| It is very important as a musician to heave a well put | | | | or venue that will agree to have you come play |
| together press kit that will help steam roll your path | | | | before they have heard your music and the best |
| to success in the music industry. Press kits are also | | | | way to have them take is a listen is to create a |
| commonly called "media kits" and "artist bio" but they | | | | Demo CD. The Demo CD should consist of 2-4 songs |
| all used for the same thing which is to help with Music | | | | each being the best of your material, this is the time |
| Promotion, Music Publicity, Booking Agents and Band | | | | to really show them your good stuff. Once again add |
| Promotion. There are a lot of bands out there all | | | | your contact info to the label that will be placed on |
| gunning for the same venues, radio play and | | | | this Demo CD which should also include your band |
| magazine interviews which is why you are more likely | | | | name and the list of songs on it. All of this is to help |
| to successfully snag all of these opportunities with | | | | ensure that even if the person or venue you gave |
| the Press kit I'm going to help you build. Lets get | | | | the press kit to looses the kit, there might be a good |
| started with the basics and go from there. | | | | chance that your CD could still be floating around |
| COVER- A first impression is a lasting impression so | | | | along with how to contact you for gigs. Spend some |
| make sure this aspect of your press kit really shines, | | | | time into a nice looking CD Cover and label so that |
| let this be the part that introduces you to the | | | | who ever sees it will know that you are serious |
| venues, radio stations and magazines. Include what | | | | about your music. |
| genre of music you play, your band logo (eye | | | | SONGS LINEUP- Put together a list of your songs |
| catching) and your contact information for the band | | | | that your band might play on a average basis |
| (Myspace, Website, Phone numbers and email). | | | | including the best of any cover songs you might add |
| ARTIST INTRO PAGE (Bio)- Start off by introducing | | | | in with your original work. If you might be wanting to |
| your group followed by the band members (if any), | | | | do anything else such as a light show or some sort |
| follow that with the style of music you play and list | | | | of skit on stage this would be the place to add that |
| any genres you may have. Go into naming some | | | | in as well. |
| quality venues, clubs etc. you have played at in the | | | | SHOWS SHEET- Your bands shows sheet should |
| past and which cities or regions they were in. Also list | | | | include any past gigs you have played and any future |
| important equipment you may have such as amps, | | | | ones that you have already lined up to perform at. |
| PA, Microphones, lights, etc. and any personal you | | | | BAND / MUSIC REVIEWS- To show credibility of |
| may have that runs the production for your shows. | | | | your bands music it is very important to include any |
| Talk about your fan base, include the size of it and | | | | Music Reviews or news paper clippings on your band |
| how you communicate with them. List any street | | | | into your press kit. If you do not have any of those |
| team supporters you may have and where they are | | | | items then you might want to start getting your |
| located. Make sure to differentiate between original | | | | music out to resources that can do a review for you |
| music or cover music depending on which one relates | | | | such as local newspapers and organizations like |
| to your style and also if you're an acoustic or electric | | | | BUSINESS CARDS- Were not saying that you have |
| act. List any promoting techniques you may use to | | | | to present your self as some corporation only aimed |
| help bring people to your shows seeing how this is | | | | at making money but we are saying that you need |
| the only way to make any money at live venues it is | | | | to treat your music as a base line business which |
| a very important part to getting venues to book | | | | means you will need a card to pass around at every |
| your show. List any websites, social networking sites | | | | show you go to. You can include your Independent |
| and or flyers you use for promoting shows and music | | | | acts business card in the mix of your press kit as |
| presence. One way to get started is to attend open | | | | well as always keeping a few on you at all times in |
| mic. nights and leave your press kits with venue | | | | case you run into the right person that will be able to |
| managers after the show in hopes of getting a gig in | | | | help you out. You can make your own business cards |
| the future. | | | | at almost any copy store for a relatively good deal |
| ARTIST PHOTOS- Lets take a look at why it is so | | | | seeing how they are only made up of paper and ink. |
| very important to have good photos before we talk | | | | And almost every word program comes with a few |
| about how to acquire them. Take a look around at | | | | templates you can use at home and have printed on |
| today's communication behaviors and you will quickly | | | | card stock paper or even just very thick regular |
| notice that visual imagery is king in the world's | | | | paper. Make sure to include your bands Name, Phone, |
| communication. You see it no matter where you are | | | | Contact Name, Websites, Email, and any logos you |
| and it would seem that almost everyday new | | | | might have to represent your act. You might want to |
| technology comes out that even furthers how we | | | | make up a small batch of high quality cards to pass |
| view this media on a day to day basis. This should be | | | | around to industry reps and a bigger batch of |
| setting off a little red alarm in you head telling you | | | | average business cards to pass around to the |
| that if this is true then it must be vital the way | | | | common person but it is up to you and your budget |
| people are viewing you which brings us back to your | | | | to determine how and when this is all possible. |
| photos. First impressions are lasting impressions so if | | | | ENVELOPE- Depending on who your planning to |
| you really want to have those in the industry and | | | | receive your press kit you might want to come up |
| amongst the music community to take you seriously | | | | with two very different designs for the envelope it |
| you will want to get some Professional 8x10's taken | | | | will be going into. Your going to want to stand out in |
| of your music group or single act. Be resourceful in | | | | a pile of many envelopes so be sure to use a load |
| about getting your photos, be sure to shop around | | | | color and unique design that captures the attention |
| and maybe ask friends and family if they know of | | | | of the beholder to ensure your press kit wont be |
| anyone that can help you out. There isn't really any | | | | overlooked on the desk or in the file cabinet of a |
| need to spend a fortune here if you take your time | | | | venue owner or booking agent. On the other hand |
| and do some research first. Have fun with this as | | | | you will want to be a bit more settle when it comes |
| well, use your imagination and come up with some | | | | to sending your press kit out to record labels or |
| fun ways to accurately portray your music. | | | | industry reps so try to think of a design that is |
| Booking Information - This is the section of your | | | | appealing to the eye but not to distracting. Just be |
| press kit that contains all of your Booking Information | | | | sure to have both styles ready to go on a moments |
| such as the best way to contact you, preferences in | | | | notice in case you have to send them out or hand |
| types of shows and areas you can travel to perform. | | | | them off to any and everyone that might be able to |
| It is important to have your contact info in multiple | | | | help further your musical career. Thanks you for |
| places through out your Press Kit so go ahead and | | | | following along with us on successfully building your |
| add your phone number and address again in this | | | | press kit and we hope all the best to your near |
| section as well. | | | | future and utilizing these tools. |
| Demo CD You are rarely going to run across a club | | | | |
