6 ways musicians can use an EPK
Electronic press kits (EPKs) offer musicians a simple way to bring their accomplishments on social media, streaming, live, and more together in an attractive package that can be shared with bookers, broadcasters, bloggers, and other music industry decision-makers.
By Melanie Kealey from Bandzoogle
An electronic press kit (EPK) – sometimes also called a digital press kit – is essential for making a strong first impression on promoters, bookers, media, and other music industry professionals.
You can think of it as your interactive artist resume, where anyone interested in your music can find all the information they need in one place. This isn’t just for convenience, though — your EPK is crucial for showcasing your professionalism and commitment as an artist.
You can use your EPK in several different ways, depending on your goals. Whether you’re eyeing press coverage, securing your next gig, or ready to pitch to labels, your press kit serves as a dynamic tool for every stage of your career.
Fortunately, it’s easy to create a stunning EPK with Bandzoogle, and it only takes a few clicks to update it with new music, photos, videos, and other content.
So, how exactly can you use your EPK to help your music career?
1. EPK to book shows
One of the best ways to put your EPK to work is by using it to book gigs and tours. Music venues and festivals love to see them, especially when they need to compare many different acts to book the right talent and build a cohesive lineup.
But EPKs are also useful for private showcases, benefit concerts, and corporate gigs. It all comes down to professionalism and making sure you convey an accurate, organized, and enticing snapshot of who you are as an artist.
2. Media EPK for journalists and reviewers
This one should be pretty obvious — they don’t call it an electronic press kit for nothing!
Hoping for a music reviewer to write about your latest single? Or perhaps your hometown newspaper wants to interview you about your musical journey? They’re all going to want your media assets quickly accessible in your EPK to make their jobs easier.
If you present journalists and bloggers with a current bio, your latest music, your career highlights, links to active social media pages, and complete contact info, you’ll stand out as a professional artist who’s worth paying attention to.
3. EPK for radio curators and playlisters
You can also use your EPK to promote your music to radio curators, podcasts, and playlisters. It’s possible you’ll come across some radio stations that still prefer the old-school method of mailing a physical press kit, but the majority of the time, EPKs are preferred — they’re easier and more efficient all around.
If you’re ever in doubt, check the “submissions” section of the station’s website, or find a relevant contact and shoot them an email to ask about their submission process. We’d recommend starting out by pitching to niche playlists, community radio, college radio, internet radio, and podcasts.
4. EPK to pitch to labels
If you’re ready to take the next step in your music career, your EPK is a great tool for building your team. All kinds of industry folks — including managers, publishers, record label executives, and publicists — will be nothing short of impressed to see a beautiful EPK on your website.
5. EPK for venues to advance shows
As any seasoned artist knows, the success of a live show involves so much more than just the
performance itself. Collaborating with the venue to boost promotion and guarantee a smooth event experience is key.
A detailed EPK for venues will help make your next tour seamless. Be sure to include a concise yet engaging bio, your best videos, high-resolution photos, an accurate stage plot, and a list of the inputs you’ll need.
6. General EPK (online artist portfolio)
A general EPK works perfectly as an online artist portfolio that any promoter, venue, or fan might come across. Use it to host high-quality marketing assets and content that you wouldn’t necessarily post on social media.
The more you flesh it out beyond the basic necessities, the more you’ll showcase your dedication to your music career. Besides high-quality promo photos and your latest music videos, consider incorporating quotes from notable reviews, or perhaps even a testimonial or two. This will not only impress promoters and venues, but it will also allow fans to delve deeper into your artistry.
Having your EPK readily available and up to date isn’t just about preparation; it’s about being proactive. Whether it’s snagging that opening slot or impressing a potential collaborator, craft your press kit with intention. Have a specific goal in mind when sharing your EPK to make it that much more impactful.
Even if you’re still in the early stages and you don’t have a ton of buzz yet, you just never know when an opportunity might arise — and when it does, you’ll be glad you have that EPK link ready to go.
Melanie Kealey is the Director of Communications at music website platform Bandzoogle. In addition to overseeing the Bandzoogle blog, she regularly writes posts with helpful website tips for musicians.
