1. Single page. Unfortunate, but true, we live in a world of sound bytes and ‘want-it-yesterdays’. Publishers and media contacts are busy people who have little time to comb through hundreds of multiple page press releases. Limit your press release to one page to gain a better chance of it being read.
2. Catchy headline. All press releases have a headline that sums up the entire release in a few well chosen words. This is an opportunity to shine and show off your creative side. Think about headlines that you see in newspapers and make your headline count. Get their attention and they’ll want to read more and know more.
3. No first person. Your press release needs to read as if it came from an objective third-party. Write in in the present tense and stay away from jargon and slang.
4. Dynamic first paragraph. Here’s where the magic happens. Hook your reader’s attention by highlighting what the book is about in a sentence or two and including a few chapter titles. This is the paragraph that readers will use to determine whether they’re interested in pursuing you and your book and giving you the coverage that you want.
5. Author’s bio. This is where having a short and sweet bio come in handy. If you’ve created a book jacket bio for yourself, this is an ideal place for you to use it. In fact, you may need to apply additional edits to keep it no longer than a paragraph. It’s extremely important to include your phone number and email address in this section for contact information. This is how you’ll be reached schedule interviews or for clarification of your press release.

Don’t forget to follow-up with your contacts a few days after you deliver the press release to ensure that they’ve received it. Using these press release tips will help you construct a newsworthy piece that is concise, relevant and ready for media coverage.

Technorati Tags: authors, book publicity, public relations

When you consider a book jacket bio, think about how it will be used and about the space that is available. A book jacket bio should be a short paragraph or two that gives a brief overview about about the author. If the book is non-fiction, the bio should talk about qualifications and what inspired the writing and initiated its perspective. For a fictional book, mention what prompted you to become a writer or how many books you’ve published previously.

What’s most important about a book jacket bio is that it’s often used to serve many different purposes. As previously mentioned, there’s a limited amount of room so the bio should be kept relatively short. Additionally, this bio has multiple functions and will be used for publicity material, such as flyers, and to accompany photos for book tours. For the most part, a book jacket bio is permanent, meaning once it’s printed it’s not easily edited without cost for reprint. For this reason, keeping the book jacket bio professional and succinct should be your ultimate goal.

On the other hand, an online bio has quite a bit more flexibility. It doesn’t have spacial constraints, which allows for more detailed information to be shared, and it can be updated and changed freely without incurring any costs. An online bio is exposed to a wider audience and a more conversational approach should be incorporated into the bio’s overall language. The accessibility of the bio gives it global exposure to people from different nationalities, different educational backgrounds and different social sectors. Therefore, a simple online bio will allow more readers to connect with the author because they can easily read and relate to the author.

So when you’re getting ready to begin writing your bio think about where it will be used, how it will be used and who will be reading it. Think like a member of your audience and write a bio that will appeal to him/her. Take a step back from what you’ve created and revisit it to see if it satisfies the basic criteria of an online or book jacket version. The time invested to develop an audience appropriate bio will pay off moving forward.

Technorati Tags: author, bio, Book Marketing, Branding

To this day it remains a mystery as to why so many bios choose uninteresting over compelling content. Great bios stand out because they’re enjoyable to read and memorable afterward. For instance, some great bios use humor, which shows that the author doesn’t take himself/herself too seriously. It also demonstrates that the individual enjoys what he/she does. A bio isn’t an application for a job with the Federal Government, it’s an opportunity to let your personality shine through. Need some inspiration? Read attorney Kevin Gliwa’s bio for a chuckle.

A great bio will highlight a single defining moment that changed, shaped or inspired a life decision for the author. Rather than discussing countless and irrelevant details, choosing one key moment to elaborate on is like having a mini-thriller built into a bio. It captivates a readers attention and gives them insight and perspective regarding the author at the same time. Great bios that choose a significant event to share will be clear stand outs.

Great bios avoid using hyperbole. Exaggerations discredit the author, appear as misleading and read like statements made by the guy from the used car lot. When a bio is well written, it doesn’t need to rely on claims like ‘the best writer in the world’ and ‘the queen of the most self-published books’. The best bios will stick with the facts and leave embellishments at the craft store. A great bio delivers information concisely, but with a touch of personal creativity.

Take the time to gain a better understanding of the characteristics that make a bio good and those that make them bad. The Internet is an excellent place to start your hunt. You may end up finding motivation in unexpected places, as well as learn a trick or two along the way.

Technorati Tags: author, bio, Book Marketing

First and foremost, always write a bio in the third person. Not only does it appear more professional, but it gives credibility to what’s being shared because it reads as if it were coming from an outside source. So pack up the first person voice and send it on vacation. If creating a bio in third person is too taxing, consider having a friend or colleague write the first draft. It just might be the push needed to get things moving in the right direction.

Second, practice enforcing the KISS principle for this branding project. An acronym that means ‘keep it simple silly’, KISS will help maintain focus and keep your bio on track. In other words, sharing too much detail and you’ll end up derailing. The difference between a bio and a biography boils down to length. Bios are succinct, small pieces on a single page, whereas a biography has the potential to shame Tolstoy’s famed work.

The third bio branding tip relates to overall content. For starters, create a hook to draw in readers. You want them craving for more, not thinking you’re such a bore. Give your bio a marketing edge by incorporating an endorsement from a colleague, celebrity or industry expert. Avoid fancy, flowery language. Instead, convey a sense of personality through words and simple English. Tell a story about the brand You using action words and anecdotes.

Your bio can be a powerful tool if it’s built correctly. Make it work to your advantage. Keep the tone upbeat, fresh and interesting. A bio doesn’t have to be boring, but it does need to verbally present your brand identity. Save jargon and clichés for a rainy day and start marketing yourself as the expert that you are.

Technorati Tags: bio, Branding, public relations