An electronic media/press kit, or EPK, is just that--a press kit for the digital age. Like its paper counterpart an electronic press kit includes a collection of promotional materials, such as business information and photographs, for distribution to the press. Unlike paper, however, an electronic press kit can also include access to websites, video and other dynamic content.

Your EPK should include:

• Information about what your business does
• Bios of the principal players
• Some history as a background to that information
• Testimonials & Awards
• Frequently asked questions
• Full contact details, including links to your website, video and social network pages
• Photographs and logos, with access to hi-resolution versions to be used in print

This should be written in the form of a press release.

Think of it this way: a popular newspaper or magazine wants to write a full-page article about you and your business. You have to make sure they have exactly what they need to make the job as easy for them as possible. You do not want them to have to chase you down for additional information or files.

Video is becoming increasingly popular in EPKs and goes a long way in selling a business to journalists and potential customers. If you choose to include one it absolutely must look professional, with good lighting and sound quality. Additionally, as fascinating as your business is, and as much as it does warrant a full-length documentary, you have less than a minute to get your message across in an EPK video, so keep it short and compelling.

Delivery:
Two of the most effective ways of presenting an EPK are as a series of files in a USB flash drive, or in a single PDF document with links to downloadable content. With the price of memory perpetually decreasing it's definitely worth including the flash drive as a means of delivery.

A single PDF document would include the press release; a page of FAQs (possibly in the form of an interview with the business owner); links to your website, video and any related social networks; and a selection of images with a link to download hi-resolution versions. (It's bad form to email hi-resolution images to people unless they specifically ask for them, so have them available to download from your website instead.)

A USB flash drive would include the PDF above, a folder of high-resolution photographs, a hi-resolution logo and a video if you've made one. You could also include additional helpful files, such as a copy of a menu, or a brochure.

PDFs are very good to use when you want to email your EPK and/or include a downloadable version on your website, which you certainly should do. USB drives are an excellent thing to bring to business conferences, networking events and so on. They can also be mailed or hand delivered to members of the press with a persuasive note.

I encourage you to maximize your impact and make good use of both of these means of delivery.

Tips:
Find a 4GB USB Flash Drive at Fry's Electronics for $5
Perform an online search for "custom flash drives" and add your own logo