How
to Make a Press Kit for your Band
Whether
you're ready to promote your band, book shows, or
get signed,
you're going to
need to have a presskit ready to go. Every band's
press kit has three things you must include:
1. Cover Letter
Describe
your unique position in a paragraph or two. Use
the cover letter like a conversation.
If you
were in the elevator with the A&R Rep, what would you
say to get them interested in just a few seconds. More
than a few paragraphs and you're uniqueness is too
hard to describe, which means it's too hard for the
A&R Rep to promote.
2. Demo CD
Put your best songs first, or better yet put a sticky
note saying which two tracks to listen to first
(and no, all of your songs aren't equally great).
If you
don't know, take a poll and have other people
decide for you.
3. Band Photo
No, you don't need a press shoot. Just a good picture
(8x10 black/white or color) that shows every person
in the band, with the lead singer in front. Not too
far away - the Rep needs to see your faces. And not
too close - from the knees up is usually a good rule
of thumb. And nothing out of sync. Don't take a picture
at a sports bar just because it looks cool when you're
a country-western band.
See Also:
All of the information presented is based upon input
and feedback from our contacts and resources in the
music industry, including labels, agents, A&R representatives,
screeners, managers, signed bands, indie bands, etc.
If you would like to contribute or make a suggestion
for additional topics, contact us at monster.feedback@bandmonster.com
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