An electronic press kit is the single document that represents you to the professional music industry. Venue bookers, journalists, playlist curators, sync supervisors, and festival organizers all expect one. Without a proper EPK, you will not be taken seriously no matter how good your music is.
The good news: creating an EPK takes one afternoon and lasts for months before needing an update. Here is exactly what goes into one and how to make it stand out.
What Is an EPK?
An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) is a digital portfolio that contains everything someone needs to book you, write about you, or consider you for an opportunity. Think of it as a one-page website that answers every question a music industry professional would ask: Who are you? What do you sound like? What have you accomplished? How do I contact you?
The 8 Essential Elements of an EPK
1. Artist Bio (Short and Long Version)
Write two versions. The short bio (50 to 75 words) is for quick pitches, social media, and email introductions. The long bio (200 to 300 words) tells your story for press features and festival applications. Write in third person. Lead with your most impressive achievement or most compelling hook, not your childhood.
Bad opener: "John Smith has been making music since he was 5 years old." Good opener: "John Smith's debut EP reached #3 on the Spotify Viral Charts and has been synced in two Netflix series." Start with what makes you interesting, then fill in the backstory.
2. High-Resolution Press Photos
Include 3 to 5 professional photos at minimum 2000px wide. Provide both landscape and portrait orientations. Press outlets and venues need options for different layouts. Include at least one clean headshot and one performance/lifestyle shot. Avoid heavy filters. Name files clearly: ArtistName_PressPhoto_1.jpg.
3. Music (Streaming Links and Embeds)
Embed your top 2 to 3 tracks using Spotify or SoundCloud players. Also include a smart link for each release so the recipient can listen on their preferred platform. Curate carefully: lead with your strongest, most representative track, not necessarily the newest one.
4. Music Videos and Visual Content
Embed 1 to 2 music videos or live performance clips. YouTube or Vimeo embeds work best. If you do not have a professional music video, a well-shot live session or visualizer works. This shows bookers and press what you look like in action.
5. Notable Achievements and Press Coverage
List your highlights: total streams, notable playlist placements, press features, festival appearances, sync placements, awards, and any other social proof. Include logos of publications or playlists that have featured you. If you are early in your career, include metrics like monthly listener growth rate or notable support slots.
6. Social Media and Streaming Stats
Include current follower counts and monthly listeners across platforms. Link to your profiles. Bookers and brands want to see your audience size and engagement. Use NotNoise Music Stats to pull cross-platform analytics into one view so you always have current numbers.
7. Contact Information
Include a professional email address (not a personal Gmail), phone number (optional), and links to all social media profiles. If you have a manager, publicist, or booking agent, include their contact details with clear labels for who handles what type of inquiry.
8. Technical Rider (For Live Bookings)
If you perform live, include a basic tech rider: how many performers, what instruments and equipment you bring, what you need from the venue (PA system, monitors, microphones, DI boxes). Keep it simple and realistic. An overcomplicated rider for a small act signals inexperience.
Your EPK should take 60 seconds to scan and 5 minutes to read in full. If someone has to dig for information, you have already lost them.
Where to Host Your EPK
Option 1: A dedicated page on your website (recommended). This keeps everything under your domain and is easy to update. Option 2: Services like Bandzoogle, Electronic Press Kit, or Sonicbids that provide templates. Option 3: A well-organized Google Drive or Dropbox folder (least professional, but functional in a pinch).
Whichever option you choose, make sure the URL is clean and memorable. Something like yourname.com/epk or yourname.com/press. Include a downloadable PDF version for people who prefer offline access.
EPK Mistakes to Avoid
Do not write your bio in first person. Do not include every song you have ever released (curate your best 3). Do not use low-resolution photos. Do not bury your contact information. Do not include irrelevant achievements (your high school talent show win does not impress a festival booker). Do not forget to update it quarterly with new releases, stats, and press coverage.
How to Use Your EPK
When pitching for shows: send a brief email (3 to 4 sentences) with your EPK link. When pitching to press: customize the email angle but always include the EPK link for background. When submitting to festivals: most applications have an EPK field. When pitching for sync: include the EPK alongside stems and instrumental versions.