How to Create a Music Promotion Package
There is one thing that every independent musician who wants to get taken seriously should have, and that is a professional music promotion package. Sometimes called a promo pack, this multi-page document is an excellent resource to have in your arsenal whether you’re trying to score a gig, get more press coverage, or you’re a label trying to spread the word about your band. It is undoubtedly one of the keys to finding success in the music industry.
Most importantly, having a professional and informative promo pack allows you to set yourself apart from other artists. But the first step is learning how to create one. And that’s where we come in.
Below, we share a few tips on things you should include when creating a successful music promotion package.
Contact Information
This one is a no-brainer. How terrible would it be for the gig promoter or venue to want to hire you or your band, only for them not to be able to reach out? Mistakes like these can certainly cost you the opportunity of a lifetime. Your contact info should be visible in multiple places throughout your music promotion package.
It should include your phone number, email, and social media accounts. The most common places to print your contact info are your press release, demo, and bio. The reason is, should one of them go missing or if the urge strikes to reach out immediately, they don’t have to go searching for it.
Band Photo(s)
If you are looking to land more press coverage or a gig, it is crucial to include a photo of you or the band in your package. It can be hard to find a good, quality photo to feature in an article or flyer. Providing one can earn you brownie points with the publication and help people better understand who you are as an artist.
Your photos can also direct them on creating relevant set pieces and give them more options for article layouts. A best practice is to include your band logo and no more than four colored photos that feature a mix of live, staged, and candid shots.
Your Bio
Every independent artist has a story. And the music industry likes to connect artists and the masses in two ways, through their music and their story. Your bio can give music industry experts direction about who they should promote your music to and where. Your biography can also be used as a story of triumph to share with others as you climb the ladder to success.
Your bio should be short and to the point. It doesn’t need to be cutesy, formal, or overly wordy. The most important details you should include are relevant ones about your background and your sound. No one needs to know that you’ve dreamed of being a musician since you were a tyke, dragging around a plastic guitar (spoiler alert, everyone dreamed of being an artist at some point).
Have the Perfect Demo
Promoting your music is the primary purpose of creating a music promotion package, so it should be the strongest part of your pack. That is if you want to score that record deal or have your music played on the radio. Music industry folks receive countless promo packs from musicians of every genre, so you have to put your best foot forward. This means showcasing your most popular tracks on a two-to-three-song demo CD.
You can even get creative and include a QR code or add augmented reality features (AR) to your files to encourage the recipient to further interact with your music and give you a full listen. Be sure to keep in mind that the music you include should be curated based on who you are trying to attract. So, for this, you can create several versions of your demo that span different target audiences.
Press Clippings
The next piece you want to include in your music promotion package, if you have them, are digital press clippings such as interviews, album and gig reviews, playlist features, and appearances. First impressions are everything, so be sure to use only your best press moments from top publications or those that carry the most significance to you and your band.
Of course, you should always leave out the bad press. Including press coverage can help solidify you or your band as storied artists in the music industry, even encourage them to take a chance on you.
Press Release
If you have a new album, single, or tour you want to promote (yes, virtual tours count, too), writing a press release for your music promotion package is a must. Like your bio, your press release should be short, sweet, but chockful of useful information.
Save the fluff for marshmallows and pillows! The reason is music blogs, and local publications can use the details in your press release to write blogs, quick writeups for their website, or add your tour to their events calendar. So, give them plenty of details to work with.
Have Professional Packaging
Did you know that the music industry most definitely judges a book by its cover? That’s why it is important to have professional packaging for your music promotion package. It could make the difference in whether a gig promoter checks out your band over another. Coffee stains, bent corners, and wrinkled paper don’t scream professional to anyone.
Besides what your promo pack looks like before it gets into a record label’s hands, it is also on you how it looks when it is delivered. To keep your package in pristine condition, we recommend using a padded envelope for maximum protection. And if available, go for a colored envelope to add flair and catch the recipient’s eye.
If sending a physical copy of your music promotion package proves challenging, you can also send a digital copy. However, despite being in an age where physical media struggles to stay relevant, physical promo packs are still the preferred format.
How Mirada Media Can Help
Creating the perfect music promotion package is an awesome way to stand out from other artists and get your name out there, and we hope that our tips help you find success in the music industry! Another thing to keep in mind when creating your pack is how to protect your music from being stolen or used without permission. That’s where Mirada Media’s SecureMedia API comes in. It can protect your media from violating situations like premature release along with any other sensitive documents that you don’t want to fall into unwanted hands.
To learn more about how SecureMedia works and our other services for independent musicians, contact us today!