Do you have a media kit developed for your business?

If not, you might want to consider making one.

There are several reasons to do this. When reporters or writers do a piece for a publication, whether it is online or offline, they sometimes have a limited window of time to gather other information about the business they are writing the story on.

Having it online not only helps give a writer easy access to your information, but can also help your SEO (search engine optimization) as it’s giving the search engines additional content.

You never know when you’ll need to send information to the media and have it all together FAST. You may want to launch a PR campaign or answer a HARO (Help a Reporter)  http://www.helpareporter.com/ Query for example or you may be stalking (kidding and only for business public relation purposes) some journalists on twitter http://muckrack.com/ and happen to engage one’s interest.

Much of this information you may already have together on your website and/or your printed literature, but it’s a good idea to consolidate this information in advance, so you don’t have to scramble to put it together when a request is made.

Things to put together online for an media kit:

• High resolution photos of your business, exterior and interiors, photos of the owner(s) and/or relevant staff. If you have a portfolio, i.e. photos, images, designs, make sure you have copies of those as well. If you had a professional photographer take your photos, make sure you have usage rights or let the media person know if they need to give a photo credit. (also please see the last bullet)
• Biographical profile, i.e. about your past, schooling, if you had another profession prior to owning your business, etc.
• Biographical feature story (highlight yourself/yourselves) What made you want to become ___________ or how do you end up in _____________ etc.
• Business description: describe your business,. What type of business are you? Is it a niche business? What differentiates your business from others similar to it?
• Business description: what makes your business attractive/special/different to clients/customers/guests.
• History of the business if there is one? Are you the second owner? Is it a family business? Did it transition products or services to new things?
• Awards or commendations. Include relevant web links if applicable.
• Are you a member of any associations?
• Specifics: (in Bullets) what are your products or services? What types of customers are your target and typical customers. Do you offer specials, discounts, or special sales.
• Contact information including owner’s name(s), physical address as well as mailing address, website URL, email address, any other relevant online links i.e Youtube address. Facebook Fan Page address etc. (putting all your contact information in one place is very convenient for a writer, so they don’t have to go searching for it. (caveat, if you have a Facebook fan page and haven’t updated it in 6 months, don’t list it. If the writer uses the information and future/potential customers go there to check it out, it doesn’t look good. )
• Note for #1: For photos, make sure you save the files with a descriptive file name so identification is easy both on your end and the end user, i.e. “Owner: Jane Doe”, “ The Main Showroom”, “Weekly Lunch Specials”, “Handmade Gold and Opal Necklace”. Etc.

You have two options for sharing the files, either put high resolution JPEG files into an easily found and accessed folder on your computer and send using:

I would suggest zipped files into a folder and sending them through a file sending service as large files will clog up both your email server and the email server you are sending them too. Always forward a copy of the sent notification as well to the addressee.

Free File Sending Services

• http://www.dropsend.com/
• http://www.sendspace.com/
• https://www.transferbigfiles.com/
• http://www.bigupload.com/
• http://www.filedropper.com/
• http://wikisend.com/
• http://streamfile.com/

Or store copies of the photos online and have the link available to send to the media person. This is not a link I would make publically available on your site though as people may snag the files for use. Have the link be request only or offer it in an email exchange.

Free File Hosting and Sending Services

• http://www.adrive.com/
• http://www.dropbox.com
• http://www.box.net/
• http://www.yousendit.com/
• http://www.mediafire.com/