Press Kit Help

[kazamamaster]

Do any of you guys have much experience putting together press kits? What exactly should the content consist of? This is primarily for gigs here in our area, so I'm thinking the content shouldn't be more than a page front & back?

[smogg]

For bar gigs I hand out the following:
1 demo cd
1 band pic
1 introduction list; (band members first names and job etc. at the end it says "set list available on request")
2 biz cards
all in a cheap clear plastic sleeve.

Nothing fancy but it seems to work.

[Bongolation]

I'll watch this thread.

I'm really wondering in this day and age is a press kit is anything but a waste of money compared to a good website.

Back in the old days, my underlings threw out tons of press packs as I told them I didn't want to see them and regarded them as junk mail -- even then.

The only question is whether the recipient throws them out before or after looking at them. Seriously.

People are busy. Clicking a link can get you to everything you need or want to see about a band in a hurry and you don't have a bunch of crap all over your office.

[wnelson]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

I'll watch this thread.

I'm really wondering in this day and age is a press kit is anything but a waste of money compared to a good website.

Back in the old days, my underlings threw out tons of press packs as I told them I didn't want to see them and regarded them as junk mail -- even then.

The only question is whether the recipient throws them out before or after looking at them. Seriously.

People are busy. Clicking a link can get you to everything you need or want to see about a band in a hurry and you don't have a bunch of crap all over your office.

as of now,our myspace IS an electronic presskit till we get the actual website off the ground.

i have had several venues ask for a website,instead of a hard copy.

we had a few put together.....not a single one has been sent out..


for a good presskit you need a GOOD band shot.

a solid recording of a demo..

Bio

a list of any recognition by websites,venues,bands,etc

contact info email/phone number (business cards at ''vista print'' are the cheapest ive found)


one thing i did was i went onto cd baby.com and read a bunch of bio's to help with my writing for my band.....it helps when your looking for ideas......remember to keep only a few paragraphs long....nothing too much,just important info..


good luck!

[Geddyfleaharris]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

I'll watch this thread.

I'm really wondering in this day and age is a press kit is anything but a waste of money compared to a good website.

Back in the old days, my underlings threw out tons of press packs as I told them I didn't want to see them and regarded them as junk mail -- even then.

The only question is whether the recipient throws them out before or after looking at them. Seriously.

People are busy. Clicking a link can get you to everything you need or want to see about a band in a hurry and you don't have a bunch of crap all over your office.

Good post. The 1 main reason why I still don't mind a press kit is if it contains a CD. And this is from a cover band/club band perspective. I like to think a lot of managers will throw a CD in quicker to listen to a band then go searching for a website. Both are very easy I know but not everyone has a computer sitting on their desk.

No right, no wrong but some events we have played at have specifically requested CDs. Not sure why but they would not accept links or files.

[tycobb73]

I prefer a webapage. A bar owner can say he never got or lost a press kit but the only excuse he has for a website is he hasn't had the time. Sometimes they'll look on the website as we're talking.

The most improtant thing for me is a live video WITH LOTS OF PATRONS DANCING. I don't care for demos, too easy to do anything in the studio these days.

[Ubersheist]

Originally Posted by tycobb73

I prefer a webapage. A bar owner can say he never got or lost a press kit but the only excuse he has for a website is he hasn't had the time. Sometimes they'll look on the website as we're talking.

The most improtant thing for me is a live video WITH LOTS OF PATRONS DANCING. I don't care for demos, too easy to do anything in the studio these days.

I almost entirely agree with the above statement. EPK (Electronic Press Kits) are WAY easier to distribute then physical press kits, but physical press kits are much more impressive. Also, if a physical copy sitting on the booker's desk, it'll be a reminder every now and then of who contacted them. Try to get physical kits out to people when you can, especially for the better gigs or ones you want more.

A video of your band playing live is absolutely killer if you can get it. In our press kit, we have a demo CD with a couple of .mov files. (Unfortunately, we don't have a good quality video of us playing live, so there's one crappy one, and one of the videos that we threw together not too long ago.) If you have a video, be sure to put it up on your myspace page and on your website (if you have one), too.

There's a TON of hints online with many, many press kit tutorials. Take some time to look them over.

First off, you do need at least one really good picture of the band - minimum. Make sure the feel of the picture(s) matches the vibe of your band. Don't have a somber, introspective picture if you're an upbeat funk band.

Be quick and to the point. Most people only spend 10 or 20 seconds glancing at the thing, so make sure you get your points across quickly.

With that said, we've only put our press kit together in the last 6 months (the band's not too terribly established yet, but we'll get there). We've not had any outsiders critique it yet. As such, I'd like to offer up our epk for scrutiny. If anyone has some suggestions other then the obvious (like a list of our cover songs - we haven't worked that out entirely yet), please feel free to comment.

http://stereoearth.com/?page_id=75

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by Geddyfleaharris

No right, no wrong but some events we have played at have specifically requested CDs. Not sure why but they would not accept links or files.

They're managing some tweaker bar in rural Arkansas where there's no DSL and no computer, maybe.

It's interesting how many people here don't even use CDs any more.

Sure, it depends on the market.

Here in California's hi-tech triangle, I should imagine anyone in a management position of anything is pretty well hooked-up either at the office or at home or both.

[John Wentzien]

Keep the bio's SHORT & SWEET..
Nobody wants to read a novel..
Trust me on this one!

[JohnMCA72]

Common theme here: One size does not necessarily fit all. The biggest mistake, I think, is assuming that there's only one thing you need to do. Different people respond to different things. You need to accomodate

2nd-biggest mistake: Thinking that if you've done something once, that's it, it's done. Classic example: Web site that never gets updated. Nothing says "We're not a going concern" better than a web site that hasn't been updated in 2 years. Don't just send stuff; follow it up, too.

JM