW!
Providing links to past reviews of your books, or folks featuring your art is really helpful too. It allows the press to know what's been covered and what hasn't so they can find a new and interesting angle to present your story.
It may sound very strange, but providing quote from yourself is really helpful too. Explaining your process, your feelings on the what, why and how of your creations, even silly anecdotes about how the public reacts to your work is great!
In the @KamikazeComic press kit we have a PDF that includes a cover of our cover of our novel, a synopsis of the story, a section about our characters with pics and small bios, sample pages and links/quotes from other press outlets that said cool things about us.
Now, comic creators, this may go against what y'all wanna do, but hear me out: Have review copies available for your press to read. Watermark em, or don't. What matters is that your press person has the chance to read what you created!
This is a smart move for 2 reasons:
1. It gives your press person a full understanding the work you do, and the context of the story. This allows them to write about your work in an educated way.
2. Everytime we've done this, we've gained a fan, who supports us again later.
1. It gives your press person a full understanding the work you do, and the context of the story. This allows them to write about your work in an educated way.
2. Everytime we've done this, we've gained a fan, who supports us again later.
For artists only, your press kit should include samples of the artwork you've done, where it's been featured or published, and any project you've worked on. So if you've done a bunch of fan art, but also work for an animation studio - FFS MENTION THE STUDIO.
Organizing all this is pretty crazy, so what I suggest personally is sending along a link to a shared google file folder.
Clearly label every piece of content in your press kit. Ex: Lois Lane don't know your co partners. So photos should include names of ppl in the file name.
Clearly label every piece of content in your press kit. Ex: Lois Lane don't know your co partners. So photos should include names of ppl in the file name.
The idea of a press kit is to make it SUPER easy for Lois Lane to talk about your art, book or comic. She shouldn't have to go rummaging around for photos, links, social media or art. She should be able to find them all there packaged nicely in a press kit.
One final note: A press kit is always changing, adapting and being updated, because that's what you do as a creator. You're growing, and your press kit should reflect that. Update it often!
Okay, I think that mostly covers it. If y'all have questions please ask!
Okay, I think that mostly covers it. If y'all have questions please ask!
Oh shi-! I forgot about writers! WRITERS. OMG. Y'all gotta get on the press kit train too, especially if you're indie!
Thing's y'all should focus on: Titles of the books you've written, w/ cover imgs and synopsis, social media links and reviews of your work.
Thing's y'all should focus on: Titles of the books you've written, w/ cover imgs and synopsis, social media links and reviews of your work.
Additionally, if you've got a blog, magazine, anything that's been published mention it, provide links. Also keep review copies of your books so Lois Lane can write about how amazing your characters, prose and plot structure are!
Side note for writers (don't put this in your press kits tho): Please for the love of god have samples ready for when jobs come around. Try to do more than your normal fare. Get out of your comfort zone. I've landed more jobs because people are like, "Wow, you do COMICS too?!"
Okay...that's it. I think. Again, questions welcome if y'all got it. <3
Adding to this because I just thought of something:
*ahem*
The press are not your personal army. They are people who have jobs to do. When you seek out opportunities with reporters,reviewers or bloggers understand that they may say no. Be okay with that. Your time will come.
*ahem*
The press are not your personal army. They are people who have jobs to do. When you seek out opportunities with reporters,reviewers or bloggers understand that they may say no. Be okay with that. Your time will come.
