Electronic Press Kit Basics (for the D.I.Y. Rock Star)

This post loosely accompanies Gab & Jam, 251. Electronic Press Kit Basics (for the D.I.Y. Rock Star)

(video: https://bit.ly/251epkbasicsvid and podcast: https://bit.ly/251epkbasicspod )

Being able to explain your music, showcase your style and links all in one document is still an effective marketing tool. That’s why in this episode, we share more about what it is, why you would want one, and give you a chance to download a checklist and a template. Here’s a downloadable an EPK template and checklist: 251epkfreebie

#epk #presskit #musicmarketing #diyrockstar #prejippie #bloomingprejippie

1. What is an EPK?

An EPK is an electronic press kit. It is how to convey you and your band’s basic brand information, so that those who want to work with the band have an idea of your style of music and your aesthetic values.

2. Why would I want one?

It is the single most requested item that a potential partner–like a live music venue, blog, or other kinds of media–is going to want to see if they are interested in entering into a business relationship with you. Since, it’s a virtual snapshot of who you are as an artist and what you offer, it’s actually a good exercise for an artist to create one, so that, as D.I.Y. Rock Stars, we can learn to communicate who we are, stylistically, gather our list of accomplishments, and offer any collateral for a perspective partner to use to “sell” us to their audience. (Here’s ours in the form of a website landing page: https://bit.ly/SugarFitlanding )

3. What does an EPK include?

Logistically, a basic press kit includes:

Artist bio
Photos of the artist/band
Links to listen to music
Links to music videos
List/links of press received
List of venues played
Links to social media
Contact info

4. What is the difference between an electronic press kit and a regular press kit?

The difference between an electronic press kit and a regular press kit is that all the elements can be digitized for download, so that they are shared via digital files in an electronic press kit. It is easier to share, since no physical supplies and no mailing is involved. Therefore, once an artist makes the initial investment in photos and in creating the infrastructure of the webpages or files, there are no additional costs to send it, which make it an economical alternative to the more traditional regular press kit (that needs to be snail mailed to recipients).

5. Where should I keep our EPK?

While you CAN have your EPK on your dedicated band Facebook page, but because you want to be sure that the EPK is current, keeping it on Facebook would mean that it would need to be swapped out every time you update it. Whereas, if it is housed as a Google Doc or as a PDF (with editable working links), it is easier to control refreshing it. Our suggestion is to put it on your social media page, but to have the master document on your website. (Relying on social media as your primary storehouse of your band’s persona leaves much to chance, but that’s a topic for NEXT week’s post, so….)

So, for clarification sake, an artist’s EPK can housed on the artist’s website, but needs to also be able to be gathered and shared to be shared as a separate downloadable file, in case someone requests it.

6. Should EPK be “by request only”?

Well, as up and coming D.I.Y. Rock Stars, we say try to have favorable information about your band available when folks are searching, so that it’s one more good thing circulating in the world to help you. And, secondly, we don’t know about you, but having to send them out one at a time sounds like an additional time commitment—up and above ALL the other work that we’re doing—so we like that it’s available to whomever wants to see it WHENEVER they want it.

‘Want to know how to take better band photos? Here are some tips: http://bit.ly/betterbandphotos

Pro Tips:

1. Only include the stats/areas that are pertinent to your band.

For instance, if you do NOT play live, leave out the “Venues Played” section. Or if you have recently started all your social media accounts, only include the ones with the highest stats—if you decide to include that at all. –Once you’ve established a larger following, you can go back and revise this area.

2. Revise as often as necessary

As you build your credentials—for instance, you are included on more playlists, have more reviews, etc.—you can add to your EPK. It is a living and breathing, ever-changing document that showcases your accomplishments, so it will change over time. –In fact, you MIGHT want to make a date with yourself to revise it once a year, just so that you remind yourself to keep it current.

3. Share often!

One benefit of having a landing page EPK is that, when you are networking, it is easy to send someone to a branded link—yet another topic for another day—that takes them directly to what you want them to see. This allows you do create drop cards with a QR Code, so that wherever you are, you can turn folks on to what you do. (add in photo and link)

Are you convinced you need one? Good, here’s a downloadable an EPK template and checklist?? https://bit.ly/251epkfreebie

Did you know that along with putting together our next album, we are working on our first book? Here’s the link, if you want to pre-order: https://bit.ly/prejippiebklanding