INDIE ARTIST INSIDER #012
Electronic Press Kit

Welcome to a brand new feature here at SongCast, the Indie Artist Insider.  Every week, we will post a new video containing tips, tricks, and sound advice on how to succeed in the music business.  We will start off targeting those who are new to the music scene and progress into topics for the most seasoned and veteran musicians. 

Welcome to a brand new feature here at SongCast, the Indie Artist Insider.  Every Monday, we will post a new video containing tips, tricks, and sound advice on how to succeed in the music business.  We will start off targeting those who are new to the music scene and progress into topics for the most seasoned and veteran musicians

Hello and welcome to another edition of the Indie Artist Insider, in this episode, we will talk about your electronic press kit.

An EPK, or electronic press kit, is essential if you are looking to book shows, looking for a new manager or agent, or looking to attract any number of professionals into your musical world.
An EPK will be used by venues and media to gain promotional materials and media that may not be available on your website or social media.  If you have a huge social media following, you tube views, and website traffic, promote on your EPK.  If you have played to very large audiences, promote that too, as well as the biggest accomplishments of your band.  Do not let this get out of hand though, only a few biggies are necessary.  Remember quality, not quantity.

An EPK should basically be a condensed a media version of your website, containing streamlined information about what you and your music is all about.  Front and center should be links to your recorded music and any live or studio videos, as well as full size, high resolution promotional photographs.   If your band has a distinct logo that is used in addition to promo photos, make that available as well.  

Your EPK should also contain a bio and discography, a stage plot, links to your website and social media, press clips, testimonials, and contact information for inquiries such as booking, interviews, and other correspondence.

A one sheet, or an even more condensed version of your EPK can also be included, for someone who only needs an extremely abbreviated version.

Ideally, your EPK should be available online as a webpage AND as a PDF document.  The webpage can be a page on your website.  Make it streamlined, with a great photograph of the band and easy to find, succinct, and easy to navigate menus, going to other parts of the EPK.  On your EPK webpage should be a link to download the PDF version, as well as the one sheet.  Embedded videos and links to audio streams are vital.

Use your EPK as a way to book gigs, impress promoters, get media coverage, and for all of your bands marketing and promotional needs.  A new release should be addressed in a press release, with a link to the attached EPK accompanying the press release.  

When you design your Electronic Press Kit, put yourself in the shoes or a promoter, a DJ, a music writer – The people who are very busy and do not have time to waste getting the information they need.  Look at your EPK from their eyes and streamline everything to make their quest for information quick, satisfying, and successful.  Ask others to review and give their thoughts on your EPK, before making it live.  Looks at other band’s EPKs and compare them to yours.  Take constructive criticism well and use it to improve.  Look online and look for things to inspire you, things you think work well and presentations you find appealing.  Your EPK is just as important, if not more-so, than your official website, as the EPK is made primarily for industry professionals.

I’m Joe Kleon for the SongCast Indie Artist Insider.

If you have any topics you would like to see covered on the Indie Artist Insider, please email host Joe Kleon at promotions@songcastmusic.com