How to Create an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for Your Band in 2025

An Electronic Press Kit (EPK) is your band's professional resume. It's the package of materials you send to venues, promoters, press, and industry professionals to showcase who you are and why they should work with you. A well-crafted EPK can be the difference between getting booked and getting ignored. This guide will show you how to create an EPK that opens doors.

What is an EPK?

Definition

An Electronic Press Kit is a digital package containing:

• Band biography
• High-quality photos
• Music samples
• Videos
• Press coverage
• Social media stats
• Contact information

Why You Need One

For Booking Shows

• Venues require professional materials
• Shows you're serious
• Makes booking decisions easier
• Provides all needed information

For Press Coverage

• Journalists need quick access to info
• Professional presentation matters
• Easy to share and forward
• Increases coverage chances

For Industry Opportunities

• Festivals and competitions
• Record labels and publishers
• Booking agents and managers
• Sponsorships and partnerships

EPK Essential Elements

Band Biography

Three Versions

Short Bio (50-75 words)

• Quick elevator pitch
• Genre and location
• Key accomplishment
• Current status

Example: "The Midnight Riders are a high-energy rock band from Austin, Texas, blending classic rock influences with modern alternative edge. Since forming in 2022, they've played over 100 shows across the Southwest and released two EPs to critical acclaim. Their latest single 'Highway Dreams' has garnered over 500K streams on Spotify."

Medium Bio (150-200 words)

• Expanded story
• Band formation
• Musical style and influences
• Key achievements
• Current projects

Long Bio (300-500 words)

• Complete band story
• Individual member backgrounds
• Musical journey
• Detailed accomplishments
• Future plans
• Interesting anecdotes

Bio Writing Tips

• Write in third person
• Lead with most interesting info
• Include specific achievements
• Avoid clichés ("unique sound")
• Update regularly
• Proofread carefully
• Make it engaging

High-Quality Photos

What You Need

Band Photos

• Professional group shot
• Live performance photos
• Candid/lifestyle shots
• Individual member photos

Technical Requirements

• High resolution (300 DPI minimum)
• Various orientations (horizontal, vertical, square)
• Different crops and compositions
• Properly lit and in focus
• Professional quality

File Organization

• Clear file names
• Multiple sizes available
• Easy to download
• Organized in folders
• Include photo credits

Getting Great Photos

• Hire a professional photographer
• Trade services with photography students
• Attend professional photo shoots
• Invest in quality over quantity
• Update annually

Music Samples

What to Include

Streaming Links

• Spotify
• Apple Music
• YouTube
• Bandcamp
• SoundCloud

Downloadable Tracks

• 3-5 best songs
• High-quality MP3s (320kbps)
• Properly tagged (artist, title, album)
• Representative of your sound

Best Practices

• Lead with your strongest song
• Include variety
• Keep it current
• Make it easy to access
• Embed players when possible

Videos

Essential Videos

Music Video

• Professional or high-quality DIY
• Your best/most recent song
• Showcases your style

Live Performance

• Full song or highlight reel
• Good audio and video quality
• Shows your stage presence
• Engaged audience

Optional Videos

• Behind-the-scenes
• Interviews
• Acoustic sessions
• Tour footage

Video Best Practices

• Host on YouTube or Vimeo
• Embed in EPK
• Include links
• Keep it current
• Good audio quality essential

Press Coverage and Reviews

What to Include

• Press quotes (pull the best lines)
• Links to articles and reviews
• Radio play mentions
• Blog features
• Podcast appearances
• Award nominations or wins

Formatting

• Quote with attribution
• Publication name and date
• Link to full article
• Most impressive first
• Keep updated

Example "The Midnight Riders deliver an electrifying performance that leaves audiences wanting more." - Austin Music Magazine, March 2025

Social Media and Streaming Stats

Include

• Follower counts (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
• Streaming numbers (Spotify monthly listeners, total streams)
• YouTube subscribers and views
• Email list size
• Website traffic

Present Professionally

• Round to nearest thousand
• Update regularly
• Highlight growth
• Be honest
• Context matters

Example

• 50K+ Spotify monthly listeners
• 15K Instagram followers
• 500K+ total streams
• Growing 20% monthly

Contact Information

Essential Contacts

Booking

• Dedicated booking email
• Phone number
• Response time expectation

Press/Media

• Press contact email
• Publicist info (if applicable)

General Inquiries

• General email
• Management contact

Best Practices

• Professional email addresses
• Respond promptly
• Clear purpose for each contact
• Include social media links
• Make it easy to reach you

Technical Rider (For Venues)

Include

• Stage plot diagram
• Input list
• Power requirements
• Backline needs
• Lighting preferences
• Sound requirements

Keep It Reasonable

• Appropriate for your level
• Flexible when possible
• Clear and organized
• Professional presentation

Hospitality Rider (Optional)

For Larger Shows

• Meal requirements
• Drink preferences
• Green room needs
• Guest list allocation
• Parking requirements

Keep It Professional

• Reasonable requests
• Flexible attitude
• Appropriate for your level

EPK Format Options

Dedicated EPK Website

Platforms

• Sonicbids
• ReverbNation
• Bandzoogle EPK feature
• Custom website page

Pros

• Professional appearance
• Easy to update
• Trackable
• Shareable link
• All info in one place

Cons

• May require subscription
• Another platform to maintain
• Requires internet access

PDF EPK

Pros

• Downloadable
• Works offline
• Easy to email
• Professional format
• Universal compatibility

Cons

• Harder to update
• Larger file size
• No embedded media
• Less interactive

Best Practices

• Keep under 5MB
• Include clickable links
• Professional design
• Clear organization
• PDF/A format for compatibility

Website EPK Page

Pros

• Part of your website
• Easy to update
• No extra cost
• Full control
• Integrated with other content

Cons

• Requires website
• Need to design and maintain

Recommended Approach

• Create dedicated /epk or /press page
• Include all essential elements
• Make it easy to navigate
• Downloadable assets
• Print-friendly version

EPK Design Best Practices

Visual Consistency

Branding

• Use band colors
• Consistent fonts
• Logo placement
• Cohesive imagery
• Professional appearance

Layout

• Clean and organized
• Easy to navigate
• Logical flow
• White space
• Mobile-friendly

Content Organization

Logical Structure

1. Band name and tagline
2. Short bio
3. Music and videos
4. Photos
5. Press quotes
6. Stats and achievements
7. Contact information
8. Additional materials

Make It Scannable

• Clear headings
• Bullet points
• Short paragraphs
• Visual hierarchy
• Easy navigation

Accessibility

Easy to Access

• Simple URL
• No password required (unless necessary)
• Fast loading
• Mobile-responsive
• Works on all browsers

Easy to Download

• One-click downloads
• Organized folders
• Clear file names
• Multiple formats
• Reasonable file sizes

Creating Your EPK: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather Materials (1-2 weeks)

• Write all bio versions
• Schedule photo shoot
• Select best songs
• Choose/create videos
• Collect press quotes
• Compile stats
• Organize contact info

Step 2: Organize Content (1 week)

• Edit and proofread all text
• Select and edit photos
• Prepare music files
• Upload videos
• Format press quotes
• Create technical rider
• Organize all files

Step 3: Choose Platform (1 day)

• Decide on format (website, PDF, platform)
• Set up account if needed
• Plan layout and design
• Gather any additional tools needed

Step 4: Build EPK (1-2 weeks)

• Create layout/design
• Upload all content
• Add all links
• Test all functionality
• Optimize for mobile
• Proofread everything

Step 5: Test and Launch (1 week)

• Test on multiple devices
• Check all links
• Get feedback from others
• Make final adjustments
• Create shareable link
• Prepare pitch email template

Step 6: Promote and Maintain (Ongoing)

• Add EPK link to website
• Include in email signature
• Share on social media
• Use for all booking inquiries
• Update regularly
• Track usage and results

Using Your EPK Effectively

When to Send Your EPK

Booking Inquiries

• Initial venue outreach
• Festival applications
• Tour booking
• Opening slot opportunities

Press Outreach

• Album/single releases
• Tour announcements
• Major milestones
• Interview requests

Industry Opportunities

• Agent/manager inquiries
• Label submissions
• Licensing opportunities
• Partnership proposals

How to Send Your EPK

Email Template

Subject: [BAND NAME] - Booking Inquiry for [VENUE/DATE]

Hi [NAME],

I'm reaching out on behalf of [BAND NAME], a [GENRE] band from [CITY]. We're interested in playing [VENUE NAME] on [DATE RANGE].

[One paragraph about your band and why you're a good fit]

You can find our full EPK here: [LINK]

Highlights:
- [Key achievement 1]
- [Key achievement 2]
- [Key achievement 3]

Listen: [Streaming link]
Watch: [Video link]

I'd love to discuss booking opportunities. Please let me know if you have availability.

Best regards,
[YOUR NAME]
[CONTACT INFO]

Follow-Up

• Wait 1 week before following up
• Keep it brief and friendly
• Reference original email
• Provide any new information
• Don't be pushy

Maintaining Your EPK

Regular Updates

Monthly

• Update show calendar
• Add new press coverage
• Update streaming stats
• Check all links

Quarterly

• Refresh photos if needed
• Update bio with new achievements
• Add new music/videos
• Review and improve content

Annually

• Complete content audit
• New professional photos
• Redesign if needed
• Major bio update

Track Your Results

Monitor

• How many people view your EPK
• Which elements get most attention
• Conversion rate (views to bookings)
• Feedback from recipients

Adjust Based on Data

• Improve weak areas
• Highlight what works
• Test different approaches
• Continuously optimize

Common EPK Mistakes to Avoid

Don't

• Use low-quality photos or audio
• Include too much information
• Make it hard to navigate
• Forget to proofread
• Use unprofessional email addresses
• Include outdated information
• Make files too large
• Require passwords unnecessarily

Do

• Keep it professional and concise
• Make it easy to access
• Update regularly
• Use high-quality materials
• Proofread everything
• Make contact easy
• Test on multiple devices
• Get feedback from others

EPK Checklist

• Short, medium, and long bios
• High-resolution band photos
• Individual member photos
• Live performance photos
• 3-5 best songs (streaming and download)
• Music video
• Live performance video
• Press quotes and reviews
• Social media and streaming stats
• Contact information
• Technical rider
• Hospitality rider (if applicable)
• Professional design
• Mobile-responsive
• All links working
• Proofread and error-free

Conclusion

A professional EPK is essential for any band serious about booking shows, getting press coverage, and advancing their career. While creating a comprehensive EPK takes time and effort, it's an investment that pays dividends every time you reach out to a venue, promoter, or journalist.

Start by gathering your best materials, organize them professionally, and present them in an accessible format. Keep your EPK updated as you achieve new milestones and always be ready to share it when opportunities arise.

Remember that your EPK is often your first impression with industry professionals. Make it count by being professional, organized, and showcasing your best work. A great EPK won't guarantee success, but it will ensure you're taken seriously and given fair consideration.

Begin today by creating a checklist of materials you need, scheduling a photo shoot, and choosing your EPK platform. Your professional EPK will become one of your most valuable tools for growing your music career.