ACS PressKit.org

Some recent surveys of journalists and reporters indicate that most prefer to use online media rooms/press kits as opposed to the old-fashioned hard copy press kits. Why? The Internet is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A busy reporter on deadline can log on and cruise from one online press kit to the next without having to wait for an overnight package or fax.

Many businesses and publicists are embracing this new technology in media relations and are in a mad dash to develop online press kits of their own or for their clients. Like a Web site, an online press kit should contain certain elements, should make some features more prominent than others, and be simple to navigate. Here are some “do’s and don’ts” to consider before you dive in and begin creating an online press kit.

Online press kits Should:

Be easy to locate if linked to a main Web site. For instance, if ABC Bottled Water has a public or consumer Web site already established, a separate media room can be linked to the Web site’s home page. This link must appear prominently – either in the site’s menu or on the home page. Reporters don’t have time to search for it. Also, if the media room is linked to a “main” site, the media room should share the main site’s “look and feel,” so that reporters don’t feel link they’ve been forwarded to some unrelated site.

Provide materials commonly used by the media. A general press kit usually contains a backgrounder, FAQ, and profiles of key individuals/spokespeople. This is what a reporter will want to see when he or she visits your online media room. The purpose of providing these common documents is to minimize any extra work a reporter will need to do to get what he/she needs. Other important items to include are high-resolution, digital photos, high-resolution digital logo graphics, and of course, press releases. A good online media room will come equipped with a media library where all types of files can be uploaded, stored, and distributed, including general press kit materials.

Include the media coverage already received. When a company, organization, or individual has been covered by the media (preferably favorably), it helps to “legitimize” them. Be careful about copyright issues when reposting articles, though. If you or your organization has appeared in the media, use anything from audio clips, video clips, and links to media outlets’ Web sites in your online media room’s “In the News” page. Check with the media venue for reprint permission.

Include media contact information prominently. If the person handling media relations is not an employee of the company/organization, be sure that the contact info in the online media room directs reporters to the person who is. If a reporter reaches out and his/her request is lost in cyberspace, chances are, they won’t come back.

Online Press Kits Should Not:

Combine info for both the public AND the media. Ideally, the information provided for the media should be separate from content intended for the public or consumers. One reason is that it makes it more difficult for the media to find what it wants, and another is because it reduces your control over the info provided to the media. Messaging is very important, and while it can sometimes vary for the public, it should always be consistent for the media – after all, your messaging is what they’re using to cover you with.

Require a reporter to make numerous requests for additional info. There are always going to be some things that you do not want to provide online on a constant basis. This could include certain photos or ebooks. Keeps these instances to a minimum! In cases like these, it is fine to say “please contact us for photos of this event,” or “please contact us for a sample ebook.” Some media rooms have very limited file space, which may require you to upload low-resolution photos to save space. Asking reporters to contact you for high-resolution photos is all right, too. The point of an online media room is to provide the media with most of what it needs.

Be out of date. Update press kit materials as needed, and try to keep a current press release available – even if it wasn’t distributed on the wire or to reporters directly. By keeping a timely supply of “news,” in your media room, it will be obvious to the media that it receives your attention.

Other Helpful Tips:

Use links – not e-mail attachments! Media rooms with media libraries should allow you to upload your documents and create a URL to their location online, which you can provide to the media instead of an e-mail attachment. When was the last time you opened an e-mail from a stranger that had an attachment?

Have a blog? Link it to your online media room. Blogs are a great way to discuss your company, cause, or industry and are often used by members of the media when researching someone/something for a story. If you have one, add the link to your media room. If you don’t have one, consider getting one.

By following these tips and by putting yourself in the shoes of a journalist, you will be able to develop an online presence that is both informative and convenient. Do this and you’ll meet the demands of the media and increase the likelihood of gaining editorial exposure.

In the world of online media, there is a new tool that can help your band find fame.  This tool is called an electronic press kit.  Without this tool, getting the media coverage of the big label bands is almost  impossible.

The electronic press kit is a valuable collection of information about your band.   In most cases, the assembled press kit is placed in a zip file and stored on your web server.  Links to this downloadable file can be placed on the site itself or emailed to media outlets that might be interested in covering your band.

The contents of the electronic press kit will include pictures, contact information and biographical information about your band and its members.  This content is used by the media representatives, like bloggers, journalist and music magazine writers, to create informed articles about your band and musical style.  But, you may be asking, what does this mean for your band?

The biggest thing is publicity.  In the world of music, publicity is life.  If you are unknown, you can stay in the dark corners for decades.  Media gets a lot of attention.  A single blog can have hundreds or thousands of readers.  When that blog owner decides your band is worth writing about, you have just received A) a huge endorsement and B) the chance to impress all of those readers, which is made much easier by the fact that someone they trust to provide good information has just given you a recommendation.

If you can use the electronic press kit to draw the attention of the media, the media will help you draw the attention of the fans.  There is no reason to remain a complete unknown when creating a press kit is so simple and so important to your success.

I design jewelry and want to get my stuff out to stores, so I was thinking of a press kit. Besides pictures and descriptions of my work, what should I include?

See online press kit examples 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

It is very important as a musician to heave a well put together press kit that will help steam roll your path to success in the music industry. Press kits are also commonly called “media kits” and “artist bio” but they all used for the same thing which is to help with Music Promotion, Music Publicity, Booking Agents and Band Promotion. There are a lot of bands out there all gunning for the same venues, radio play and magazine interviews which is why you are more likely to successfully snag all of these opportunities with the Press kit I’m going to help you build.

Lets get started with the basics and go from there:

COVER- A first impression is a lasting impression so make sure this aspect of your press kit really shines, let this be the part that introduces you to the venues, radio stations and magazines. Include what genre of music you play, your band logo (eye catching) and your contact information for the band (Myspace, Website, Phone numbers and email).

ARTIST INTRO PAGE (Bio)- Start off by introducing your group followed by the band members (if any), follow that with the style of music you play and list any genres you may have. Go into naming some quality venues, clubs etc. you have played at in the past and which cities or regions they were in. Also list important equipment you may have such as amps, PA, Microphones, lights, etc. and any personal you may have that runs the production for your shows. Talk about your fan base, include the size of it and how you communicate with them. List any street team supporters you may have and where they are located. Make sure to differentiate between original music or cover music depending on which one relates to your style and also if you’re an acoustic or electric act. List any promoting techniques you may use to help bring people to your shows seeing how this is the only way to make any money at live venues it is a very important part to getting venues to book your show. List any websites, social networking sites and or flyers you use for promoting shows and music presence. One way to get started is to attend open mic. nights and leave your press kits with venue managers after the show in hopes of getting a gig in the future.

ARTIST PHOTOS- Lets take a look at why it is so very important to have good photos before we talk about how to acquire them. Take a look around at today’s communication behaviors and you will quickly notice that visual imagery is king in the world’s communication. You see it no matter where you are and it would seem that almost everyday new technology comes out that even furthers how we view this media on a day to day basis. This should be setting off a little red alarm in you head telling you that if this is true then it must be vital the way people are viewing you which brings us back to your photos. First impressions are lasting impressions so if you really want to have those in the industry and amongst the music community to take you seriously you will want to get some Professional 8×10?s taken of your music group or single act. Be resourceful in about getting your photos, be sure to shop around and maybe ask friends and family if they know of anyone that can help you out. There isn’t really any need to spend a fortune here if you take your time and do some research first. Have fun with this as well, use your imagination and come up with some fun ways to accurately portray your music.

Booking Information - This is the section of your press kit that contains all of your Booking Information such as the best way to contact you, preferences in types of shows and areas you can travel to perform. It is important to have your contact info in multiple places through out your Press Kit so go ahead and add your phone number and address again in this section as well.

Demo CD You are rarely going to run across a club or venue that will agree to have you come play before they have heard your music and the best way to have them take is a listen is to create a Demo CD. The Demo CD should consist of 2-4 songs each being the best of your material, this is the time to really show them your good stuff. Once again add your contact info to the label that will be placed on this Demo CD which should also include your band name and the list of songs on it. All of this is to help ensure that even if the person or venue you gave the press kit to looses the kit, there might be a good chance that your CD could still be floating around along with how to contact you for gigs. Spend some time into a nice looking CD Cover and label so that who ever sees it will know that you are serious about your music.

SONGS LINEUP Put together a list of your songs that your band might play on a average basis including the best of any cover songs you might add in with your original work. If you might be wanting to do anything else such as a light show or some sort of skit on stage this would be the place to add that in as well.

SHOWS SHEET Your bands shows sheet should include any past gigs you have played and any future ones that you have already lined up to perform at.

BAND / MUSIC REVIEWS To show credibility of your bands music it is very important to include any Music Reviews or news paper clippings on your band into your press kit. If you do not have any of those items then you might want to start getting your music out to resources that can do a review for you such as local newspapers and organizations like www.LocalProMoConnect.com & www.lpmvoice.com

BUSINESS CARDS- Were not saying that you have to present your self as some corporation only aimed at making money but we are saying that you need to treat your music as a base line business which means you will need a card to pass around at every show you go to. You can include your Independent acts business card in the mix of your press kit as well as always keeping a few on you at all times in case you run into the right person that will be able to help you out. You can make your own business cards at almost any copy store for a relatively good deal seeing how they are only made up of paper and ink. And almost every word program comes with a few templates you can use at home and have printed on card stock paper or even just very thick regular paper. Make sure to include your bands Name, Phone, Contact Name, Websites, Email, and any logos you might have to represent your act. You might want to make up a small batch of high quality cards to pass around to industry reps and a bigger batch of average business cards to pass around to the common person but it is up to you and your budget to determine how and when this is all possible.

ENVELOPE- Depending on who your planning to receive your press kit you might want to come up with two very different designs for the envelope it will be going into. Your going to want to stand out in a pile of many envelopes so be sure to use a load color and unique design that captures the attention of the beholder to ensure your press kit wont be overlooked on the desk or in the file cabinet of a venue owner or booking agent. On the other hand you will want to be a bit more settle when it comes to sending your press kit out to record labels or industry reps so try to think of a design that is appealing to the eye but not to distracting. Just be sure to have both styles ready to go on a moments notice in case you have to send them out or hand them off to any and everyone that might be able to help further your musical career. Thanks you for following along with us on successfully building your press kit and we hope all the best to your near future and utilizing these tools.

If you are an artist, publicist, musician, band or any professional looking to make a good presentation and first impression, then you are definitely in need of a press kit, electronic press kit or media kit as it is sometimes called.

Years ago, a press or media kit was something that artists, musicians, publicists only thought about, because the cost to create and distribute them was so expensive.  So, what is a media kit? It is your professional resume that encompasses your biography, press clippings, photos, work (CDs), press releases, and any other additional information that will make you look good in the eyes of the media (if you’re looking for exposure), record label execs, associates, potential business partners or whomever you want to have a full overview of who you are, or what it is that you are selling or doing, by presenting to them a professional product.

Now most media kits can range about $40 dollars a piece, because you have to pay for the material and paper, professional pictures, CDs (if applicable), folders to place the content in, business cards.  Then you have to consider mailing it which will cost around $5.00 per mailing.  If you have that type of money to spend on creating and sending out a press kit, then I would suggest that you do so, as it is a good investment, if given to the right people, who will use it to help catapult your career or business.

I have, however, discovered a reasonably priced service website for my clients – http://www.grindmodepress.com, where they give to you a free, no-risk trial of their basic service to create an electronic press kit or EPK/OPK as it is sometimes called, that also will allow for you to create press releases in addition to your electronic press kit (your press releases automatically attach to your press kit, so you don’t have to add it to your press kit), and distribute/e-mail them right from the website, with an unlimited amount of people that you can send to, so there are no restrictions as to how many time that you can send.  The service auto-formats the electronic press kit and press releases for you (allowing for hyperlinks, pictures, creates PDF & print version), for distribution, so even a novice can create and distribute with no problems.  They also give you the ability to distribute a single song, for instant feedback that you can manage right from your control back panel.  The site also gives media leads to some of the key magazines, newspapers and allows for social bookmarking, which all of this is invaluable for some people who may not have media outlets to send their electronic/online press kits to.  It is literally a one stop media shop.  I forfeited the trial and signed up for the yearly package which was literally very inexpensive, and actually saved me more money than if I had went with their monthly plan, which also seemed to be inexpensive for all that you get.  I do not usually endorse products, because I get nothing from it, but if I had to have an instant media kit, and could not afford a traditional one, then I would sign up for this service at http://www.grindmodepress.com, because it is a win/win situation.  The most powerful part of the site is your control back panel.

In concluding, I say as a professional publicist with over 25 years of PR experience, everyone needs a press kit or as I would call it, a professional resume that paints a professional picture of them, so even if you opt not to try the service that I have above-mentioned, then I would say that you should invest in a traditional media kit.

Alan Jakes

alanjakespr@gmail.com

Learn about including media coverage, show reviews and set lists in your online press kit in this 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

I do graphic design for a up and coming local band in Cincinnati ohio. The band has played at many local venues and bars. But I want to put an impressive press kit together for them because it would really help them in the long run. How can I do this? What is all incorporated in a press kit?

Learn how to use online photos for an electronic press kit 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

If you are an artist, publicist, musician, band or any professional looking to make a good presentation and first impression, then you are definitely in need of a press kit, electronic press kit or media kit as it is sometimes called.

Years ago, a press or media kit was something that artists, musicians, publicists only thought about, because the cost to create and distribute them was so expensive.  So, what is a media kit? It is your professional resume that encompasses your biography, press clippings, photos, work (CDs), press releases, and any other additional information that will make you look good in the eyes of the media (if you’re looking for exposure), record label execs, associates, potential business partners or whomever you want to have a full overview of who you are, or what it is that you are selling or doing, by presenting to them a professional product.

Now most media kits can range about $40 dollars a piece, because you have to pay for the material and paper, professional pictures, CDs (if applicable), folders to place the content in, business cards.  Then you have to consider mailing it which will cost around $5.00 per mailing.  If you have that type of money to spend on creating and sending out a press kit, then I would suggest that you do so, as it is a good investment, if given to the right people, who will use it to help catapult your career or business.

I have, however, discovered a reasonably priced service website for my clients – http://www.grindmodepress.com, where they give to you a free, no-risk trial of their basic service to create an electronic press kit or EPK/OPK as it is sometimes called, that also will allow for you to create press releases in addition to your electronic press kit (your press releases automatically attach to your press kit, so you don’t have to add it to your press kit), and distribute/e-mail them right from the website, with an unlimited amount of people that you can send to, so there are no restrictions as to how many time that you can send.  The service auto-formats the electronic press kit and press releases for you (allowing for hyperlinks, pictures, creates PDF & print version), for distribution, so even a novice can create and distribute with no problems.  They also give you the ability to distribute a single song, for instant feedback that you can manage right from your control back panel.  The site also gives media leads to some of the key magazines, newspapers and allows for social bookmarking, which all of this is invaluable for some people who may not have media outlets to send their electronic/online press kits to.  It is literally a one stop media shop.  I forfeited the trial and signed up for the yearly package which was literally very inexpensive, and actually saved me more money than if I had went with their monthly plan, which also seemed to be inexpensive for all that you get.  I do not usually endorse products, because I get nothing from it, but if I had to have an instant media kit, and could not afford a traditional one, then I would sign up for this service at http://www.grindmodepress.com, because it is a win/win situation.  The most powerful part of the site is your control back panel.

In concluding, I say as a professional publicist with over 25 years of PR experience, everyone needs a press kit or as I would call it, a professional resume that paints a professional picture of them, so even if you opt not to try the service that I have above-mentioned, then I would say that you should invest in a traditional media kit.

Alan Jakes

alanjakespr@gmail.com