The electronic press kit is a digital version of the promo package: it has the function to highlight you from the crowd. Just as the latter, the EPK is an informative and professional multi-page virtual document that you present to the potential client. In more precise terms, musicians use it as a general online résumé that contains their career to date. The electronic press kit is helpful when attempting to book a show, creating more media presence when a new release is coming, and interacting with music bloggers and journalists.
Electronic Press Kit: the Basics
Just as a starting point, and following the comparison between an EPK and a promo pack, remember that the whole point of doing this bit of music marketing is to help you promote and circulate your music. For this reason, the EPK must always be located, first and foremost, on your website. We strongly recommend that the EPK, titled as such, is one of the main tabs.
The First Components of an Electronic Press Kit
The answer to the question “What should my EPK include?” is simple: everything the press needs to know about you. As with the promo package, you should incorporate a bionote, promotional pictures, press clippings, achievements (like awards), social media links, and contact information. The easier the companies you want to persuade get your information, the more convenient for everyone. In this entry we’ll explain the first two of the eight main components of the EPK.
In addition, and following Ben Rossman’s advice, besides your productions you should tell the story behind them; i. e. your branding. Your story or branding should be consistent in every piece of the EPK—from your images to the bionote. Now, on to the components themselves.
The Bionote
Constitute a short bio by including the basics: who are you, what’s your genre, and your most recent accomplishments. It’s similar to an elevator pitch: you must tell what the other needs to know in less than 15 seconds.
However, in contrast to the (traditional) promo package, the EPK allows you more space since it’s a digital version. For this reason, you can additionally include two extended bionotes: a medium and a large one. Whoever is interested in those will click on them. As a plus, you can even add an option to download them as files so that the user can keep them in their own device.
The Promotional Photos
Your electronic promotion kit should include a selection of downloadable pictures. It’s all the better if they’re professional. (And, if they are, make sure to credit the artist that took them!) If you’re not there yet, do not worry: but please make sure that they’re in a sizing-friendly format and that the resolution is good enough for using them.
Keep in mind that the press interested in your profile will want to obtain them in the easiest manner. For this reason, ensure that you have a variety of them (vertical and horizontal options, to begin with). Moreover, include a square image or a portrait image that can easily be cropped. These are particularly functional for social feeds.
In Electronic Press Kit (EPK) – Part II you will find the rest of the components, so be sure to check it out!
