First things first, for the person who came to this site with the search phrase “i want to read tales of the otori for free” I have an answer for you, it’s called the library. You can find the Tales of the Otori series and many other fine, fabulous books for absolutely no money down…unless you have library fines. That I can’t help you with.
Secondly, I want this book, however I will probably have to follow the library advice I gave above for currently the funds are lacking. Ms. Kate Rothwell, add this one to your suggestions list.
Now on to the real business. On the “Online Publicity Kits: Do You Have One?” column Lynda Hilburn asked, “I have a question about the press kit. Everything you talked about is on my website, but I don't have a specific button called "press kit." Is it enough that all my materials are accessible?”
You do not need a specific button called press kit, no. Your site is laid out in such a way that if you wanted to create a downloadable PDF file on your bio page you could, but it is not necessary. Instead you should have all this information saved on your computer in a Word or PDF document that you can copy (the text and the hotlinks) into an email or just attach the document along with the pictures to your email. Save the jpegs for when you know you will be hosted on the other site so as to avoid getting sent directly to the trash folder. If you wanted your trailer included in a guest column or interview, you would send that link along with anything else you thought the writer might need. Given that most bloggers I know don’t reside in basements, but actually work full time jobs as well as blog, anything you can provide to make their job easier the better. So keep a file on hand on your desk top just in case.
Lynda’s question and my own column got me thinking about the role of Press Releases/Publicity Statements on the internet. For me they often seem to lose their impact when all I get from a subject line is “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.” That’s good to know, but what is for immediate release? Why should I care?
The impact of the title line is lost because I’m not even tempted to open the email.
Of course, I’m an odd duck, so I want to hear your opinion. Have any of you received emailed Press Release/Publicity Statements that worked? How’d they do it? Have any of you written one that has received a good response?
As always, interested in what you have to say.
4 comments:
Hmmm. I'm a book publicist. Generally when I send a press release that is clearly an announcement of some sort I will put the actual announcement title in the subject header. When I worked for Big Ass Publishing Company way back when, I frequently had to send out press releases for big acquisitions. if I wanted anyone to actually open them, the subject header had to be short and concise and to the point. For example, "Big Ass Publishing Company acquires two books by Great Big Giant Author Name"
It usually works.
The FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE is a leftover from the days of faxed press releases, I think.
(BTW, feel free to ask me if you ever want answers to any questions from a publishing perspective.)
Thanks so much for answering my question. I really appreciate the good info.
Lynda Hilburn
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" also distinguishes from press releases that are embargoed until a certain date. The media outlet may get the release (usually electronically these days) but can't report on the contents until the date specified in the release.
Agh, more stuff to do. I am going to buy a lottery ticket. And when I win, I am going to hire a small and precise assistant named Derek. Derek will wear a neat dark blue suit and follow me around with a notepad. I'll say, "I need a press packet." And he'll say, "I'm right on it, Miss Marta!"
I can't wait until I win!
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