Down and Dirties of Press Kits?

[Robertt8]

(This would be a press kit for getting future gigs in and around the Bay Area)

Okay, I know that a Press Kit should most likely contain these items...


• CD (or Tape)
• Bio
• Photos

And may contain these things...
• Fact Sheet
• Lyrics
• Press Clippings
• Shows Played

Is that about it?

Okay, now...the real question(s)...how much do you need here, and how
do you show it? Let's back up a bit...

• CD:
• CD with 3-4 good, short, catchy songs
• CD cover/sleeve/booklet with band name, contact info and track lists
• Actual CD artwork that includes band name, contact info and track list

• BIO:
• Info on the band. Short and sweet.(i've actually got this done)how do
you show this? just on a nice 8.5x11 letterhead with the bands name and
contact info?

• Photos:
• How many photos do you show, and how do you show it? would this be
maybe 3 shots of the band gathered together and arranged (with
photoshop and or quark) on a 8.5x11 photo glossy paper? Again,
assuming that contact info and band name would be shown here as well.
• Would that do the trick or am i missing something here?

• Fact Sheet:
• What exactly is this and why would I, or wouldn't I include this?

• Lyrics:
• This is just more stuff to print out and mail or hand to a club owner.
How necessary is this?

• Press Clippings:
• This is just scans of press clippings assembled on a page right? (don't
have any, but it would be nice to know if we ever do.)

• Shows Played:
• Again, if we've only played a few places, do we bother with this?
• Say we've got a few more under our belt, does this just go on another
8.5x11 sheet with logo and contacts?

• How do you put this all together?
• Do you just put it all in a manila folder or some nice little folder from
Staples or Office Max and mail or hand it out? because I can tell you,
i can't afford to have folders made.


Anyway, sorry so long, I just want to make sure i'm covering all the bases here.

Thanks!
Robert Tait

[lykwydchykyn]

You've pretty much got the idea, Robert; I was gonna direct to you my little article on writing a bio, but you've got that in the bag it seems. Just step back and remember that this is not a checklist, nobody gets these things and expects a laundry list of contents. You're sending them this package, they're going to open it and look through it. By the time they're done you want them to be interested in doing whatever it is they do for your band (booking a gig, playing you on the radio, considering you for a record deal, etc). So look at it from that point of view: what can you do within your budget to sell your band and your music to people?

It's a lot like putting a website together, really. And you've got a pretty cool website, I should say. Give the reader a consistent theme (a letterhead on each page is a good start), and make sure it communicates what the band is all about.

As for pictures, I personally preferred to send one full 8x10 pic of the band. That way if they book you or whatever they can scan it and use it for flyers/posters/whatever.

Just get creative, don't get stuck in a laundry list mentality. If something is a weak point (like your lack of past shows) don't bring it up.

[Robertt8]

yeah, thanks...i'm just using the list so i don't miss anything...that's all.

i'm still unclear how to tie everything together...especially when certain things just need to be bought, and not created.

[lykwydchykyn]

I think I've always just put press kits in 9x12 manila envelopes, nothing fancy. Of course we were always poor...