New independent artist submit music to us on a daily bases. When they submit their music though, we always see one sentence or link for your music and no official photo of themselves. Usually they send us a copy of their mixtape cover or new project cover that still has NO PICTURE to associate the mixtape with a face. Links to the video is sometimes better, but we still have no idea where this artist is from, what's his/her back story or where is the best place to contact them if we like the song. So why should we post your music if you hadnt taken the time to make it a bit easier for us?
In a nutshell, that artist should have created an EPK. What is an EPK? It stands for Electronic Press Kit and its what every independent artist needs when they want to get in a new magazine, promote themselves via newpaper, get a proper review from any popular blog (like MicHustlin.com), or even get themselves a paid show! To create an EPK usually takes less than an hour to make for yourself and how you design it is unlimitless!
Some artist use their websites as their EPK because it contains most of the information that you would have in an EPK on the website anyway. All they have to do is share some info with a link back to their website and their done. But lets say you are one of those NEW New artist that doesn't have the money right now to start up a website nor do you know what it takes to have a proper EPK in the first place. What do you need?
WELL.....
1. Get Yourself Some High Quality Professional Photos taken.
Your photo is key when it comes to your EPK. Media outlets and others love to see what the person that they plan to work with looks like. People get psychologically attached to images because they help the brain register if something is good for them or not. If you take a great image and have great music to go along with it, most people will never forget you.
For example, love him or hate him, think about the first time your heard about Lil Yatchy (and if you haven't heard about him yet, then you have been under a rock for the last 3 years). When you first heard this mushed mouth (no offense) sounding dude, you probably was like who is this. Then you saw him and his red hair. Now, every time you see a person like him on the street with red hair, you'd probably associate them with Lil Yatchy.
That's how it works. A great image can stick in a persons head positively or negatively especially when its associate with something that's good or bad. Make sure that your photos associate with something that your audience already likes and you are in the door.
2. Build Your Bios.
Your biography tell the reader more about you and your music career. Keep in mind we said MUSIC CAREER. You don't have to add into your bio what hospital you were born and that you made A-B honor roll when you were in 5th grade, unless that is something that is important to the media outlet that you are sending to. Make sure that you read their reviews of other artist and see what they like to add into their website to get a good sense of what your bio should be like.
You should have two different bios that you should include in your EPK. The Long Bio is the bio that details musical facts about you, your career, your plans and the people you have worked with. Your short bio should condense most of this into just musical facts about you and your career mostly. Your short bio should be something that can be tweeted if needed.
Not sure how to write one on your own? Enlist some help from someone on Fiverr.com that has alot more experience than you and they can do it for as low as $5 or you can call up one of your homies to do it. Somebody that's good at it though.
3. Share Your Best Music.
And what we mean by your best music is whatever music matches closer to the genre you are promoting to. If you have a rappity-rap song as the first song on your list and you are sending that to a blog that mainly promotes mumble rap? Sorry, but you aren't being posted. If you have an EDM Hip-Hop style song as the first track and you send it to a Boom-Bap Rap college radio station? Again, Strike Two. Now, if your first track on the list is more West Coast Gangsta Rap and you send it to an OG podcaster that talks about his gang banging days? DING DING DING!! You just got your first play!
Make sure that you provide a variety of song styles in your EPK and switch them up based on who you are sending the EPK to. Or, just stick to one style and find people that usually review your style of music or want to play your style of music on their radio stations or at shows.
4. Share Your Music Video and Promo Video.
By now (2019), every artist should have at least one music video that they are willing to share with the world. If you don't, then take a peek at our post right here to see how you can get started shooting your first video with some of what you have at home right now!
Your music video of the dopest song that you have is your introduction to your audience. It shows your personality, your image, your brand and most importantly, you in action. Media Outlets and other sources look at your video in the same light. So, give them something to show your true dedication to your craft and they will appreciate posting you or give you a look.
5. Get Some Dope Quotes About Your Music.
Starting off, this may be hard for some of you to get especially if you haven't even done a show yet. But, you can always start by getting quotes from local bands that have played at venues you would like to play in, quotes from smaller blogs, quotes from reputable YouTubers, quotes from podcasters, and quotes from internet radio host to name a few.
The reason that the aforementioned quotes are good is because other people in the music industry watch the tastemakers to see what is new, so they will know about these sources. If these sources are mentioning you to their circle of people, then they will know about you too. And if you use their quotes to others who know about them, then you are more inclined to get that dope feature, interview or showcase.
6. Share Links To Your Social Media.
This is important to two reasons.
- So they can see how big your fan base is.
- So they can see how interactive you are with your fan base.
Don't forget these as these will help you get more looks from media outlets, promoters and booking agents interested in pursuing business with you.
Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, LinkedIn, add all of them to your EPK. Because you never know, as your fan base grows, you may have that one big blog looking to post you when your social media reaches a certain number. Then BOOM! You get the accolades of a lifetime!
7. Give Out Your Contact Info.
This is the most important thing that you can do, but you would be surprised how many people don't add this information because they are afraid to be contacted. How are we supposed to give you a feature or book you for a show, but we have no way of contacting you?
Now you may say, "Cant you just contact me through my Social Media? I'm on there all the time anyway." Yeah, but, its just like when you apply for a job. If the company looking to hire you for $20 per hour is trying to contact you and all you give is your phone number, then what happens if your phone gets cut off or you change your number? They are going on to the next candidate for the job. Its the same with promoters, blogs, magazines and other media outlets. We don't want to chase you down. We want direct contact to you.
So again, for the record, make sure that you provide a WORKING phone number to you and/or your manager and an email to you or your booking agent.
THAT'S YOUR EPK! Go ahead and get started on it right now! And send us a copy when you do. We would love to hear and see what you have come up with. Also, don't be ashamed to ask for help on building it.
Head over to Fiverr.com and get someone to lay it down for you very quick, very easy and at a low price!
