In the dynamic world of the music industry, having an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) or Digital Press Kit (DPK) is not just beneficial—it’s essential. A press kit serves as your professional musical resume, offering everything promoters, venue managers, journalists, and potential collaborators need to know about you at a glance. Here’s a detailed look at why every music artist must have a well-crafted EPK and what it should include.
Your press kit is the first point of contact with industry professionals who may have never seen you perform live. Whether you’re reaching out to festival organisers, pitching to record labels, or connecting with other artists for collaborations, a polished press kit communicates you're not just a hobbyist; you're a dedicated artist committed to offering quality and professionalism in every aspect of your career.
By centralising all your information, you ensure that industry stakeholders can quickly access whatever they need without unnecessary back-and-forth communication, thereby speeding up decision-making processes. This can be particularly useful for getting featured in magazines, blogs, and on podcasts, which can significantly boost your profile, as journalists and bloggers are more likely to cover artists who make their jobs easier.
An effective press kit is more than just a biography—it's a ready-made story packet, including all the necessary information that can be used to craft articles, reviews, and interviews. Here’s what you should include to ensure your press kit stands out:
Your biography should be concise yet informative, detailing your musical journey, influences, and any unique attributes that define your sound and persona. This is your chance to tell your story and connect on a personal level with industry professionals. Tailor your bio to highlight achievements and milestones relevant to your career goals. For more info on how to write an engaging bio check out our article on artist bio’s here.
Include a variety of high-resolution, professionally-taken photos. These should feature a mix of headshots, full-body shots, and live performance captures. Ensure these images are current and reflect your present artistic image and brand.
Provide links to streaming platforms like SoundCloud where your music can be heard. Select tracks that best represent your range and style. It's often beneficial to include both live and studio recordings to show versatility. Alongside streaming-only links, you should include private SoundCloud links with the download option enabled. This will help radio DJs, podcast hosts and video creators incorporate your music into their media in order to properly promote you.
If available, include links to music videos or live performance videos. Visuals can be incredibly powerful in conveying your stage presence and artistic identity. Make sure these videos are of high quality and reflect your current artistic stage.
Showcase any positive media coverage you’ve received. This could include album reviews, concert reviews, interviews, or features. Testimonials from industry professionals, such as other musicians, producers, or event organisers, can also add credibility and boost social proof.
List notable performances, especially those at recognized venues or significant events. Include any upcoming shows as well. This section demonstrates your experience and appeal to live audiences, an important factor for booking agents and venue managers.
Include any press releases that have been issued for new music releases, major concerts, or other significant events. These documents should be well-written and provide a clear narrative of your activities and milestones. We will likely write an article about those in the future as well so stay tuned for that one!
Clearly list your contact information, or that of your manager or booking agent. Make it easy for people to reach out to you, ideally via email.
Direct links to your social media profiles and streaming platforms are crucial. They provide a gateway for industry professionals to see your audience engagement and how your music is being received by the public.
For live performance bookings, including a technical rider and stage plot can significantly streamline the booking process. This information helps promoters/venues understand your technical and setup requirements.
A digital press kit should be easy to navigate and easy to share with a simple link, whether through email, social media, or embedded on your personal website. Most artists either use Dropbox or DISCO for their electronic press kit. Google Drive also works but check and test with multiple people to make sure anyone can access without having to request permission.
A well-structured press kit helps stakeholders find what they are looking for. We recommend you create folders for all 10 points we mentioned above and where needed include sub-folders for different themes or media.
For example, within the pictures folder you can have a folder for live performances, recording sessions and photoshoots. Within the photoshoots folder you can have different folders for different shoots, same for performances at different venues and recording sessions in different studios or different album recordings.
Your Digital Press Kit is a key marketing tool that can make the difference between being noticed or overlooked. It not only positions you as a professional but also greatly enhances your ability to communicate your artistic identity and connect with people who can help elevate your career. By ensuring it is comprehensive, up-to-date, and professionally presented, you maximise your chances of making meaningful connections in the music industry.
Remember, your DPK is an extension of your artistic brand—make it count!
