The music world moves fast. No one—managers, talent buyers, PR reps—has time to dig through hours of your social media to figure out who you are. That’s where an EPK, or Electronic Press Kit, comes in.
An EPK isn’t just a “nice to have.” It's the passport to your next big opportunity. Whether you're pitching to a festival, a music journalist, or a potential manager, this collection of music, videos, bios, and photos opens doors and sets you apart from others.
Here’s your all-in guide to building a killer EPK that gets you seen, signed, and celebrated.
What is an EPK?
At its core, an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) is a digital portfolio for musicians. It’s a one-stop resource showcasing everything professionals need to understand your artistry, without forcing them to play detective.
An EPK typically includes:
Your best tracks or videos
High-quality photos
Band bio
Links to social media
Press coverage (or testimonials)
Contact info (because once they’re hooked, you’ve gotta make it easy to get in touch)
Why do you need a killer EPK?
Here’s the tough love moment... Without a solid EPK, you’re going to seem unprofessional. Industry professionals NEED this to even start taking you seriously. Why? Because time is money—and your EPK saves them both.
Catch talent buyers’ eyes
Talent buyers, promoters, venue managers—they’re drowning in submissions. Unless you hand them exactly what they need in an easy-to-digest format, you’re toast.
But—and here’s the trick—your kit shouldn’t feel overwhelming. No one’s scrolling through a Google Drive folder with 25 songs and a three-page rant about your creative process. Instead:
Pick one song that showcases your best work.
Keep your bio short, sharp, and relevant.
Include a few quality photos that tell your visual story.
Stay memorable, not messy.
Level up your PR game
Your EPK is a PR goldmine. When journalists or bloggers come searching to feature you, this is what they use to tell your story. Want good press? Make it easy for them.
Imagine this—your new single hits, but when a journalist Googles you, they’re met with half-empty socials and no hi-res photos. Do you think they’ll feature you? Of course not. You’ve lost control of the narrative AND the chance to shine.
With an EPK, YOU control the story—and curate it to look like the star you are. ;)
Win over stakeholders
Record labels, managers, endorsement partners—they’re scouting for winners. A well-organized, impactful EPK says “I’m serious about my career.” It shows professionalism, investment, and that you’re READY to take the big leap.
And here’s a pro tip: create custom EPKs for different audiences. A manager doesn’t care about your tech rider. A festival promoter doesn’t need your sync deals. Time to tailor your pitch.
The 9 ingredients of an unforgettable EPK
Now that you’re sold on WHY you need an EPK, here’s the real question—what actually goes in it? Get this right, and your EPK will be impossible to ignore.
1. An artist biography
This isn’t the time for a life story. Your bio should:
Keep it concise but adaptable: focus on quality over length. Aim for a short but versatile bio that publications can use in different ways. Some may only quote the first paragraph, while others might use the full 3-5 paragraphs depending on their needs.
Start with essentials: open with who you are, where you’re from, and what your sound is.
Highlight milestones: don't be afraid to write about your achievements like awards or opening for big acts, if these are relevant to the story.
Notice how Dagny’s bio is structured to accommodate journalists. The first paragraph alone is strong enough to stand on its own, making it easy for the press to copy and paste regardless of the publication’s length requirements. It’s a well-crafted piece designed for maximum versatility and usability.
Make the reader feel something—tell your story, but don’t make it a snooze fest.
2. Your best tracks
Pick one or two songs that define your sound. Make sure they’re:
Catchy from the start (no seven-minute intros before the vocals hit).
Easily playable via embedded links (Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp).
3. Hi-quality photos
Invest in professional, hi-res photos that match your band's personality. Have a few variations:
Your cover art from recent releases.
Some photos of you against a plain background—trust me, it makes life so much easier for anyone cutting them out (speaking as a former stressed-out graphic designer for events).
Shots with and without the band, so promoters can choose to showcase the whole group or just highlight individual members.
Don’t forget full-body shots—these can also be easier to cut out sometimes!
Check out how nicely machineheart did it on their website. (Screenshot from: machineheartofficial.com)
4. Videos
These days, video content is just as important as photos (maybe even more!). Be sure to add music videos or live performances to your presskit.
Make sure they’re easy to access (like YouTube links) and download (Dropbox or Google Drive works great).
Good quality is a must—4K or HD at minimum. 4K is especially handy since it still looks sharp if you crop it for vertical formats, while HD can get pixelated. If vertical content is relevant, you might want to throw in a few vertical clips too.
Dagny has 4 videos on her site: the current focus single is highlighted, but you can also very easily access her other successful releases. (Screenshot from: dagnymusic.com)
5. Social media links
Your socials ARE your storefront. Make sure your profiles are polished, updated, and linked in your EPK. Blogs and fans WILL check them out.
6. Reviews & testimonials
You don’t necessarily need to have reviews in your EPK, but they can be helpful for the press and build your credibility.
If you don't have any reviews yet, a great hack is to use platforms like SubmitHub or Groover to connect with bloggers and influencers—many offer feedback that you can use (with their permission) as testimonials. Don’t underestimate direct communication either—a simple email to ask for a quick review can open doors!
SubmitHub is a great place to get your first reviews.
7. Clear contact info
Whether it’s you, your PR team, or your manager—make sure someone’s easy to reach. Add a professional email, phone number, or even a contact form on your site so you don’t miss out on important opportunities. Don’t forget to include those key details, and double-check that everything is up-to-date and easy to spot. The easier it is for people to reach out, the better your chances of building great connections.
8. Polished tech rider
For promoters making booking decisions, your tech rider tells them what’s needed for your setup. Prove you can deliver a seamless performance. Keep it short, but be thorough—tech specs, stage plot, and any private links to download your tech rider can all go in here.
Add your latest tour schedule or upcoming shows to promote your gigs AND guide agents scouting for available dates. As you start booking more gigs, this section gets more important. List the places you’ve played at (in reverse chronological order), the date of each performance, and with whom you performed. This gives a quick overview of your past performances and shows that other professionals trust your sound. As reviewers or bookers are scrolling through submissions, they’re looking for signs that others have already taken a chance on you.
Tour dates with links in Tiësto's EPK. (Screenshot from: tiesto.com)
Start building an EPK that opens doors
An EPK isn’t just a file—it’s your arsenal. With the right mix of visuals, music, and a great story, you’ll grab attention, build partnerships, and level up your music career.
Not sure where to begin? Start small. Pick a platform like your website, ReverbNation, or MusicGlue, and build from there. You can always refine as you go.
Remember, the industry is watching. What do you want them to see?
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