As a music artist, you must have heard of an electronic music press kit, EMPK (also called EPK), or even been told to make it. But what’s an EPK?
Well, according to Apple Music for Artists, an Electronic Music Press Kit (EPK) is your professional resume and business card that makes it easy for music industry professionals to access and review your work.
An EPK is a compilation of all the information about you as an artist, condensed into a small format that makes it easy for the reader to get a good idea of what you stand for and what you’re doing.
An EPK can be sent to local promoters to help you get on bigger shows, to press companies for them to write about you, to management to see if they would be interested in working with you, and even to record labels to see if they are interested in signing you. That’s how important it is.
In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about electronic music press kits, highlighting what to include, how and where to create one, and how to use it to promote your music.
What to include in your electronic music press kit
Your electronic music press kit should include the following essential information:
Artist biography: a brief yet detailed overview of your career, musical influences, and what makes your music unique. This is your chance to tell your story and connect with your audience on a personal level. Be sure to highlight your accomplishments and what you hope to achieve in the future.
High-quality photos: professional photos of yourself or your band, preferably in high resolution and in a variety of poses. These photos will be used to promote you to music industry professionals, so make sure they are high-quality and represent you well.
Music: Compile all of your most relevant music in a folder or use links to your music on streaming platforms or your website. To make it easy for those who don’t use Spotify or Apple Music, you can use Google Drive or other free download methods.
Videos: Links to your music videos, live performances, or behind-the-scenes footage. Videos are a great way to showcase your personality and live performance skills, especially when trying to get a show or reaching out to a manager or booking agent. They will always need to see what your show looks like, how you perform, and how you sound live, as well as the growth you’ve experienced as an artist year after year. These videos can be stored on a drive or shared as open YouTube links.
Press coverage: any positive press coverage you’ve received, such as articles, reviews, or interviews. This shows music industry professionals that you are a credible artist with a following.
Social media links: links to your social media pages, so that music industry professionals can easily connect with you. Social media is a great way to stay in touch with your fans and promote your music.
Show stats: Include information about your live performances, such as the number of shows you’ve played, the size of the venues you’ve played, and any notable festivals or events you’ve performed at.
Release stats: Always include and update the number of streams your latest release has received on streaming platforms. This is a clear way to show your position to those interested in working with you.
And always remember to keep your information up-to-date, for your EPK is a living document.
How and where to Create an electronic music press kit
Once you’ve decided what you want to include in your EPK, it’s time to start putting it together. There are a few different ways to do this:
Create your own EPK from scratch: This is the most time-consuming option, but it gives you the most control over the look and feel of your EPK. You can use a variety of tools to create your EPK, such as Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, and Google Drive for file storage (videos and music files).
Use a dedicated EPK creation service. There are a number of services that specialize in helping musicians create EPKs. These services can provide you with templates and tools to make the process easier. Some popular EPK creation services include:
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- Bandzoogle
- MusicSubmit
- Epresskits
Use a website builder: If you already have a website, you can use your website builder to create an EPK. Most website builders offer templates and tools that can help you create a professional-looking EPK.
Once you have created your electronic music press kit (EPK), share it widely to promote yourself to industry insiders. Distribute it to venues, promoters, record labels, journalists, and other relevant contacts. Additionally, showcase it on your website and social media platforms. A well-crafted EPK will leave a lasting impression and enhance your chances of achieving success in your music career.
So what are you waiting for? Create your EPK today and start promoting your music to music industry professionals!
Blog Post by Isaac Odwako (On behalf of Nymy Media)