{"id":102102,"date":"2012-08-13T16:49:59","date_gmt":"2012-08-13T23:49:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heartifb.com\/?p=102102"},"modified":"2024-02-14T23:09:16","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T07:09:16","slug":"bigger-better-bolder-build-your-media-kit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heartifb.com\/bigger-better-bolder-build-your-media-kit\/","title":{"rendered":"Bigger, Better, Bolder: Build Your Media Kit"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the next in a very exciting series we\u2019re bringing to you on IFB in anticipation of the upcoming #IFBcon. Each day, we\u2019ll have a different post designed to help your blog become \u2013 you guessed it \u2013 bigger, better and bolder<\/strong>!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Get<\/p>\n

Putting together a media kit for your blog can sound like quite a daunting task. Media… kit? What is that? What's in it? Unless you've worked in media, marketing, PR or publishing, this might be a relatively unfamiliar term. Confession? I hadn't really thought that bloggers needed a media kit until I witnessed Ari Goldberg of StyleCaster<\/a> trumpet their importance at IFBcon in September of 2011 (and Ashe wrote an amazing follow-up post<\/a>).<\/p>\n

I will sheepishly admit that I do not (yet<\/em>) have a media kit pulled together for my blog, despite how much I could probably benefit from having one. For that reason, I had to turn to IFB's marketing professional-in-residence, Amanda, as well as my dear friend, Google.com. Not only did I learn how important a media kit really is, but how not-that-painful it is to create one.<\/p>\n

Why should you create a media kit for your blog?<\/h4>\n

On the most superficial level, it's good to have a media kit because it makes you and your blog look credible. It's an instant indication that you take your blog seriously and as a professional endeavor (even if it's a hobby or a side-project). A media kit is helpful to send (or make available) to anyone who may be interested in partnering with you, whether it be a publication looking for contributors, an advertising partner, or a brand looking to involve you with a promotional project or giveaway.<\/p>\n

If one of these entities is reaching out to you, you can infer that they already like your aesthetic, your content and have noticed that you have great engagement with your audience. They think you're a potential match – which is great! Next, they're usually going to ask for some information and statistics that aren't readily visible on your site. Instead of creating a new email response that lists these stats each time you reply, take the time to create a media kit you can attach (that can be updated as needed).<\/p>\n

What goes into a blogger's media kit?<\/h4>\n

A media kit is all about selling yourself, and putting some hard facts out there that solidify why (or unfortunately, why not) you would be a great match for this brand, retailer or publication. (Better to put all the information out there, so neither you nor the brand waste your time, money and effort on a partnership that doesn't make sense!) There's some give-and-take on what should be included in a blogger's media kit, but after consulting a few sources like BlogHer, 5 Minutes For Mom<\/a>, here are a few key components I deciphered most bloggers should have:<\/p>\n