Do you have a Press Kit or a Promotional Pack? Just like an actor or a model, you need to assemble a marketing package specifically tailored for you and your music. This is like a product brochure where you are the widget to be sold. And make no mistake, this package must “SELL” you because in this arena of the music world, you are a product. Your Press Kit must present you in a most favorable light and must instill in the reader or viewer, enough interest to take the next step.
What Should Be Included in My Press Kit? Cover Letter Always make sure to include a letter with your Press Kit, correctly addressed to the right person at the record company. You have already spoken to them or an assistant, and they know this package is coming. Thank them in the letter for their time on the phone, and remind them who you are. Don’t forget to include all of your contact info at the bottom of the letter. Photos First and foremost, current photo’s of you and/or your band. Not old wedding photos or high school yearbook pictures, but professional photographs of you. Sometimes called the headshot, because in the past they were generally just “head shots”, but now it is appropriate to include full body shots in color or black and white. If you have a band, then individual shots of the band members while ideal are not necessary, but a group shot most definitely is. Try and put a nice 8×10 Glossy in there. Spending a few extra dollars on your pictures will go a long way in demonstrating to the record company that you are serious about this venture. If you can, include your contact info on the bottom of the picture. If you cannot, then be sure to put it on the back of the photo. A label will work just fine. Bio Your biography will contain important personal tidbits about you that the record people will want to know. Remember, they don’t know you except for the brief amount of time you spent on the phone with them. And honestly? They will have forgotten all about you by the time you press kit arrives and they open it. So don’t brag, but you can be a little puffy. Don’t forget you are selling yourself! • How old are you? • Where you are located? • Are you married? Have kids? • Level of education. • Any interesting facts about you that might pique the record company’s interest. • Any fascinating accomplishments?
Resume This can be added to the bottom of your Bio page if you do not have a lot to fill out here. Do not fill the page with endless Pizza Places and minor bars. List them once, but try and stick to the most impressive ones. A page full of pizza parlors could be to your detriment. List your top venues.
• Who have you opened for? • What charity benefits have you performed at? • What training you have received with respect to your art? The resume needs to be designed to make you look as experienced and committed to the business of music as it can. But don’t exaggerate or heaven forbid, outright lie. You may get caught up in someone’s due diligence and then after that, everything you say will be suspect. You want to impress them with your credentials, so list everything in a positive light. You did not lose the Seattle Rock Battle of the Bands, you were a finalist.
This Information is Brought to You By “EZ Record Deal”, the ultimate guide to getting a record deal. Visit EZ Record Deal now by going to http://www.EZRecordDeal.com
Critical Note
Let’s reiterate what Andy Cahan said about your contact info. On the CD, and on the CD jacket you should always put your name and contact info. It is quite easy for your demo cd and the press kit to become separated from each other, and you want your demo to be clearly marked with your name and the way to contact you. This way if someone sees a lone CD sitting on the desk, plays it and loves it, they do not have to go far to know who they need to contact.
Top Ten Independent Pop Record Companies
1) Epitaph Epitaph Records was founded in the 1980’s by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz to put together a record label that was artist-friendly. The label helped propel the punk revitalization of the 1990’s with releases from bands such as The Offspring and Rancid. Key artists on the label today are:
Press Clippings and Reviews
If you don’t have any of these, get some. Every local paper pretty much has an Arts and Entertainment section. Find out who the reporters are and call them. Find out exactly what they are looking for, and try and get them to come out to one of your performances. Being printed in the newspaper or in a magazine gives you another level of credibility and is just another thing that sets you apart from the other gazillions of garage bands out there try to get attention.
