Whether you are singer-songwriter, in a function act, or in a touring band. A good way to get more gigs and make yourself more accessible to potential clients and promoters is to create a press pack for you or your band.
A press pack (sometimes referred to as a Electronic Press kit, or EPK) is a a collection of information that summarises your band, and provides all the information an agent, promoter or even client would like to see.
As such, it is worth spending some time on, as the time and money invested in a press pack is quickly and easily recompensed through gig offers and music sales.
A press pack is often the first point of contact a band has with important people in the music industry. A poorly constructed one could ruin a band’s career, whereas a professional press pack might open doors and create new opportunities.
A great press pack will:
- Get more gigs
- Look professional
- Attract new promoters
- Further your music career
It’s important to collect all of the information that goes into your press pack in a place that makes sense, and is easily accessible to those who might need it.
In times past, it was a physical document, and while this still might be called for in some instances, a service like dropbox allows you to put all of your different file types into one place, and then send a link to anyone who needs your EPK.
Here are our top tips for what to include in your press pack:
Biography
A band’s biography needs to be concise and to the point. The one included in your EPK should briefly explaining the members of the band, a description of your musical style and what sets you apart from other bands in your genre, as well as any notable gigs you’ve played.
The biography should aim to capture the attention of the reader, so leave out any tenuous details of birth/childhood and perhaps even how the band originated.
The best way to understand what to write in a band’s biography is to put yourself in the position of the reader – what they want to know?
Music
This is the sole reason the press pack exists yet, unfortunately, so many bands fail to put their best songs forward, resulting in many press packs ending up in the digital bin.
If you’re creating an Electronic Press Kit, then including some MP3 files of your latest single, and a couple of other tracks, is definitely worth doing.
When you’re putting together a PDF of your band, include links to your music videos, soundcloud and any other ways someone can hear your music.
Testimonials
Anyone reading a press pack will be a lot more interested if the band has included positive reviews from the musical press, or previous clients.
A single review from a newspaper, magazine or website may incentivise a promoter or record label to actually listen to the music, rather than add it to a pile on their desk.
If you’re a function act, some brilliant testimonials from former clients will be an added incentive to agencies and potential clients.
A successful press pack will include a testimonials section towards the front, highlighting their good reviews.
You can read more on our Last Minute Musicians blog about reviews and testimonials.
Photos
It’s highly recommended that any new band book a photo shoot with a local photographer, as anyone viewing your EPK is much more likely to be impressed by good quality pictures, than rough and grainy shots from someones phone.
Contact information
It happens more often than you may think: a press pack will be sent through with no contact information and the band, regardless of their abilities, will never get a booking. The lesson to be learned – put your name/email address/telephone number on everything!
EPK ingredient list
- High quality photography
- Branding for posters
- MP3s
- PDF with biography and social media links
- Technical specification/ stage plan
