At Quite Great we receive information from artists every week and one thing that quickly becomes apparent is how much easier life is when an artist has a decent EPK ready to go. Whether you are contacting journalists, radio producers, promoters or festival bookers, having everything in one place can make a real difference.
EPK stands for Electronic Press Kit and although it sounds technical, it is really just a collection of information about you and your music. Think of it as your shop window. If somebody likes what they hear, they will want to know more, and an EPK helps answer those questions quickly.
The first thing you need is a biography. It doesn’t have to be pages long and in many cases shorter is better. Tell people who you are, where you are from and what makes your music worth paying attention to. Try not to make it sound like a school essay. People want a story, not a list of facts.
Images are equally important. We always encourage artists to invest in some decent photography. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune but blurry photos and random mobile phone pictures rarely help when media outlets are looking for something to publish. If a journalist decides to feature you, having quality images available immediately can save a lot of back and forth.
Naturally your music needs to be included. Make sure there are clear links to your latest release along with any videos if you have them. We often find that artists hide their music under several layers of links when in reality it should be one of the first things people see.
If you have received radio support, reviews, interviews or notable achievements then include those as well. You do not need twenty pages of press clippings. A few strong examples are usually enough to show that your project is gaining momentum.
One mistake we regularly see is artists forgetting to update their EPK. New single released? Add it. New photoshoot? Upload the images. Major support slot? Include it. An EPK should grow alongside your career and reflect where you are now rather than where you were two years ago.
Contact information is another area people overlook. It sounds obvious but make sure your email address, website and social media links are easy to find. If somebody wants to reach you after hearing your music, do not make them work for it.
One thing we have learnt over the years is that artists often make things harder than they need to be. A simple EPK with quality images, good music and clear information will usually outperform a complicated one full of unnecessary detail. Keep it straightforward, keep it current and make it easy for people to find what they need. Sometimes that is all it takes to help open the next door.
