Learn how to make an EPK that will get you noticed by music industry professionals. This complete guide outlines the essential elements to add in an EPK for musicians.
Competition in the music industry is fierce. Getting the attention of record labels, agents, promoters, venues, and various media outlets can be virtually impossible if you don’t approach it correctly.
This guide offers insider knowledge on creating a successful electronic press kit for artists in the music industry.
What is an EPK in Music?
What does EPK stand for? An EPK or electronic press kit is a professional music resume for musicians, artists, bands, and DJs. It’s your online media and marketing portfolio, designed to provide simple access to your essential information.
An EPK also showcases your talents to the music industry. It helps promoters, booking agents, talent buyers, music supervisors, music journalists, record labels, fans, and other industry professionals learn more about you and your music.
This essential tool will help you make the best first impression on the music industry. That’s why creating the perfect EPK is vital to your success as an artist in this competitive environment!
How to Make an EPK for Musicians
An EPK should feature your artist bio, music, promotional photos, tour dates, high-quality videos, relevant media, achievements, links to your social media, and contact details. A successful EPK represents you as an artist, your brand, and your musical identity.
Websites such as Sonicbids, ReverbNation, Adobe Spark, and Wix offer EPK templates and tools to create press kits and hosted landing pages. They’re a great option if you want to make an EPK that looks high-quality and professional. However, it’s your preference on the format and type of hosting you prefer.
When creating an EPK for your brand, consider these tips:
Consider These Best Practices Before You Create an EPK
Promoters and talent buyers review hundreds of potential acts every day. It’s essential to present yourself clearly and professionally. Before you create your press kit, consider these best practices:
- Keep your EPK simple and to the point. Provide all your relevant information in a way that’s scannable and easy to read. Also, keep your EPK concise and relevant.
- Include your best material and important details. Put your best foot forward, and make a great first impression.
- Always keep your EPK up to date. Updating and organizing your press kit should only take a few moments.
- Make sure your EPK represents your brand accurately. Don’t overhype, exaggerate, lie, or include irrelevant information.
- Create an EPK that stands out from the competition. Make it eye-catching and unique without going overboard.
- Be cautious of the file size when attaching it to emails. Large digital files may get flagged, sent to the Spam folder, or rejected by the recipient. Instead, link to your content on the web such as SoundCloud and YouTube.
- Avoid sending .zip files or other compressed file attachments with your email. These files will not get opened.
- Have a printed version of your EPK on hand at events. You may run into industry professionals interested in knowing more about you.
These tips are not hard rules. They’re merely suggestions to ensure your press kit is successful.
What to Include in Your EPK?
Showcase your strongest assets to the music industry. Here are the essential elements to include in your Electronic Press Kit:
1. Links to Your Music
Your music is one of the most crucial elements in your EPK. Provide links to stream your best songs instead of music files. This way, people can listen to your music without having to download it first.
Also, people may only play the first few songs featured, so make sure your three best tracks are at the top of the list! Not sure how to rank your music? Turn to fan feedback, purchase history, production quality, or stream counts to help you decide.
Also, consider linking to quality mixes. Have you opened up for a prominent artist or played at a notable venue or festival? Having a great mix that demonstrates your skills and ability to play for big crowds will boost your credibility.
2. Artist Biography
Your artist biography is another fundamental part of the press kit. This section showcases your music career. Include brief details of previous or upcoming releases, milestone achievements, collaborations, recent shows at notable venues, compelling quotes, and any significant endorsements.
Artist bios should be well-written, clear, and concise. Provide enough detail to give insight and sell your great story, without making it tiresome to read. Avoid telling your entire musical journey.
In addition, keep your bio relevant and up-to-date. Many media outlets simply copy the bio directly for their promotional material.
Lastly, consider preparing different length versions of your bio for various media purposes. Keep a short version and a more extended version.
3. Professional Photos and Album Artwork
Downloadable hi-res photos are a must for any press kit. Consider having hi-res (300 dpi) and lo-res (72 dpi) versions 600 pixels wide at a minimum.
Also, include a variety of vertical and horizontal hi-resolution images. Give media outlets, publicists, and promoters options to use photos for varying layouts. For example, in a press release, flyer, blog, web page, etc.
Think about the vibe and style you want to convey. Consider shots of live shows, music studio, daily living, your fashion, etc.
Also, high-resolution press shots have large file sizes. Upload them to Dropbox or another cloud service with shareable links instead of attaching large files to emails.
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4. Logos and Branding Assets
Provide your logo or branding material if you have any. Also, include a scalable vector image of your logo for promoters and venues. They will likely use these assets on promotional materials.
5. High-Quality Music Videos
Videos that capture your artistic personality or demonstrate your live performances will likely help you. Music and promotional videos also provide media content for writers to share with their readers.
Moreover, media outlets are more likely to feature an artist with impressive videos that accompany their music. Similarly, promoters are more likely to book you for a gig if you have a great live video showing off your chops and stage presence.
6. Embedded Links to Your Assets
Provide clear links to your online presence. Include a direct link to your website, social media, music, videos, merch store, and other important details about your brand. Also, it’s crucial to keep these assets updated regularly!
Moreover, make your links easily identifiable. Avoid vague terms like “click here” or “download.” Instead, use recognizable names like Facebook, SoundCloud, Official Website, Listen to my Music, etc.
7. Press and Testimonials
Have you been featured or interviewed on music websites or magazines? Include short quotes, relevant mentions, and links to press coverage.
Also, add favorable reviews or testimonials from respected industry professionals. A few key points of interest will help build your profile, credibility, and presentation.
8. Tour Dates and Show Information
Do you have upcoming events or tour dates? Listing forthcoming gigs, tours, or shows helps booking agents work around your current schedule. Also, anyone who mentions you on the radio, in a blog post, or podcast can help promote those gig dates.
Moreover, ensure you’re providing an updated calendar with relevant show information. You never know who may come to your next show and change your music career!
9. Tech Rider
Help booking agents and venues accommodate your needs on stage by listing technical requirements. For example, list things like how many plugs, mics, speakers, the stage plot, etc. Also, make this downloadable so venues can have it handy when needed.
10. Contact Details
Finally, don’t forget to provide your contact information. Make it easy for people to reach you. Provide your email, contact number, etc. Also, include your management team’s contact details, if applicable.
If you have an artist website, consider linking to a contact form. Here, people can ask questions, submit inquiries, etc.
How to Host and Share Your EPK
Once you’ve completed your EPK, make it readily available. Hosting and distributing your electronic press kit is essential. It’s critical to get your artist information in the hands of the right people in the music industry. You don’t want to miss a career-changing opportunity!
Here are six ways to share your press kit:
1. Your Official Artist Website
If you have an official website, make your EPK downloadable or accessible from the site. Create a dedicated landing page or provide a link to your press kit on the homepage. Also, ensure the link is easy to find and visible to visitors!
2. Cloud Storage and File-Sharing Services
Consider hosting your EPK on a file sharing service like Dropbox or Google Drive. These services make it easy to upload, store, and organize large files. It’s also easier to share a direct downloadable link or URL that’s mobile-friendly than a large .zip file.
3. Online Music Platforms and Promotional Services
Music platforms like ReverbNation and Sonicbids offer EPK templates, file hosting, data tracking, career management, marketing tools, and more.
For example, Sonicbids makes consolidating your information and submitting it to promoters easy. Their templates provide high-quality media, an organized tour calendar, a vanity URL to share with your network, and more. They also have a database of over 20,000 promoters and booking agents, making gig opportunities endless.
5. Social Media Platforms
Include a sharable link to your EPK on all your social media platforms. Make it easy for fans and industry professionals to discover your press kit. You never know who may visit your social pages!
6. Print a Copy to Share at Public Events
Consider having a printed version of your press kit on hand where you may run into industry professionals. If that’s inconvenient, include a link to your electronic press kit on your business card.
Conclusion
An EPK will be one of the best networking tools you’ll have at your disposal in the music industry. We hope this guide gives you everything needed to create the perfect press kit.
Now, it’s on you to make it a reality. Letting the world know you and your unique sound will increase the chances of getting discovered!