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Building an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) for Your Band

By Tom Norton

April 8th, 2023

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Photo by Alphabag on Unsplash

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for a band's success. One important tool for promoting your music and getting noticed by industry professionals is an electronic press kit (EPK). An EPK is a collection of digital assets that showcases your band's music, history, and achievements, and it's designed to provide easy access to important information for press, booking agents, and other industry professionals.

As an artist myself, I have my own EPK that I use to promote my music and connect with industry professionals. I've found that having an EPK has helped me land some great opportunities. In this article, I'll share five key elements that every artist should include in their EPK.

What to put in your EPK

Here are five key elements to include in your band's EPK:

1. Music Samples

The most important part of any EPK is the music. Include a selection of your band's best tracks, along with short descriptions of each song. Make sure to choose songs that best represent your band's style and sound. You can also include links to music videos, live performances, or recordings of radio appearances.

2. Biography and Press Clippings

Your band's biography should provide an overview of your musical history, influences, and achievements. Include details about any major performances or awards, and be sure to highlight any press coverage you've received. Press clippings can include reviews of your music, interviews with band members, and feature articles in local or national publications. Remember to keep your bio and press clippings up-to-date, and consider hiring a professional writer to help you craft a compelling story that will capture the attention of industry professionals.

3. High-Quality Photos and Videos

In addition to music and written content, your EPK should also include high-quality photos and videos of your band. These can include professional photos of band members, live performance footage, or music videos. Make sure all media assets are of high quality and clearly showcase your band's style and personality. Consider investing in a professional photo or video shoot to ensure that your visuals are top-notch.

4. Contact Information

Make it easy for industry professionals to get in touch with your band by including clear and up-to-date contact information in your EPK. This should include email addresses, phone numbers, and social media handles. Consider creating a separate email address specifically for EPK inquiries, and make sure to respond promptly to any requests for more information.

5. Tour Dates and Upcoming Shows

Finally, be sure to include a list of upcoming tour dates and shows in your EPK. This will help industry professionals understand your band's schedule and availability, and it can also help you book new gigs. Include information about past shows as well, highlighting any notable performances or venues you've played.

Building your EPK

When it comes to building an electronic press kit (EPK) for your band, there are a variety of services available that can help you create a professional-looking and effective EPK. Two of the most popular services for building EPKs are Bandzoogle and ReverbNation. Here's a comparison of these two services, as well as a few other options:

Bandzoogle

Bandzoogle is a website builder designed specifically for musicians. In addition to creating an EPK, you can also use Bandzoogle to create a custom band website, sell music and merchandise, and connect with fans. Bandzoogle offers a variety of templates to choose from, and the drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to customize your EPK. Some of the features of Bandzoogle's EPK builder include:

Bandzoogle's pricing starts at $8.29/month for the basic plan, which includes unlimited pages, hosting, and custom domain name.

ReverbNation

ReverbNation is another popular platform for musicians, offering a variety of tools for promoting and selling your music. In addition to creating an EPK, you can use ReverbNation to distribute your music, book shows, and connect with fans. ReverbNation's EPK builder offers the following features:

ReverbNation offers both free and paid plans, with the paid plans starting at $19.95/month for the Pro plan, which includes additional promotional tools and distribution options.

Wix/Squarespace

Alternatively, if all else fails, a regular website builder can be used to create your EPK. Wix is a popular website builder that can be used to create an EPK as well as a custom band website. With Wix, you can choose from a variety of templates and customize your EPK with a drag-and-drop interface. Some of the features of Wix's EPK builder include:

Wix offers a free plan as well as a variety of paid plans starting at $14/month.

Overall, each of these services offers a variety of tools for creating a professional-looking and effective EPK. When choosing a platform, consider the features that are most important to you, as well as the pricing and ease of use.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, an electronic press kit is an essential tool for any band looking to promote their music and reach a wider audience. By including key elements like music samples, a compelling biography, high-quality photos and videos, contact information, and tour dates, your EPK can help you stand out in a crowded music industry and make meaningful connections with industry professionals. There are many tools out there to build your EPK, and each of these services offers a variety of features to help you create a professional-looking and effective EPK, although the best aren't free.

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Written by me, Tom Norton. I live and work as a Frontend Developer & Designer in Switzerland designing and building beautiful accessible websites & mobile apps.

Are you looking for someone to design / build (or both!) your next project? Please reach out and I'd be happy to talk through your requirements with you.