Your average press kit should include a brief summary of the group, like the style of music you play and what types of events you normally perform for, a few pictures (posing, performing) a sample list of recognizable pieces/composers that are in your repetoire, and if possible some comments from satisfied customers. You can also have a short bio of the players, but this isn't really necessary in my opinion.
Also, a lot of potential buyers will want to hear a recording of your music, a CD with a few brief clips of you best performances of the most popular songs will serve you well. Don't give them a CD with 78 minutes of music on it, they'll just use that instead of hiring you!
As far as price, you can do them yourself for free if you have a decent printer at home. If you want to have them professionally printed, that's another story and will depend on many factors. I wouldn't hire anyone to put one together for me, nobody know your groups strengths and selling points better than you.
Good luck, and let us know what you come up with.
MF
Press Kit
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Mike Finn
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kegmcnabb
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tubajoe
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Mouthpiece Mike is right on the money. Great advice.
These are things that they dont teach you in school... and are directly related to performing -- the reality is that you have to create your own opportunities and you have to sell yourself to potential buyers.
Try to match the press kit to the gig -- and be sure to include lots of nice photos. People love photos. There are often times where an Electronic Press Kit will work -- as well -- a website will suffice often too. It's good to have sound clips on your website as well as lots of photos. Hit em from every direction.
I could go on all day... but I'll leave it at this... you have to sell yourself in a manner that is appropriate to the venue/booker/audience/employer.
There are MANY good books on the subject, as well as seminars around in most major (music-friendly) cities.
These type of skills are incredible skills to learn.
These are things that they dont teach you in school... and are directly related to performing -- the reality is that you have to create your own opportunities and you have to sell yourself to potential buyers.
Try to match the press kit to the gig -- and be sure to include lots of nice photos. People love photos. There are often times where an Electronic Press Kit will work -- as well -- a website will suffice often too. It's good to have sound clips on your website as well as lots of photos. Hit em from every direction.
I could go on all day... but I'll leave it at this... you have to sell yourself in a manner that is appropriate to the venue/booker/audience/employer.
There are MANY good books on the subject, as well as seminars around in most major (music-friendly) cities.
These type of skills are incredible skills to learn.
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kegmcnabb
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Press Kit (for real)
OK, now that I am done joking...
All above advice is great...just one more important but easily overlooked detail...
Name and phone number on EVERYTHING...each page of the kit, bio, press quotes and clippings....on the demo tape or CD...on your 8x10 glossy...EVERYTHING!
The clients who you give these to are no more organized than the rest of us. If you only have your name and contact info on one piece of your kit, that will be the one piece they misplace.
If you make it easy for them to contact you, you make it easy for them to hire you.
Best of luck and happy gigging!
All above advice is great...just one more important but easily overlooked detail...
Name and phone number on EVERYTHING...each page of the kit, bio, press quotes and clippings....on the demo tape or CD...on your 8x10 glossy...EVERYTHING!
The clients who you give these to are no more organized than the rest of us. If you only have your name and contact info on one piece of your kit, that will be the one piece they misplace.
If you make it easy for them to contact you, you make it easy for them to hire you.
Best of luck and happy gigging!
Craig McClelland
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kegmcnabb
- 3 valves
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- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2004 10:33 pm
- Location: Moving back to WI from NM! What am I thinking?
Billboard Guide to Music Publicity
Try this one...The Billboard Guide to Music Publicity.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... 9?v=glance
It's not quite up-to-date on all of your electronic options, but is an excellent resource for putting together your print package. Plus ultimately, your electronic and on-line options will be created from the same resources as your print package.
Good Luck!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... 9?v=glance
It's not quite up-to-date on all of your electronic options, but is an excellent resource for putting together your print package. Plus ultimately, your electronic and on-line options will be created from the same resources as your print package.
Good Luck!
Craig McClelland