How to Build a Press Kit That Gets You Gigs

As a musician, whether you're just starting or already established, one thing is clear: a professional press kit is key to getting noticed and booked for gigs. Think of it as your musical CV—it’s how you make a great first impression with promoters, venue owners, agents, and media. A killer press kit can open doors to opportunities you never imagined!

In this guide, we’ll show you how to build an effective press kit step-by-step and suggest some tools that can take yours to the next level. Plus, we’ve packed in some affiliate opportunities so you can snag the best resources to build your press kit like a pro.

Let’s dive in!

What is a Press Kit and Why Do You Need One?

A press kit (or EPK—Electronic Press Kit) is a collection of materials that introduces you, your music, and your brand. It’s what you send to venue bookers, music supervisors, journalists, and festivals to convince them to work with you or feature you.

Your press kit should communicate two things:

Who you are as an artist (your style, image, background).
Why they should book you (show them you’re professional, prepared, and have a fanbase).

A press kit that stands out can be the difference between landing that gig or being left in someone’s email inbox. Ready to build one that’ll get you noticed?

1. A Standout Bio

Your artist bio is often the first thing people read, so it’s your chance to make a lasting impression. Don’t just list facts—tell a story! Talk about your journey as a musician, the style of music you create, and your biggest influences. Highlight any accomplishments, whether it’s opening for a big act, festival performances, or chart success.

Use Fiverr to hire a professional writer who specialises in artist bios. Having someone craft a captivating, well-written bio can take your EPK to the next level.

2. Professional Photos

High-quality images are an essential part of your press kit. You’ll need a combination of:

Promo shots: These should be professional, with clean backgrounds.
Live performance shots: Action photos from your gigs help show your stage presence and energy.

The images should reflect your brand. If your music is upbeat and fun, make sure your photos convey that vibe. Serious or moody? That should come through as well.

Get a photography gig on Fiverr to find a professional photographer in your area who can capture your vibe perfectly. You can even find photographers who specialise in music and live performance shots!

3. Your Best Music Tracks

Your press kit needs to feature your best work—the tracks that showcase your unique sound. Include:

Two or three of your strongest tracks.
Streaming links (to platforms like Spotify, SoundCloud, or Apple Music).
If possible, include downloadable MP3s (sometimes preferred by venues or promoters).

Pro Tip: Make sure your tracks are high-quality, mixed, and mastered. Poor sound quality is a major turn-off for people reviewing your kit.

If you’re not already using a music distribution service, check out DistroKid to get your music on all major streaming platforms quickly and affordably.

4. Social Media Links and Stats

Your social media presence is crucial to showing promoters and venues that you have an audience. Include your official website and social media handles for platforms like:

Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Facebook

Make sure your social media profiles are active and reflect your brand. If you can, include some engagement stats like your number of followers, video views, or how many streams your latest single has on Spotify. The goal is to show that you have an audience that will come to your shows.

5. Live Performance Videos

What better way to show how you perform on stage than with a live video? You don’t need a fancy production—what matters most is that it captures your energy and crowd interaction.

Your press kit should feature:

At least one high-quality live performance video.
If possible, include videos from different venues (clubs, festivals, etc.).

This gives bookers confidence that you can draw a crowd and put on a great show.

Use Fiverr to find video editors who can help you create a polished, professional-looking video compilation of your live performances.

6. Press and Reviews

If you’ve been featured in any magazines, blogs, or online publications, make sure to include that in your press kit! Even if it’s a small local feature, it adds credibility. Copy snippets from the articles or link to the full review.

Pro Tip: If you haven’t been featured yet, consider reaching out to small music blogs or local papers for coverage.

7. Tour Dates and Gigs

If you’re actively performing, include a section in your press kit with upcoming gig dates. This shows that you’re in demand and have experience playing live.

You should also add a list of past performances, especially notable venues or festivals. Promoters will take you more seriously if you’ve already played successful gigs.

8. Contact Information

Don’t make the mistake of forgetting to include your contact details! Clearly display:

Your email address.
Your phone number (if comfortable).
Contact information for your manager or booking agent, if applicable.

You want to make it easy for bookers to reach you for opportunities.

How to Create and Share Your Press Kit

Now that you’ve gathered all the materials, you’ll need to put everything together. Your press kit should be accessible, easy to update, and easy to share.

Create a PDF version for download and email. Make sure it’s well-designed and includes clickable links.
Use an online EPK service to host your press kit digitally. These platforms allow you to keep everything updated in real-time and make sharing your kit as simple as sending a link.

Check out Bandzoogle, an all-in-one platform that lets you build a website and host your EPK, with templates specifically designed for musicians. It’s perfect for creating a professional, mobile-friendly press kit in minutes!

Final Tips to Make Your Press Kit Stand Out

Keep it short and sweet. No one wants to read a novel—stick to the essentials.
Update it regularly. As your career evolves, so should your press kit.
Tailor your press kit to your audience. If you're applying to festivals, focus on your live performance skills. For media, highlight your latest release and social proof.
Keep your links fresh. Ensure that all your streaming and social media links are working and direct people to your best content.

Summary

Here are the tools we mentioned that will take your press kit from good to great:

Fiverr: For hiring a professional bio writer, photographer, and video editor.
DistroKid: To distribute your music and link your tracks in your press kit.
Bandzoogle: To create a polished, easy-to-update online press kit.

Conclusion: Ready to Build Your Perfect Press Kit?

Your press kit is your chance to showcase who you are as an artist and make the right impression with industry professionals. Take the time to make it professional, and use the resources mentioned to make it stand out. With a stellar press kit in hand, you’ll be booking gigs and growing your music career in no time!

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