Here is great advice from my colleague and friend, Karen Saunders on what you should include in your book media kit.

A book media kit can be a paper folder or a page on your website with the essential information and marketing materials about your book. The media kit should provide the media with all the information they need to write a story, or do an audio or video interview with the author.

For a hard copy media kit you can gather the following items and arrange them in a classy folder (a solid color in gloss is good). Paste a color postcard of your book cover on the front of the folder.

For an online media kit, add a page on your website called “For the Media” or “Media Kit” and upload the following items. You can upload pdf files, MS Word files, jpg photos, and mp3 audios and video clips.

Your media kit may include all or some of the following items:

Fact Sheet/Book One-sheet
Book Summary
Book Excerpt
Copies of Published Articles
Book Reviews
Praise and Endorsements
Story Ideas and Backgrounders
Your Biography/Author Information
Your Photo: Black and White and Color
Frequently Asked Questions
Interview Questions and Answers
Interview Topics
Testimonials
Cover Letter
News Angles
Interview Topics
Brochures
Tour Schedule/Calendar of Author Events
Media Clippings
Publisher and Purchasing Information
Press Releases
Success Stories/Case Studies
CD, DVD with Audio and Video Clips
Additional Resources
Color Postcards of the Book Cover

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What if YOU could know more secrets from an award-winning graphic designer that would help you create amazing marketing materials in a few hours, would you want to know how? Find out now at www.BuyAppealMarketing.com

Karen Saunders is the author of Turn Eye Appeal into Buy Appeal: How to easily transform your marketing pieces into dazzling, persuasive sales tools! Hundreds of business owners have used her simple do-it-yourself design system to create stunning marketing materials that really SELL their products and services! To learn about this indispensable book, click here: www.BuyAppealMarketing.com

What can an Author’s Assistants do for the writer and author? Here are 24 critical tasks an Author’s Assistant can do to help every writer and author:

• Inventory and organize the author’s source documents
  

• Do target reader research
  

• Fact check and research for the book
  

• Obtain permissions to use quotes and interviews
  

• Coordinate the peer and audience reviews/testimonials
  

• Research potential publishers
  

• Do a competitive analysis
  

• Prepare the manuscript to submit to a publisher
  

• Coordinate the self-publishing process
  

• Get the ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
  

• Get the library cataloguing information (the LCCN in the US, the CIP elsewhere)
  

• Get the bar code for the back cover
  

• Create an account with the printer
  

• Review the printer’s proof
  

• Get the book listed in Bowker’s Books in Print
  

• Get the copyright registered
  

• Coordinate promotional activities
  

• Send out copies for early review
  

• Get book listed on Amazon
  

• Help create and maintain the author’s web site and media kit
  

• Enter a book in book awards competitions
  

• Create a virtual book launch and book tour
  

• Organize a live book event
  

• Launch an Amazon bestseller campaign

2009 Jan B. King, Founder, The Publishing Store

Virtual Book Tours (VBT) also known as Virtual Author Tours (VAT) are fast becoming the best way to market your book online. Here are 10 tips to help you create a successful virtual book tour:

1.   Create a Web page

Set up a Web page specifically for the Virtual Book Tour (VBT). This is where you will send potential tour stop hosts so they can sign up to join your VBT. This site should also capture contact information and put it in your shopping cart system for future email promotions.

2.   Create a book trailer

Create a dynamic book trailer. Don’t skimp on this step. This will be one of the main reasons people sign up for the book tour. A good book trailer acts along the lines of a movie trailer. It’s your hook to draw people in, get them curious and asking for more.

3. Do your research

Spend a lot of time carefully doing Internet research to find areas that fit your target market. (Are you writing about self-help, women’s issues, business, a fantasy novel?). Search more than just blogging sites. Search for web radio, newsletters, article submissions, and social networking sites.

4. Create a killer pitch letter geared to your target market

Create a pitch letter, stating who you are, what you are doing, and add links to the Web site and the book trailer. Personalize the letter and specifically gear it to your target audience, and make sure it doesn’t sound canned or come off as a mass email.

5.   Offer more than blogging

Again, offer more than just blogging as a means for your tour stop hosts. Podcasts, Q&A sessions, live interviews, phone interviews, articles for newsletters, Internet radio interviews, all work, as well as blogs. The easier you can make it for your tour stop host, the better response you’ll receive.

6.   Create a tracking spreadsheet

Create a spreadsheet including all the sites you’ve found, the contact information, when you contacted them, what you can offer that particular contact (i.e., will you blog for them, do a Q&A session, live interview, podcast?) and make a column for responses. Then use an online calendar (Outlook, Google, Yahoo all have calendars that will work just fine) to see who’s doing what, when, and where.

7.   Follow up at least four (4) times

Once you have all these steps in place, you are ready to start contacting each person on our list along with their personal pitch letter. If you don’t get a response right away, follow up (at least four times) with a different pitch letter each time. (It’s not as necessary to personalize these follow up letters.) And, don’t waste time with those that don’t respond after the fourth try. Move on to a new group of contacts. If you’ve written a good pitch letter, most of your responses will come in after the first or second try.

8. Start your own blog

Post what’s happening with your VBT in your blog. Add each tour stop date and plug the tour stop host’s company, their Web site and their contact information.

9.   Send Goodies

Offer to send a copy of your book to your tour stop host along with other possible freebies, (i.e., a workbook, a report, an audio CD, etc.). And don’t forget a thank you note.

10. Ask for referrals

Ask your tour stop host for referrals of people they know that would benefit from your book. You’ll find that if you offer quality content and are passionate and enthusiastic about your book then others will be too.

(Lexington, KY, USA) March 6, 2007 – Outsourcing organization,
RemoteProfessionals.com, Inc.,  (http://www.RemoteProfessionals.com) will
present an online mini-conference for independent workers on April 17th,
2008. The mini-conference will contain two tracks, one for new virtual
workers and one for long-term offsite providers, and will be held from 9:30
am to 1:45 pm (EST).

Speakers will cover topics including: How to secure clients, how to release
clients, managing and billing time, business blogging, creating and online
presence and website review. Speakers include:

Tiffanie Lyon of lyonsalesinstitute.com, is a published author, trainer and
speaker who inspires non-traditional sales people to accomplish effective
self-promotion and promote their small and home-based businesses for a larger
market share.

Marsha Kopan of execsecsrv.com, a 10-year veteran of the virtual assistance
industry who has served on numerous professional boards and committees and
runs a successful VA practice specializing in association management and
paralegal services.

Anna Baron of thevirtuallink.com, is an 11-year veteran of the VA industry who
specializes in web design and Internet marketing for the Real estate
industry. She has appeared in multiple industry publications and has mentored
and coached beginning virtual assistants for over five years. 

Karen Reddick, MVA of vandeservices.com and redpeneditor.com has been a
virtual assistant for six years and is a professional author’s assistant
helping authors, editors and publishing executives.  Her business has been
featured on NBC’s Today Show. Karen publishes a weekly newsletter,
podcasts “Red Hot Grammar Tips,” and is an author in her own right.

Mike Price of MLBroadcast.com is a veteran web technologist who helps his
clients use Web 2.0 platforms to improve visibility, enhance presentation and
deliver cutting edge information on the Internet. Mike specializes in
assisting real estate industry professionals to use podcasting, web video,
blogging and social networking to capture a wider market share.

Andrea Pixley of AndreaPixley.com has been in business for over eight years
and is one of the most recognized names in the Virtual Assistant Industry
(Just Google “virtual assistant”). Andrea specializes in website and customer
services and manages a resource website to assist military families like her
own.

Two of the mini-conference sessions will be hands-on workshops, limited to ten
participants. Non-workshop classes will host a larger audience. When session
space is limited, participants will be registered on a first-come, first
served basis. Classes may be taken individually or a full-day discounted pass
may be purchased. For more information, or to register for the event, visit
http://www.RemoteProfessionals.com/ or call 888-890-8226.

About RemoteProfessionals.com:
RemoteProfessionals.com is a professional networking organization for
outsourcing professionals. Our members are dedicated to providing exemplary
service, promoting outsourcing workstyles, supporting peer providers, and
supporting clients worldwide without geographic limitations.

The only Virtual Assistant to be featured on network television, listen to my interview with Melanie O’Kane talk about my new book, Grammar Done Right, as well as how using an editor and author’s assistant can help your business grow. Inquiring minds also wanted to know what it was like to be showcased on the Today Show.

Buy Grammar Done Right at www.grammardoneright.com
Buy A-Z Guide: The Best Ways to Work with a VA at www.vandeservices.com

 Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 17 at 7:00p (CST).

I am interviewed by host Sandra Yancey founder and CEO of eWomenNetwork.  We’ll talk about how an author’s assistant can help writers and authors take their writing concepts to publishing success!

The show is broadcast live from the Dallas, Texas studios of WBAP News/Talk 820, an ABC/Disney Company, and the #1 listened-to radio station in Texas.

WBAP is heard in 80% of the USA . Most people will be able to hear the eWomenNetwork.com show right from their radio by tuning to 820 on the AM dial (in Dallas).

All others, please listen on the web at: 
 http://www.ewomennetwork.com/radioshow.html

Karen is a freelance editor and certified author’s assistant, committed to helping authors take their writing concepts to publishing success by helping them through all steps of the publishing process.

Karen is also the author of The A-Z Guide: The Best Ways to Work with a Virtual Assistant and Grammar Done Right! A clear, commonsense approach to grammar and style.

I’m please to announce that one of my author clients is in the midst of a whirlwind Virtual Book Tour.Gabriella Goddard’s “Gulp! The 7 Day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge” is the ground-breaking guide that can change your life . . . in one week!  Her powerful 7 step process helps you to develop the mindset, clarity and courage to face your fears, step out of your comfort zone and take that leap of faith.Here are Gabriella’s five top tips for how you can brave the unknown and embrace big change this year.

Running your own VA business can be a real challenge.  Maybe you’re just starting out and are worried about finding your first clients. Or maybe you’ve been working as a VA for a while and want to expand, or even shift direction.  The biggest problem when you work for yourself is that the only person who can change things is YOU.  But that takes inner confidence and courage.So here are my five top tips for how you can brave the unknown and take that leap of faith this year. 1. WAKE UP TO IT.
Understand that change is happening in your business for a reason. It’s time for you to grow and evolve.  Look to the change and ask “what is your purpose?” Let the answer guide you through the process. As Frank Herbert once said, “Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.”

I’m please to announce that one of my author clients is in the midst of a whirlwind Virtual Book Tour.

Gabriella Goddard’s Gulp! The 7 Day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge” is the ground-breaking guide that can change your life . . . in one week!

Gulp! is one of those moments at the crossroads of life that call for you to step out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s taking a new business opportunity or leaving a bad relationship, you know in your heart that it’s time to take on your fears and insecurities and make the decision that can lead to the life you’ve always wanted. But how do you overcome the endless second-guessing that leaves you forever on the precipice of change?

View the book trailer and join the book tour at: http://www.gulptogether.com

Visit the author at: http://www.gulptime.com

If not now . . . then when?

Hi, all my aspiring (and seasoned) virtual assistant friends!
You should take advantage of the teleseminar below where you can get your questions answered and learn how you, too, can become a successful virtual assistant.

F r e e Teleseminar sponsored by The Univeristy of Virtual Assistants (www.uofvas.com)

So you want to be a VA?

Bring your questions and get the answers on how to start your business, what skills and experience you will need, what technology you should have, what VAs do and how they do it. Get the answers to those burning questions about launching your VA business!

The teleseminar is f r e e of charge and limited to the first 15 participants. Hurry! There are only a few seats left!

When: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 9 a.m. MDT (11 a.m. EDT, 10 a.m. CDT, 8 a.m. PST)

Where: Via telephone. Conference call information will be sent via email once you have registered.

To RSVP send an email to
Cheryl@UofVAs.com. You are welcome to include your question in the text of the email and I will personally answer it for you during the teleseminar!

If you have any other questions about the teleseminar, please call Cheryl at 1-877-244-6974 (ex. 4 to leave a voicemail).

I hope to see you there!

Karen Reddick,MVA/Owner
Author Support / Editorial Services
Celebrating 6 years in business!
 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 Webs: http://www.VandEServices.com * http://www.TheRedPenEditor.com
 Podcast: Red Hot Grammar Tips Podcast

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 Not exactly sure how a Virtual Assistant
can help grow your business? Buy this e-book:
A-Z Guide: The Best Ways to Work With a VA

I’m always searching for great books to share with my readers and sometimes those great books just happen to land right in my lap.

Copywriting 101 by Allison Nazarian is one of those books. This do-it-yourself guide to writing your marketing copy correctly, persuasively and stress-lessly is a wonderful guide for Small Buisnesses, Entrepreneurs, Coaches & Consultants who want to add more polish, professionalism, and power to their writing.

The book is full of tools, tips and ideas on writing effective copy for your marketing materials, blogs, newsletters, or anything you want written well.

 I especially loved the writing exercises Allison takes you through in several of the chapters. It’s like having a live, hands-on coach right there with you.

This book is a must have for anyone wanting to master the art of successful copy.

Find out more at Get It In Writing http://www.GetItInWriting.biz or email Allison at info@GetItInWriting.biz

Happy Writing!