Press Kits & Websites - The Power & The Glory

Holly HickmanUp Tempo Marketing

www.uptempomarketing.comwww.twitter.com/HollyCHickman

Press Kits and Websites:The Power and The Glory

Copyright Up Tempo Marketing

Press Kits

Well‐written biography (not too long)

Consider both full and short versions of your bio (be your own editor)

Professional photos – both headshots and in action, casual and formal. Get creative! (Must be high‐resolution, 300‐dpi and somewhat recent)

Reviews and quotes

Audio and video content

Press release(s), résumé, repertoire list

Contact info

Hard copy and electronic versions


Writing Your Bio (from Writing a Douche‐Free Bio, Copylicious.com)

Prep Tips

1. Set a timer for 30 minutes.

2. Answer the questions in a conversational style (start with a free‐flowing brainstorm, don’t judge).

3. Let your answers sit for a while. Then bold the answers that seem interesting, unexpected, insightful, profound, or just plain feel like you.


Writing Your Bio: 12 Questions(from Writing a Douche‐Free Bio, Copylicious.com)

1. How did you arrive at this business? What path brought you here?

2. What are you known for professionally? What do you have a knack for?

3. Who have you worked with in the past? And what have you done for them?

4. What are you most passionate about professionally? What most excites you about your work and the contribution you can make?

5. What are you passionate about personally? What do you really enjoy? What can’t you stop talking about?


When it becomes clear

that no one else shares

your level of passion,

you are where you belong.

~Placido Domingo

Writing Your Bio: 12 Questions…continued(from Writing a Douche‐Free Bio, Copylicious.com)

6. Where can we find you when you’re not working? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon?

7. How long have you been doing what you do?

8. Where did you grow up and why aren’t you there now?

9. Any nonprofits you love and why? Volunteer activities you’re crazy about?

10. Any awards or medals?

11. What would be impossible for you to give up?

12. How do you want to be remembered?


Writing Effective Press Releases

1. Create your own letterhead/logo

2. Keep it short (1 to 1.5 pages if you can)

3. Include contact info, headline, sub headline

4. Answer who, what, when, where and why

5. Include pullquote(s)

6. Include links

7. Boilerplate ‐ short “About Us” paragraph at the end

8. Consider multimedia services like PitchEngine (track stats, embed multimedia, tag content, drive traffic to your website, Facebook integration, and other benefits)

9. Create a media list with all contact info and preferred format for materials


Web Content Management Systems (CMS)

• Wordpress

• Joomla

• InstantEncore.com

• Benefits include template designs, browser interface (anyone can update), modules and plug‐ins to enhance functionality, either free or inexpensive


Criteria for Websites

• Easy to navigate

• Easy to keep updated

• Easy to add functionality

• Utilizes dynamic content

• Content is easy to share

• Reflects your unique brand

• Provides a central clearinghouse for all online information about you – “a circle of stones”



Web Site

Print/e‐brochures

Direct mail

Web &e‐mail

campaigns

Online fundraising

Public relations

Videos/podcasts/mobile/live

streaming

Social MediaBlogs

FacebookTwitterYouTubeOther

TV/radio

Circleof

Stones

Website Examples

• Michael Christie – music director‐conductorwww.michaelchristieonline.com

• Michael Samis – cellistwww.michaelsamis.com

• Greg Sandow – classical music consultant, writer, teacher, composer, thought leaderwww.gregsandow.com

• Boulder Philharmonicwww.boulderphil.org


Business

Press Kits & Websites - The Power & The Glory