ACS PressKit.org

Is there any where that makes electronic press kits for promoting bands? Or any websites where I can do it myself?
And what would I need to do this myself?

I’ve been answering the question “What is a press kit and what goes into it?” over and over again for both PR professionals and business-owners during the past few months. I’d like to answer this question once and for all now, especially for the PR people who ought to already know the answer.

What Are Press Kits And What Are They Used For?
Press kits, which are created to provide information about your company, its products/services and executives, can be given to journalists, sales teams for presentations, or anyone needing company information. Press kits now come in various formats including paper kits, online and CD/DVD-ROM. Paper kits are usually presented in folders with pockets; online kits are typically on the company’s website and can be locked so as not to give away information to anyone who doesn’t have a code/password; CD/DVD-ROMs are a combination of paper and online kits that you hand out.

So, What Goes Into A Press Kit?
Let’s start with the basics (these apply to all formats of kits):

Press Releases.
 

Company Backgrounder – This is a story of how the company began until the present.
 

Company Fact Sheet – This includes a brief paragraph about the company (could be the same as the boiler plate), HQ Address/Phone/Fax/Email and other offices, List of Executive Team and their titles, Official Launch Date, Website, and any other pertinent factual information (example: product designs/cuts, sizes, flavors, etc.
 

Corporate Bios and Headshots.
 

PR Contact

The advanced items in a press kit include:

Press Clips – I advise that you include these when sending to anyone other than a journalist, as most journalists don’t want to read other journalists press.
 

Q&A Sheet – These are talking points, and if you’re comfortable, you can release them to the press; otherwise, they’re for internal/executives’ use.
 

Awards Sheet.
 

Sales/Product/Rate Sheet.
 

Games/Quizzes/Puzzles/Top 10 Quotes and Industry Facts.
 

Product Photos (High-res).
 

Editorials, Speeches and Media Statements.
 

Newsletters.
 

Testimonials.
 

Product samples.
 

Videos – These apply to online and CD/DVD-ROM kits.
 

MySpace/Facebook pages – These apply to online and CD/DVD-ROM kits.
 

Downloadable Screen Grabs – These apply to online and CD/DVD-ROM kits.
 

Downloadable Executive Headshots – These apply to online and CD/DVD-ROM kits.
 

Downloadable Logos – These apply to online and CD/DVD-ROM kits.
 

Anything else you feel is pertinent information that you would like someone to know about your company.

I hope this answers the question.  If anyone has additional items that they’ve placed in kits, other than those listed above, please share your creativity with all of us!

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!

So you have a cell phone, a Palm Pilot, an automated office complete with teleconferencing, remote-access, Web site and e-mail addresses. So what? Just because you’re always available to the media doesn’t mean the media has easy access to your clients. What will your high-tech office be able to do when a reporter wants a press kit at 7 p.m. on a Friday evening? Nothing – except hastily prepare the hard copy kit for a costly overnight shipment.

There is a simple way to eliminate the need for keeping a large inventory of hard copy press kits and reduce your dependency on the shipping company guy: publish your clients’ press kits online.

Making the move from hard copies to press kits published online that are always-accessible is essential in today’s age of e-mail. The corporate world lives by e-mail; reporters and other media professionals are no different. These people are busy and time is always of the essence when they’ve got deadlines breathing down their necks. The decision to use your client in a story instead of someone else is contingent on whose information is easiest to get. If it takes all night for your client’s press kit to reach their desk, you might get bumped.

I know what you’re saying right now. “But, Drew, I e-mail my clients’ press materials to the media.” Well, that’s great, but just because reporters use e-mail doesn’t mean they open every stranger’s message that arrives in their inbox and it especially doesn’t mean that they even bother opening your attachments. Why? Because it’s too risky.

First of all, everyone knows not to open an e-mail from someone you don’t know; especially if there’s an attachment. This is e-mail safety 101. Strange e-mails with attachments usually mean one thing: virus. At least, that’s the take of most business’s firewalls and anti-virus protection systems. You may think you’re making waves by mass e-mailing your media lists with attached press releases, but how many calls are you getting back? Not many, since your important e-mail has been tossed out with the “wasser” worm and those annoying “enlargement” e-mails.

So what’s the solution? Reject technology and start snail-mailing and faxing again? No. Embrace technology and publish your press kits online.

Now, an online press kit is not a Web site. Don’t be confused by the term “online.” Though an online press kit can be displayed online and present information like a Web site, it is really a virtual folder or briefcase that allows you to upload and store your press materials on the Internet. Once in your online press kit folder, these documents and images can be distributed as links – not attachments.

When you prepare your sharp, concise e-mail pitch to the media, you simply insert links to your clients’ press kits. When the reporter clicks the link, the document can be opened and saved on their computer. It opens like an attachment, but the documents themselves live online. Instead of piling them onto your e-mail, you’re simply providing directions (a link) to get to them. They become part of the e-mail message, so a media outlet’s virus protection system won’t automatically kick it out of the system.

Virtually anything can be uploaded to an online press kit: press releases, high-resolution images, video and audio clips, graphics and more. Plus, since you have control over your online press kits, you can always be sure they’re up to date.

Now you’re thinking “Wow, these things sound great, but I bet they are expensive.” Not necessarily. Though there are online press kit programs available that cost into the thousands, they usually include extra features you don’t really need and will probably never use. Think of the online press kit market as the binder or folder aisle at your favorite office supply store. Sure there are binders with all kinds of extras, but you pass those by for what you need and the price you can live with.

Face it – technology is only going to get better and faster. Don’t be left in its dust trying to wave down that brown truck with your emergency overnight press kit. By going online with your clients’ press kits, you’re not only making them easy to access, but easy to cover by the media. The media loves that – and so will your clients.

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.

Ace Frehley Electronic Press Kit 2009 “Vintage Shock Me Photos 12/12/76 Lakeland, FL” Special Thanks to Kevin Witte – Lakeland, Florida

Learn about sonicbids.com and other ways to put your electronic press kit online in this free band management and promotion video with music business tips. Expert: Kiely Griffin Bio: Kiely Griffin has been playing the flute for ten years. She has participated in many district, state, regional and national ensembles including the National Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

You have a great idea and you’re now ready for the world to know about it. With the increase in promotional alternatives, you may be a little confused as to how you should get the word out. CODANK Charlotte Web Design suggest that you invest in a well put together Press Kit.

A press kit, also known as a media kit, is a pre-packaged set of promotional materials of a person, business, product, or organization. It is normally distributed to numerous members of the media for promotional use only. A press or media kit is often used to announce a release or for a news conference of some sort.

Common Press Kit Elements

Background Information Photos/Images (High Resolution) Biographies of key individuals Past Press Coverage Updated Press Release Contact Information Collateral advertising material (flyer, book, etc.)

Below is a list of other great reasons to use a media or press kit.

Business launch Mergers and acquisitions News conferences Large events Industry trade shows Product launch

Press kits are very common in the music industry. Bands and musicians tend to use them when launching a new album. Their media kits usually include: band biography, discography, CD, contact information, and an equipment list.

Those who choose to create a press kit often vary in the way that they are actually put together. Some people prefer it to have a certain look while others would rather put it together in a different way.

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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.

The press kit for De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising. For more info on the making of 3 Feet High and Rising: www.hiphop.com

Electronic press release kits are the same as regular press release kits – the only difference is that they don’t have any pleasantries for the journalists. Well, and they are distributed in CD or over the internet. When it is made available online, editors of newspapers working around the world can download the content straight from the news syndication website. They can also receive them through email. There aren’t any restrictions, especially when it comes to delivering news online.

Electronic press kits (EPK) have the news article or press release. It also has necessary background information of the company. They can be quite extensive, as you can include all relevant data in the kit for the editors to explore. A good option for marketers and everyone who wants to get his/her news across to a maximum number of people. Companies, non-profit organizations, political parties, etc all now use EPK for possible inclusion in newspapers, magazines and websites.

Drafting electronic press release kits require some skills and understanding of what the editors need. No editor will like to make his editorial space another advertising billboard. They need news – what is in it for the readers type news stories. Your success with EPK depends on your ability to convey in clear language that there is something for the readers. Newsworthy events, development of new technologies, curious uses of different products, etc all make for news. If the release has no news value, it won’t get published.

Video News Releases

They are also like EPK. The difference is they are aimed at television channels. A news video, which can be included in the local channel as news, companies can get some exposure through VNR. Just like in case of EPK, you need to have a newsworthy or interesting story weaved into the video. You can very few seconds to sell the story, you need to make sure the video passes like a bullet. There are techniques that you can use to make your VNR irresistible by TV news editors.

Apart from the local TV channels, you can also target the websites catering specific geographic locations or target demographic groups. There are several websites now available online, streaming videos. The visitors of such websites use high speed broadband connection and they watch the videos just as TV programs. When planning VNR production, make sure you target this group too.

There are different strategies of gaining attention of the editors. They include releasing a funny or entertainment video, a compelling news story that editors can’t overlook, and videos featuring celebrities are always in demand. They go to both TV channels and websites delivering online videos.

Entertaining or informing news releases also go to newspapers – both local and national papers. Some editors pick shorter news items – less than 200 words, while others have 700 word releases OK. Also think about the newspapers and magazines that give snippets of less than 20 words.

When it comes to electronic press release kits, your primary requirement is to get your release printed or published in websites. We can help you reach hundreds of editors in a matter of minutes.

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Keywords: Electronic press kits, video news release, epk, vnr,

Category: Communications, mass media, news, or similar

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