ACS PressKit.org

Welcome to music maker download – the online directory for artists around the county. All styles provided for – from house to hardcore, and grunge to metal. With our Record Scout publication going to hundreds of music and record shops around the country it is a great place for exposure for your group, productions to get reviewed and noticed.

Whether they’re into punk music, grunge bands, vintage music, or hard rock and roll music, fans want more from their favorites and want to hear the voices of new, unsigned bands. They show their appreciation by wearing rock and roll T-shirts or their favorite band T-shirts, and by displaying rock music posters, rock concert posters and other band posters on their walls.

Myspacedotcom have launched its online charts of unsigned rock bands. Myspacedotcom provides unsigned band reviews and information to many publications throughout the world wide and to online sites throughout the World and came across this cool new site….not seen anything like this before. If you are an unsigned band of any kind you can email them your Myspacedotcom link- looks uncomplicated and you could get a review from some music industry people……

Does anyone know of anything else this promising…..if so I would like to hear from you as I am finding it difficult to get beyond playing a few gigs here and there ….have sent press kits to some magazines and record labels but nothing has come of it yet!

Promotion and internet publicity for musicians to genre specific radio stations, online music magazines, directories, blogs and other media. Submits your music to genre-specific radio stations, online music magazines, online music directories, blogs, podcasts, indie record labels, and other electronic music media.

Myspacedotcom promotes Unsigned Rock Bands providing imaginative ways to get Bands noticed. We pride ourselves on being different to other Music Websites refusing to become a Website that focuses on Member Numbers.

The biggest difference you will find with Rock bands is that you can not Join our website or create a Band Profile. Why become a needle in a haystack fighting with the thousands of other Bands using profile Websites? Who actually goes looking through these profile sites? The truth is, no one! We have come up with new ways of Promoting Band’s that offers quality exposure. We also come with the personal touch, all our services are handed edited and not database driven, you will talk to real people and not auto responses.

Promoting Metal Bands is our speciality, we spend day after day forming relationships, submitting press releases and begging for features. We also happen to be very good at it! Myspacedotcom has always been about Unsigned Bands and all our staff has either been in a Band or worked very close with one at some point. We understand how Bands work and the finances that are available.

We work for you, no fixed contracts, terms, limitations. You control your projects by setting how much time and money you want to invest in them. Whether you’re looking for a few graphics designed or a full Website development, we will be happy to work with you.

Think this through and move things around on the calendar until you’ve got one or two great ideas listed for each month. Doing this will give you a promotional roadmap so you know the best ways to spend your time and energy every month. Your efforts will be more focused this way and more likely to generate results. Our site will be giving this great idea. Our site will be promoting your Metal and Rock bands.

The biggest challenge when planning a PR campaign for you band is getting contacts. You can spend months looking up publication/zine contacts on the web only to have your press packs returned undeliverable. This is especially true with webzines, they are often started with fantastic exuberance by the people behind them, then left to rot after a few weeks.

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After attending countless artist showcases through the years as a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency, I’ve decided to touch on some practical ideas that will help promote your artist career and give you an increased chance at a possible record deal. After exploring much of the information available online, I determined to stay with easily grasped concepts and ideas that would help artists avoid some of the common mistakes.

First let’s make it clear that not every act deserves an artist showcase, at least not in the light of pandering to record labels in an ongoing campaign to secure a record deal. If you’ve read any of my articles, you know I try to tell it like it is and so once again, I will not shy away from the truth that not every artist deserves an outlet to showcase their “talent.” The reason is not simply because the band is no good, but because maybe there is not a maturity or serious quality from the members or a definitive goal in place that everyone is rallying around. Other reasons may include lack of a unique playing quality or an act that is simply playing cover tunes. Let’s talk about cover tunes for a minute.

Don’t play cover tunes unless they are specifically asked for, or unless you are a cover band playing wedding gigs, etc. If you are truly looking to get a record deal, then showcase your own music. This notion that your audience can relate to you and your band simply because you are playing music that everyone knows is false and misguided logic. Would you have cared, the first time you heard one of your favorite groups, that you knew any of the material – I bet not. You were so into the music and groove you wanted to hear more and buy the record. You think of big groups today that at one point were nobody, and just imagine hearing them for the first time, would it have mattered? – I bet I’m right again. Moral of the story, play your own music.

Before you begin to look at the possibility of a showcase, look at your objectives. Each showcase doesn’t necessarily have to be about the record deal, but that should certainly be your ultimate objective and therefore, everything that you bring to the table ought to encompass and revolve around that goal. For example, you might showcase a particular groove and set of songs, which you would like to take out on the track and test. Is the audience really digging it or is it not you. Likewise, you can showcase for a lesser goal, but yet an important stepping stone to a record deal signing like pushing upcoming events or visibility to obtain additional bookings, etc.

As you start planning a showcase, who will attend? – Friends or will music industry personnel be present? Each artist showcase ought to be driven by a marketing approach. Do you have an artist logo, professional bios, pictures and press kits made? These can not be a “friend of the group did it for us,” looking press kits. They have to shine and look pro like music industry individuals are already in play and are looking at your act. Don’t overlook these elements. You might check out artist press kits, bios and press blurb writing at ReelMusician.com.

How will you go about promoting your showcase? You have to look beyond stapling flyers to telephone polls, etc. Have you thought about creating a jingle or station ID or local radio personality piece for free in hopes that you will get some radio and TV exposure? You ought to look at local radio stations and write a mix according to the style of the station and your band – see if you can’t get some promotion that way. Cable TV advertising is fairly inexpensive. You might consider going in with everyone in the band and buying some advertising from cable or local TV stations.

If you don’t already have it, and I’m sure most do, get your web site up and going and make sure that you have a page for upcoming events along with pictures, bio, contact page. Websites do not have to be expensive. You can get your website hosted for $5 – $10 a month. You most likely won’t get a lot of traffic, but you will get credibility with the public and within the music industry crowd – This will prove to be invaluable later on down the road.

What will your showcase consist of and what can you do to stand out from the crowd? Your act needs to look like they’ve been at this for years with a comfort level exuding from who the band is. How long is the showcase? You’ve heard the old expression, always leave the crowd wanting to hear more. Far better to do a rather short showcase with knock out tunes then a lengthy, drawn out, can’t wait to get out of there, gig. Work with your song lineup and tweak the number and length of your set at rehearsal until it feels right. Have everything figured right up front. Who’s going to speak when and try to hit all of the “what ifs,” as much as you can. You want this showcase to “wow” the listeners and create some momentum and energy.

Re-think your image and make sure that it matches who you are. People are not that stupid and can almost immediately recognize when an image is forced and manipulated and not natural to the group. Better to have a natural image, true to who you are, than an image that you think just has to go with your style of music.

In closing, make each and every showcase count, with calculated marketing and a thought through line-up so when the music industry execs start showing up, they have something to go back to the office with!

Many amateur bands are seeking for opportunities to make their music be heard by people through any possible means. With this, members of a specific band must be flexible enough to deal with different kinds of people and build positive connections with them. Furthermore, the band members may not know that they are actually talking with a big-time recording studio owner or boss.

Once a band was given a shot to perform live in front of a recording studio representatives, or submit demo CD’s to recording companies, its members must be prepared enough to give their best. In addition, preparing for various promotional materials like a band press kit and demo CD must also be included on the overall preparation.

Having more rehearsals can help an amateur band perform well everywhere, in a rehearsal studio, on stage or even in front of top executives of a recording company. A band can spend more time in practicing and recording their music to analyze flaws and weak points of a certain song. Band members can always do a revision if possible to enhance their music.

Preparing a band press kit is also a necessity for any band. A band press kit or portfolio contains the demo CD, band profile, band photo, list of songs and a business card to create visual identity for the band. Amateur bands can express themselves through die cut business cards, a more personalized form of business card that suits a specific need and purpose. Amateur bands can also seek for reliable printers to create their band photos. This is important because quality photos can show professionalism. Photo printing and business card printing are just some of the many ways that amateur bands can resort to.

With these kinds of preparation, it is possible for an amateur band to get an opportunity to record their songs and be widely known. Band members must consider the saying that applies to all people: “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” With that saying, amateur bands must consider preparation as an important part of their success.

People listen to music almost every day and admire the specific bands behind those excellently written songs. People are interested in knowing more about a particular band in any way they can. With this, certain bands must think of ways to address their supporters’ concern.

It is important for certain bands to keep their fans informed and updated about who they really are, their music genres, the way they compose songs, and their upcoming activities. Sharing a band profile, song lyrics and upcoming gigs is possible through creating a band press kit, CD booklet printing, and online promotion.

Band Press Kit – A band press kit or portfolio is the most important thing to be completed by a certain band. This package is being submitted to recording companies to gain more opportunities in the music industry. Furthermore, creating a band press kit will allow band members to cooperate with each other. The members of a particular band can compile all items including the demo CD, band profile, band photo, song list, and more.

CD Booklet Printing – CD booklets, liner notes and inserts are the ones that come along with a music CD to complete the music album package. A band can put its history and profile in the booklets, as well as the lyrics of their original music. There are many online printing companies to choose from, but a specific band must seek for a reliable one to create the CD booklets. Many people buy music album not just for the music CD, but also for the inserts and booklets included in the package. This is because people can gain more information about a certain band, how they are formed, and how the lyrics are written.

Website and Online Promotion – Through a website, a band can share their profile, song list, lyrics, photos, gigs and upcoming activities to a wide population of Internet users. With a growing number of people who use websites, social networking sites and blog sites, a particular band can surely gain more supporters. Furthermore, a band can get comments from Internet users using a band website.

With these possible ways, people will learn more about a particular band. This will build trust and bond between the fans and a specific band. In addition, a band’s music will be more appreciated and patronized by openness and transparency.

While music is an artist’s commerce, promotion and publicity are necessary to get as many people as possible aware of you music. Since you can’t physically go introduce yourself or your band to every radio station, music magazine or club, it’s important to have a professional press kit. Press kits give a first impression so take the time to create the best press kit you can.

The first thing in a press kit is a biography. You don’t need to start at birth or wax poetic about your childhood. This kind of biography focuses on your musical life – the type of music you perform, whether or not you write music, where you studied music, venues you have played. If you have a web site, make sure to give the site address.

The next thing you need is a professional quality photograph. Do not include a snap shot or a picture taken by a friend in your backyard. Check around and get prices from photographers who specialize in headshots. You should be able to get a good photograph for under $100. The picture is more than just showing people what you look like. It should also be reflective of who you are as an artist.

If you have any good reviews or if there have been any articles written about you, make copies and include them in your press kit. But don’t include anything that is too old. You want the material to be current.

The centerpiece of a press kit is your music.  If you have a website with videos, you can use that if need be but the best way is to include a demo CD with the press kit. You want the demo to be professional quality so your music is presented with good, crisp sound quality.

Decide whether or not you want the press kit printed out and snail mailed, or if you want to send the press kit via the internet. If you go for the printed copy, jazz it up by using subtly colored stationary and making a label for the CD. You want it to be eye-catching without going overboard.

I need some help. How do I make one? I know the basic idea of it, but can anybody give me the specifics please. If you’ve made one for your band, please help me out! My band wants to start booking shows and I want to send press kits to venues to get shows. Help please

If your band is trying to get the notice of millions of screaming fans, few things can do more than the video press kit.  With the video press kit, you can engage both mainstream and Internet media sources to promote your band.  Since publicity is a crucial factor in growing a large fan base, how does the unknown band create a video press kit to attract the attention of the media?

First and foremost, start with good quality video footage of your band performing.  Live shows are great but even a video recording of your band playing in the studio can be used to great effect.  In fact, as your band gains popularity, this early home recording studio footage may become highly prized, like the basement recording of Bob Dylan or Jim Croce.

Your video footage should be encoded in several popular formats, including mpeg, wmv, flash and avi, and you should offer link or embed codes to your videos from your website.  Why?  This simple step of providing a variety of working formats means that the media can use the recordings without having to do the extra work of re encoding the footage to their equipments needs.  Bloggers who wish to share your video with their readers can easily insert these videos into their blogs and news rooms can use your files for direct broadcast with very little editing being required.

When preparing your video footage for your video press kit, use editing software to add a title and related information, like the date and location, with a brief pause of about one second before the clip.  It is also a good idea to put copyright and contact information at the end of the clip.  Limit the length of your videos or logically separate the video into chapters so editors don’t have to search through hours of video to find the section they want to use.

In addition to the video section of your video press kit, you need to supply some text files with crucial information.  These text files will include contact info so publishers can tell their viewers how to get in touch with your band to book performances or get additional information.  While the traditional information like name, mailing address and phone number are important, digital world contact info is equally important.  Always include your website URL and the bands email info.  If you would like media resources to link back to your site in exchange for using your video, be sure to include your preferred link code.

By using these tips to build your bands video press kit, you can reach a wide audience with very little work.  You can put the world of media to work for you to promote your band to a global audience.  You don’t have to be a big name to get media attention.  You just have to be able to sway the media by giving them the things they look for in a video press kit.

Do you have a Press Kit or a Promotional Pack?

Just like an actor or a model, you need to assemble a marketing package specifically tailored for you and your music. This is like a product brochure where you are the widget to be sold. And make no mistake, this package must “SELL” you because in this arena of the music world, you are a product. Your Press Kit must present you in a most favorable light and must instill in the reader or viewer, enough interest to take the next step.

What Should Be Included in My Press Kit?

Cover Letter

Always make sure to include a letter with your Press Kit, correctly addressed to the right person at the record company. You have already spoken to them or an assistant, and they know this package is coming. Thank them in the letter for their time on the phone, and remind them who you are. Don’t forget to include all of your contact info at the bottom of the letter.

Photos

First and foremost, current photo’s of you and/or your band. Not old wedding photos or high school yearbook pictures, but professional photographs of you. Sometimes called the headshot, because in the past they were generally just “head shots”, but now it is appropriate to include full body shots in color or black and white. If you have a band, then individual shots of the band members while ideal are not necessary, but a group shot most definitely is. Try and put a nice 8×10 Glossy in there. Spending a few extra dollars on your pictures will go a long way in demonstrating to the record company that you are serious about this venture. If you can, include your contact info on the bottom of the picture. If you cannot, then be sure to put it on the back of the photo. A label will work just fine.

Bio

Your biography will contain important personal tidbits about you that the record people will want to know. Remember, they don’t know you except for the brief amount of time you spent on the phone with them. And honestly? They will have forgotten all about you by the time you press kit arrives and they open it. So don’t brag, but you can be a little puffy. Don’t forget you are selling yourself!

• How old are you?

• Where you are located?

• Are you married? Have kids?

• Level of education.

• Any interesting facts about you that might pique the record company’s interest.

• Any fascinating accomplishments?

Resume

This can be added to the bottom of your Bio page if you do not have a lot to fill out here. Do not fill the page with endless Pizza Places and minor bars. List them once, but try and stick to the most impressive ones. A page full of pizza parlors could be to your detriment.

List your top venues.

• Who have you opened for?

• What charity benefits have you performed at?

• What training you have received with respect to your art?

The resume needs to be designed to make you look as experienced and committed to the business of music as it can. But don’t exaggerate or heaven forbid, outright lie. You may get caught up in someone’s due diligence and then after that, everything you say will be suspect. You want to impress them with your credentials, so list everything in a positive light. You did not lose the Seattle Rock Battle of the Bands, you were a finalist.

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My band’s fanbase is growing, and we’re getting to play bigger venues. Recently one of the booking agents asked me for a demo and a press kit. I looked it up on the internet, so I know WHAT it is, but I don’t have any clue what I should put in it, or how long it should be. Should I do it myself or should I have an editor from a news paper do it? Is there anyone out there who would be willing to do it for me? If you have Paypal, I can pay you!
Thanks for looking for me some more I swear I looked everywher, but maybe it’s cause I have add (go figure…I’m a musician) and I didn’t look hard enough. You’re awesome!

Aside from studio rehearsals and playing guitars, a start-up band must consider other important things to gain more opportunities. This can be done through creating a band portfolio to be submitted to various recording studios and companies.

Every musician of a start-up band must participate in conceptualizing for the overall look and theme of their portfolio. It is also important for them to consider printing some materials like CD covers, band profile, band photo and list of songs. Here are the things that compose a good band press kit or portfolio:

The Cover Page – This page must introduce your band and the type of music you play. Your band logo must be included, along with the band name. Provide contact details if necessary, including telephone numbers, address, email address, website and URL.

Band Profile – This must provide specific information about the band, as well as the individual members. You can tell your band’s history of how you were formed, who plays specific instruments, and what kinds of songs you cover or compose.

Band Photos – You can resort to online printing for fast and quality photo prints. Quality band photos speak of professionalism that is why it is important to take it to consideration. It is also essential to make use of quality stock to maintain the quality of the image for a long period of time.

Demo CD – Provide a CD that contains at least three of your best songs. This will give recording studios a hint of what kind of music you have. Through the demo CD, recording companies can decide whether you have the potential or not.

Song List – Provide a list of songs to be included on the band portfolio. Include the original music and even your best cover songs.

Business Card – This kind of printed material is used to create a visual identity and show professionalism. Furthermore, a business card can be carried anywhere by a recording company’s representative. With this, your band may get an exposure through a small card.

An impressive press kit can make your band step up from the rest. But the most important thing to be considered by a start-up band is to come up with good and original music to be enjoyed by everyone.

A start-up rock band must come up with an impressive band press kit to be given out to recording studios. The press kit or portfolio is a musician’s first step to success. Furthermore, quality music portfolio can bring more opportunities for a specific rock band. With this, it is important for the band members to focus on the things needed to complete the package.

Printed Documents

Printed documents like cover letter, band profile, song list, record of gigs and shows must be included in a band press kit. These documents must tell potential clients about a band’s objectives, history and profile. Moreover, recording studios may want to ask what kind of genres and the cover songs included on the list of a specific band. It is also important to provide a band photo so that the profile will become reliable.

Music Sample

A start-up rock band must come up with a demo CD that records at least three of its best songs. Representatives from a certain recording studio may want to hear a specific band’s music for evaluation. Before recording a demo CD, it is important for the band members to rehearse their part. They just have to remember that they need to produce a quality demo CD to impress the clients.

Visual Identity

A professional business card for the whole rock band can be included on the press kit. Most of the time, the name of the band leader is indicated on the business card. It is also important to come up with a creative and unique business card design to create visual identity. The logo, band name and contact details are also important in printing this kind of material.

These are the things that should be included in a band press kit. A start-up rock band must take this first step in order to achieve their dreams of becoming popular in the music industry.

Self promotion is becoming increasingly popular for bands and musicians the world over. Managing your own marketing materials

saves money and puts more in your pocket while allowing you to control your image. Your band press kit is the number one

weapon in your band promotion arsenal; but you have have to make sure you include the right components in your band press kit

to impact booking agents, venue managers, radio program managers and record label executives. This article explores what you

need to include in your band press kit to come across as a professional act that hiring personnel can count on to deliver.

Band Bio Sheet

Your band biography, or bio sheet, showcases your band. You might include:

A brief summary of your band and its members.
A sample set list
Your musical influences
What style of music you play
Equipment list (for live venues)

Business Card

Music is a business, after all. Include a business card so prospects can keep them in their Rolodexes if they need a band in

a pinch.

Band Poster

You’ve seen them on the walls at radio stations, live venues and the bedrooms of teenagers everywhere — the band poster is

your calling card to fame, and keeps you fresh in the minds of prospects.

Band Photo

Your band, immortalized in a black and white professional-quality photo. It’s necessary, and it’s cool.

CD/DVD

The most important part of your band press kit; anyone who is going to drop a boatload of dough on a band wants to hear what

they sound like first. Make sure you include one in every band press kit.

Pocket Folder

You need a pocket folder to put all of this stuff in, right? Your folder should include pocket slits for your business card

and CD or DVD. This puts everything right at easy reach for hiring managers.

Press Releases, Newspaper Clippings, Upcoming Gigs, etc.

Any other relevant information, such as media coverage and press releases you’ve submitted, should be included in your band

press kit. If your band is already popular, you don’t need to include everything — just the most recent and/or highlights.

There you have it — everything that you need in your band press kit.

For more details: WWW.THEBANDPRESSKIT.COM