Key Artist Development Strategies

Cover The cover letter of your press kit must be eye catching with your artist logo, style of music your act plays and it must be to the point. Contact information visible and should include all of the obvious info including Contact Name, Band Name, Phone Number, Address, Email, and Website URL. The cover letter should represent who you are and what you want initially conveyed. We encourage a logo with a catchy phrase that represents who you are musically and promotionally. There are an endless number of ways to create your cover letter, but if nothing else, your cover needs to shine and say, "I want to learn more about this act."

The Artist Bio The artist bio can be somewhat tricky as a new act starting out, but it can and must be professional. We suggest a well drafted, honest approach avoiding too much hype. Individuals in the business know (1) what they're looking for, and (2) what's real and what's not, and know they can take an act with great attitude over an act that "Knows it all." Place emphasis on content like - Type of genre of music, specific info regarding band and styles, names of members, number of members in the act, your sound and lights personnel, key booking dates, number of independent CD's recorded and how many units sold. Remember that relevant information will go a long ways in building both credibility and viability.

Pictures A crisp, professional, clear 8X10 photo with artist/act name and contact info. We do not suggest sending multiple pictures and the picture you send, while artistically relevant. should clearly show all band members. Whether you include color or black and white is a personal preference, although we tend to favor black and white as a general rule. You'd be surprised at the pictures A&R directors receive on a daily basis, so make sure it's quality.

Logos As previously mentioned, the artist logo is an important element in the artist press kit. Success in this business is all about recognition and perception. Your artist logo will help give the A&R director, club owner, or booking agent, the initial look and feel to your band and the fact that this is a quality act producing artist press kits with a promotional edge. It ties together the whole artist package with flare. Make sure you have an artist logo!

Demo CD The CD shrink wrap should always be removed. As an A&R director, how frustrating do you think it would be to try and sift through multiple press kits feverishly trying to remove the shrink wrap to each one? We suggest the front cover of the CD to be simple with track numbers and songs listed in order of sequence - nothing more and nothing less except for perhaps the logo formatted to the size of the CD. For print purposes, you might print the covers on glossy or a semi gloss finish to avoid a dull appearance, but that is not mandatory just preferable for a professional touch. In addition, tasteful textured or colored paper can inhance your CD sleeve - Make sure it's readable and works with your logo.

Booking Info While this contact information will be visible on the cover letter, it should be separate if your press kit is being sent to clubs or booking agents. Make all information to the point, easy to read and get to, and artistically pleasing to the eye. Make sure and mention all applicable dates performed and to be performed. Try to list more than "John's Bar and Grill," but dates of significance - ie fairs, touring dates, opening for major recrod label acts. Make sure to mention that you bring all or the majority of equipment to increase your odds of securing dates.

Equipment Page Again while the contact info is available on the cover, a separate sheet is to be given to clubs and booking agents. A&R directors don't care about this information yet and don't have time to look at it now. Have all equipment in an ordered sequence with all equipment to be supplied by the club owner available and easily read. Again, try to supply all of the equipment or at least most, to appeal to the cost saving side of the club owner.

Reviews/Newspaper/Press Clips Include all quality source of reviews, newspaper articles and press clippings you have, but if you have a multitude of this source of press kit info, obviously include the most relevant and up to date. Place these together. Remember your job is to be succinct with your press kit and to make it easy as possible for the individual reviewing your press kit to find information.

Quotes A quotes page is a great addition to any press kit. Print this on glossy paper and use all of the relevant quotes you have. Print in a large, and easy to read font. Slightly artistical fonts are ok, but it must be readable - Readable over artistic here. You might try different fonts for different quotes, but don't go crazy - Try to fill the whole page with quotes. Obtain quotes from a variety of sources within the music arena, but make sure they are credible.

(back to ReelMusican.com Services)