Day 47: EPK Essentials: Making Your Press Kit Stand Out
Welcome to Day 47! Today, we’ll focus on creating an effective Electronic Press Kit (EPK). A well-crafted EPK makes a strong first impression and provides supervisors, libraries, and clients with all the essential information they need to understand your music, your brand, and your professional experience.
Lesson
An EPK is like a resume for your music; it should showcase your work, provide important context, and make it easy for licensing professionals to consider your music for their projects. A strong EPK contains essential details about your music, your background, and your achievements, all presented in a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate format.
Here are the key elements to include in your EPK:
Professional Bio
Your bio should briefly introduce who you are, highlighting your background, influences, and any achievements or placements relevant to sync licensing. Keep it concise—two to three paragraphs are ideal. Focus on aspects of your career that give credibility, such as notable placements, collaborations, or unique musical qualities.
Music Tracks
Choose a few representative tracks that showcase your range and suitability for sync. Include links to streaming platforms or private links (e.g., SoundCloud, Dropbox) where each track can be easily accessed and downloaded. Ensure these tracks are tagged with accurate metadata and are labeled by mood, genre, and potential uses.
Each track should be accompanied by a brief description (one or two sentences) that highlights its unique qualities, potential uses, and emotional impact. For example, you might describe a track as “a soulful, acoustic ballad perfect for romantic or reflective scenes.”
High-Quality Images
Include a selection of professional images that reflect your brand and style. This can include headshots, live performance photos, and album artwork. Visuals help supervisors connect with your music on an emotional level, so make sure the images align with your musical themes and branding.
Track Record and Notable Placements
List any relevant placements, awards, or accomplishments. If you’ve had previous sync placements, briefly describe them with details on the type of project, network, or platform (e.g., “Featured on NBC’s The Voice” or “Licensed for a Nike ad campaign”). These credentials lend credibility and demonstrate your experience in sync licensing.
Social Media and Website Links
Provide links to your social media profiles and official website. Music supervisors often like to learn more about an artist’s reach, engagement, and presence, as this can add value to the pitch. Ensure these links are updated and active.
Contact Information
Make it easy for licensing professionals to reach you by providing your direct contact information, ideally including an email address and phone number. If you work with a manager, label, or agency, include their contact information as well. This section should be clearly visible, typically at the end of the EPK.
Press Coverage or Testimonials (Optional)
If you’ve received notable press or testimonials from credible sources, consider including a brief section with a couple of highlights. Quotes from past collaborators, music supervisors, or press reviews add validation and can help set you apart from other submissions.
EPK Formats
An EPK can be presented in various formats, such as a PDF document or a dedicated page on your website. PDF EPKs are versatile and easy to attach in emails, while an online EPK can be more interactive and easy to update.
For a PDF, ensure the layout is clean, professional, and consistent with your branding. Use high-resolution images, clear fonts, and organized sections. For a website-based EPK, create a dedicated page with a similar layout and easy navigation.
Resources to Explore
To get ideas and see examples, check out these resources:
Assignment
Welcome to Day 47! Today, we’ll focus on creating an effective Electronic Press Kit (EPK). A well-crafted EPK makes a strong first impression and provides supervisors, libraries, and clients with all the essential information they need to understand your music, your brand, and your professional experience.
Lesson
An EPK is like a resume for your music; it should showcase your work, provide important context, and make it easy for licensing professionals to consider your music for their projects. A strong EPK contains essential details about your music, your background, and your achievements, all presented in a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate format.
Here are the key elements to include in your EPK:
Professional Bio
Your bio should briefly introduce who you are, highlighting your background, influences, and any achievements or placements relevant to sync licensing. Keep it concise—two to three paragraphs are ideal. Focus on aspects of your career that give credibility, such as notable placements, collaborations, or unique musical qualities.
Music Tracks
Choose a few representative tracks that showcase your range and suitability for sync. Include links to streaming platforms or private links (e.g., SoundCloud, Dropbox) where each track can be easily accessed and downloaded. Ensure these tracks are tagged with accurate metadata and are labeled by mood, genre, and potential uses.
Each track should be accompanied by a brief description (one or two sentences) that highlights its unique qualities, potential uses, and emotional impact. For example, you might describe a track as “a soulful, acoustic ballad perfect for romantic or reflective scenes.”
High-Quality Images
Include a selection of professional images that reflect your brand and style. This can include headshots, live performance photos, and album artwork. Visuals help supervisors connect with your music on an emotional level, so make sure the images align with your musical themes and branding.
Track Record and Notable Placements
List any relevant placements, awards, or accomplishments. If you’ve had previous sync placements, briefly describe them with details on the type of project, network, or platform (e.g., “Featured on NBC’s The Voice” or “Licensed for a Nike ad campaign”). These credentials lend credibility and demonstrate your experience in sync licensing.
Social Media and Website Links
Provide links to your social media profiles and official website. Music supervisors often like to learn more about an artist’s reach, engagement, and presence, as this can add value to the pitch. Ensure these links are updated and active.
Contact Information
Make it easy for licensing professionals to reach you by providing your direct contact information, ideally including an email address and phone number. If you work with a manager, label, or agency, include their contact information as well. This section should be clearly visible, typically at the end of the EPK.
Press Coverage or Testimonials (Optional)
If you’ve received notable press or testimonials from credible sources, consider including a brief section with a couple of highlights. Quotes from past collaborators, music supervisors, or press reviews add validation and can help set you apart from other submissions.
EPK Formats
An EPK can be presented in various formats, such as a PDF document or a dedicated page on your website. PDF EPKs are versatile and easy to attach in emails, while an online EPK can be more interactive and easy to update.
For a PDF, ensure the layout is clean, professional, and consistent with your branding. Use high-resolution images, clear fonts, and organized sections. For a website-based EPK, create a dedicated page with a similar layout and easy navigation.
Resources to Explore
To get ideas and see examples, check out these resources:
- Sonicbids EPK Guide: Offers a detailed breakdown of EPK elements and examples.
- Ditto Music EPK Tips: Covers best practices and tips for designing both PDF and online EPKs.
Assignment
- Assemble your EPK by gathering the elements above. Start with a professional bio, choose 3-5 tracks with brief descriptions, and ensure all links are active and easy to access. Add high-quality images and a summary of your relevant achievements.
- Review your EPK layout to make sure it looks clean and cohesive. If you’re creating a PDF, ensure all text and images are high resolution, and double-check that all links work correctly. For an online EPK, test the page on multiple devices to make sure it’s mobile-friendly and easy to navigate.
- Once completed, save your EPK in a safe place where you can easily update it as needed and attach it to future pitches.