Mind Your Music Business: Why You Need an EPK and What It Should Include
EPK stands for electronic press kit. A press kit or EPK is a pre-packaged set of promo materials that provides information about a band, artist or music release. It can live as a PDF form, a Google Doc, JPG file, or live on a website. Your press kit should contain all of the content a journalist or blogger might need to tell your brand story within their coverage area.
Why do you need an EPK? Maybe your neighborhood dive bar doesn’t need to take a look at your EPK to book you, but big festivals, radio stations, and labels will be asking to see it to determine if you are the type of band they need. It puts everything they need to know into one neat little place so they don’t have to go hunting for it and can say yes to you quickly. Being able to send an EPK to a booking agency, music label, or anyone who needs it will set you apart from the rest and make you look like a pro!
What are the must haves?
High Res Photos
EPK’s are very image heavy, so choosing photos that are high resolution and eye-catching are key. Provide at least one option in landscape orientation, one in portrait, and one square. Make them downloadable with photographer credit.
Band Bio
A bio that contains the history of who you are and where you come from is vital to telling your story. Include anything that sets you apart or makes you special, as well as a description o fyour music by genre or keywords.
If you’re taking the DIY approach and writing the bio yourself, really flex those writing muscles with lots of descriptive words and impressive facts. Try to avoid being funny or cutesy because it makes you look like you don’t take your music seriously. If you need help with your bio read up and watch our video about it here!
Highlights from the recent past, like tours, where you or the band is right now, and details on current projects can get people excited and looking forward to your growth.
Links to your Social media
Hyperlinks that take individuals straight to your socials are a great way to instantly connect with any viewers. Be sure to list them in the order of the most popular and don’t include social media accounts you're not active on. It wouldn’t serve to send someone your Facebook if you’re not active and have a small amount of followers there, when you use your Instagram daily and respond quickly.
Links to Music Stream
Have links to your most popular songs for easy access to your music and better showcase your style. Songs that are an accurate representation of your vibe and that are your best are good ways to make a killer first impression.
Only send links, and avoid attachments or demo material unless asked. Private Soundcloud or Dropbox links are industry standard as well. Spotify and other streaming services are behind a paywall so consider YouTube or other free streaming services when sending to people.
Best Music Video
Include your newest or most popular music video in the best quality. Avoid a live show unless it’s incredibly produced with different angels and great quality sound.
Previous Press
Surprisingly enough, the impressive previous press you’ve had can be a hook, line, and sinker for getting more journalists to write about you. One great quote can be recycled for years, so even if it’s a bit older, throw it there with links to original articles.
Contact Info
Just in case they need it, include the best way for anyone looking to work with you to get in contact with you quickly and easily. Email address, phone number, or carrier pigeon will do!
Quick Tip!
Have literally anyone other than yourself take a look at your EPK before sending it out. An extra set of eyes goes a long way, and this is like the final exam so we don’t want any errors. Have them make sure the info given is right, spelling is correct, and all LINKS WORK!
