Q: What goes in a press kit?

A:A press kit is simple really. Be a packrat and save ALL of your articles ran on your band in any print media this includes demo or album reviews, interviews, ads, etc. Maybe include copies of posters or flyers from shows. Include a bio on your band and if particular members have special backgrounds you may want personal bios as well. Always include a cover letter directed to the person you are sending the kit to. Make sure the kit is typed, neat, and easy to read. Below are the variations on the kit for different places you send to:

For example: You are sending a kit to a music magazine, newspaper, any print media with your demo or album. This kit will differ slightly from any others because the 8X10 photo you will send them will have to be "unscreened" so they can use it for printing. There are several companies who make these photos but they do cost more money than "screened" photos. Where you can get 500 screened black and whites with logo and contact information for $80 you will pay about $80 more or less just for about 50 unscreened photos.

Or you are sending the kit to a publisher, you will need to include lyric and lead sheets and if you are a composer of course your composition in musical notation.

If you send it to a club for bookings most want to see where you have played before so send copies of flyers, concert listings, etc.

Record labels will be interested in lyric sheets and or lead sheets, they will want clear photos of the band (the screened ones are fine for them) they may also want to know if you have an indie release or DIY release and how many albums it sold how and who distributed it, how much other merchandise you have sold, they will want to see reviews, interviews, and articles, and they may want to see that you have trademarked your band name (saves them from it), and they may also want to know if your songs are published (even by your own company) and you may send them copies of your license sheets from whichever performing rights society you are a member. They are looking for anything that will convince them your group can make money for their label. They will definitely want to know if you have any endorsements from companies like Gibson, Fender, Ampeg, etc. They will want to know who your manager, agent, and attorney are as well. They want to know you are very serious about a music career.

Endorsements will require information about you using their products and how successful you have been. They want to know if they are going to let you use their instruments or equipment that you are going to be the best possible avenue for promotion for their company.

You can put these kits together yourself or hire a company to do them for you. Artist Management Services does complete press kit packages for a very reasonable rate. Contact them for pricing.