You might think “Nah, music press kits are so 1997″, but band press kit is still the best way to promote your music to industry people.
It will never ever go out of style.
It’s (still) a great way to introduce yourself and your music to the music industry. If you’ve got one already, well…have it updated. If you don’t, then it’s best to create one now.
In this article, we’ll show you the importance of press kits and how you can make one that would successfully attract the people that really matter.
So, let’s get on with it!
Table of Contents
WHY THE NEED FOR PRESS KITS?
Press kits, which is also known as media kits, is a strategic promotional tool that musicians like you can use to make a good impression with the people of the media and the music industry.
You’ll be needing that good impression when it really matters.
You need it to:
- Introduce yourself to record labels and A&Rs
- Introduce your to journalists, bloggers, radio broadcasters, and other press.
- Introduce yourself to partners and sponsors
- Basically…anybody who can help you in your career!
Press kits help you present yourself in a concise manner. It helps the people of the media and people who might want to work with you to know you better without needing to go through a lot of materials.
In addition to that, it’s a great source of photos and other marketing materials that the media can use if they write a story about you.
Related Articles:
PRESS Kits Are Meant To ImPRESS
Indie Musicians: How To Make A Kick-Ass Press Kit
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WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A PRESS KIT?
In creating a press kit, knowing and deciding on what to include in it is the first hurdle. There are just a lot of things that you can have in it.
What you have to remember is that it needs to not be too long or overstuffed. Less is more.
It has to be short and sweet, with just the right amount of information that would leave people wanting to know more about you and your music.
Here is a list of things we think you have to include in your press kit.
#1. BIO
This is a must in any press kit. Again, it doesn’t have to be a novella.
A one-page bio would do!
In fact, it needs to be concise and conveys the atmosphere and intentions of the music release. Make sure it doesn’t dwell in your personal life too much.
You can write it on your own or, if you’re not feeling it or if you’re not good at it, have a copywriter for you. Just remember to give them sufficient information to reflect how you want to be seen (in other words, your branding).
#2. PHOTOS
This is pertaining to professional photos you have of yourself.
You will surely have a photo shoot for your release, so that’s what you will be using for the press kit. Make sure they make you look great and are high quality.
#3. MUSIC AND VIDEOS
Next are the tracks and videos.
This is a must-include because this will showcase your talent and product which, in this case, is your music.
#4. PRESS COVERAGE
Press coverage is another thing to add in your press kit since it shows that you have an audience.
You have to add those that show you in the best light and have them added as a screenshot, photocopy, or scan.
#5. CONCERTS
List your concerts, the upcoming ones and those in the past.
It would be best to limit it to professional live shows. This will help the media people get more information about you through articles written for your past concerts.
And it would allow them to inform the audience of your future plans.
#6. ACHIEVEMENTS
This is not your bragging section, but it is a way to prove that you have made contributions to the music industry.
That what you’ve been doing is enough to have the media cover you and the people talking about you.
#7. CONTACT INFORMATION
Of course, contact information must never be omitted from press kits.
It’s a way to contact you, and you wouldn’t want them to be looking for it on the internet.
Make it easier for them through including links of your social media accounts, your email address, and your telephone or cell phone number.
#8. THE PEOPLE
Don’t forget to write about the people you worked with, the ones who are part of the project in any way possible.
It’s a way of showing your gratitude and giving them the credit that they deserve.
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POSSIBLE PRESS KITS YOU MIGHT MAKE
CHARLIE SMARTS’ PHYSICAL PRESS KIT
JOE PARRA’s ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT (EPK)
DJ CONNIE’s ONE-PAGE PRESS KIT
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TIPS TO HAVE A GOOD PRESS KIT?
#1. INCLUDE QR CODES
If you are going for the physical press kit, then the best thing to let people listen to your music without needing a player would be to have a QR code.
Most physical press kits always had CDs included in it, this can be a bit of a nuisance to the people you send them to; especially if they don’t have a CD player near them at that moment.
You can take advantage of the fact that almost every person on earth has their own cell phone with them anywhere they may be.
This QR code should lead them to a streaming site like YouTube, SoundCloud, or Spotify where they can listen to your music or watch your video.
Check out our custom CD duplication service
#2. UTILIZE THE HYPERLINK FUNCTION
For EPKs, you get to have something like a QR code with the hyperlink function.
This function allows you to hyperlink a text which, when clicked, relocates you to another link.
You can use this to hyperlink your social media accounts, your website, and your music and videos. It will be easier to visit your accounts, listen to your music and watch your videos.
#3. USE DROPBOX OR YOUTUBE LINKS
If your video files are too heavy, you can use Dropbox or YouTube. This way, you will be able to preserve the quality of your videos.
You can use their links when you are hyperlinking.
#4. MAKE A READABLE LAYOUT
Another aspect that would drive away people is when your layout is chaotic as hell.
If they don’t look readable at all, people wouldn’t want to bother themselves reading it.
#5. EYE-CATCHING TITLE
Press kits also need titles so make sure to have one that’s eye-catching.
And I am, definitely, not just talking about the words used, but on how they are presented visually through font style, size, color, and typography.
Don’t forget to update your press kit!
We’ve reached the end of the article, I hope you learned something from this.
Before I end this, I am reminding you to not forget about updating your press kit.
Everytime you release an album, you have to make sure you have it updated and redesigned to suit your current album.
That’s it. Bye for now.
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD/vinyl and merch company in LA.
