For the purpose of this article, I will refer to “band”. But you could substitute this with musician, DJ, producer, etc.

An electronic press kit (EPK) is a curriculum vitae (CV) for your band, usually on one page with essential information about your band.

In the past, press kits were sent in physical form, CD, or cassette if you can remember that far back. Today, EPKs can be online, in PDF format, or even just a video. I think EPKs are better online, so they can be interactive using audio players and videos.

Why do I need an online EPK?

• Attract new gigs and maybe even a record deal.
• Highlight your band's accomplishments all in one place.
• Target a different audience. Direct fans to your band's website and promoters/bookers to your EPK.
• "Show off" social media engagement and drive more traffic to your social media channels.
• More control. If you send a PDF to someone, the content is fixed and cannot be changed. A dynamic press kit that lives online can easily be updated long after you send out your link to multiple sources.

What format should an EPK be in?

As mentioned before, online is the most common format. I would avoid PDF format. Firstly, PDFs don't open nicely on mobile like a responsive website does. Secondly, they may be suitable for bloggers and authors, but a band's EPK needs to be dynamic, so an online EPK is the best choice.

What do I mean by dynamic? Dynamic, so you can easily add songs/MP3s, photos, videos, gigs, and update your social media following.

Who should your EPK target audience be?

Every band may have a different target audience. But potentially, your EPK could be viewed by:

• Labels
• Booking agents
• Event coordinators
• Managers
• Press companies
• Music blogs
• Online influencers
• And anyone else who may request it.

What to include in your EPK

Biography

Your biography (bio) should be the first substantial written piece of content your reader reads. Make it short and reflect your band's personality.

High-res image

Your EPK should contain a high-resolution image of your band. Remember, they may use this photo in their publications. If you have the budget, get a professional photo done. A good quality photo can make all the difference in terms of how professional you look.

Audio/MP3

Add the release you are most proud of, or add your latest extended play (EP). One EPK Builder user added their whole album, which is fine, but it's not something I'd recommend. Short and sweet is the best approach because most of your target audience are likely to be time-poor.

Social Media accounts

Probably one of the most important features of a modern EPK nowadays is having a social media presence for your band. Adding your social media following gives your audience a good indicator of how much fan engagement you have.

At EPK Builder, the software automatically calculates and displays your total social media following. If you've had a sudden surge of followers and want to update the stats, just save your EPK again.

Contact Information

Add your contact information to make it easy for promoters to contact you. Add a form to make it easier for your readers or use your band's generic email, or even management details if you have one.