How to Create an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for Musicians

If you’re an independent musician, DJ, songwriter or band, one of the most important tools you’ll need is a professional EPK (Electronic Press Kit) – also known as a press or media pack. But what is an EPK, why does it matter, and how do you make one that grabs attention?  

In this guide, we’ll explore what an EPK is, show you some examples, and walk through everything a musician should include in an EPK – from your bio and images to music links and press materials. We’ll also cover who to send your EPK to, so by the end, you’ll know exactly how to create an electronic press kit that stands out and helps advance your music career.

At WaterBear, we offer music degree courses taught by some of the music industry’s most accomplished professionals, delivered in Brighton, Sheffield, and online.

1. What is an EPK?
2. What to Include in an EPK
3. Writing an Artist Bio for Your EPK
4. Showcasing Your Music in Your EPK
5. Promotional Photos and Videos for Your EPK
6. EPK Templates
7. How to Distribute Your EPK
8. Your EPK and Music Career

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) is a digital portfolio (usually a one-page online document) that acts as your professional business card. You might sometimes hear it being called a media kit or press pack, these are essentially the same thing.  

An EPK is designed to showcase your music, achievements, and story to key industry contacts like promoters, booking agents, record labels, festival organisers, and potential managers. It’s also a practical tool for journalists and bloggers who need quick access to your music, visuals, and press-ready information.

A strong EPK can boost your visibility, help you secure gigs, generate press coverage, and open doors to new collaborations.

At WaterBear, our Artist Development and Music Industries teams are always on hand to support you with any aspect of your career development – including advice on EPKs, press releases, and artist branding.

Not sure what to include in your electronic press kit? A well-structured EPK helps independent musicians, bands, and artists showcase their music, brand, and achievements to promoters, venues, record labels, and media contacts.

Here’s a checklist of things to include:

• Artist/band bio 

• Links to your music 

• Promotional photos 

• Live performance and music videos 

• Website and merch links 

• Social media links 

• Tour dates 

• Media links and quotes 

• Artwork and logos 

• Contact details 

• Tech rider and stage plan (optional) 

Your bio is one of the most important parts of your EPK. It tells your story and helps industry professionals quickly understand who you are.  

• Engaging Intro: Start with an engaging introduction to capture attention. 

• Background Story: Provide a brief, interesting background story with your career highlights. 

• Members’ Names: Include the names of band members (if relevant). 

• Projects and Tours: Mention your latest or upcoming projects, releases, or tours. 

• Quotes: Include interesting quotes or testimonials. 

• Bio Length: To suit different media needs, prepare bios of different lengths. Include an elevator pitch of a couple of lines, a paragraph of 150 words, and perhaps another bio with two paragraphs. 

• Proofread: An EPK is a professional document, so make sure you proofread and perhaps run it through a spelling and grammar checker. 

Here is an artist bio example used by the band Orchards:

Born from Brighton’s diverse musical breeding ground, indie quartet Orchards are among the cities brightest rising stars. Comprised of lifelong friends Sam Rushton (guitar) and Dan Fane (bass/vocals), who met vocalist Lucy Evers within their first week at university, the band are a resplendent mix of summer melodies and stellar hooks that threaten to be stuck in your head for days. 

“Twiddly, fiddly math-rock riffs chucked in a Nutribullet with the bombast and ambition of pop music” – Noisey

Your music is the centrepiece of your EPK, so it’s crucial to showcase it effectively. 

• Music Links: Provide direct streaming links such as Spotify or SoundCloud for convenience. If you wish to provide MP3 or WAV files, link via Dropbox or another cloud provider. 

• Best Track First: Lead with your strongest, most polished track to grab attention immediately. 

• Radio-Friendly: Make sure all tracks are free from explicit content (swearing, substance abuse, graphic violence) to increase playability. 

• High Quality: Only include tracks you’re proud of; poor recordings can damage your reputation. 

Visuals, such as press shots and live videos, play a central role in your brand identity and are an area that will have a big impact on your promotion. 

• High-Res and Low-Res Images: Include a mix of high-resolution (300 dpi) for print and low-resolution (72 dpi) for web use. 

• Professional Photography: Aim for professional shots that reflect your brand, whether studio or outdoor. 

• Variety of Angles: Provide headshots, full-length images, and live performance shots in both landscape and portrait formats to suit different media needs. 

• Research Ideas: You may already have a clear vision of your brand, but if you don’t, look at artists and bands you admire within your genre to get some inspiration. Perhaps create a Pinterest mood board of your favourite shots. 

Here is an example press image for the band Everyday Saints: 

Videos can make your EPK more dynamic and engaging. Promoters are more likely to book you if they can see how you perform live. Whether it’s a performance or lyric video, prioritise high visual and sound production value where possible. 

There’re many online digital resources you can use to easily design and format your press kit. 

Canva – Canva is a great online platform and is free to use, they also have media kit templates and examples to help get you started. You can create an EPK on Canva that can be downloaded as a PDF or created as a shareable link, allowing for dynamic updates and easy access for industry professionals.  

Wix – Websites such as Wix offer EPK templates and tools to create press kits and one-page websites. The advantage of using a website such as Wix for your EPK is that it looks professional and is very easy to update. An EPK can also be combined as part of a complete website.  

Using a template ensures your electronic press kit looks polished, accessible, and is simple to update. 

Once your electronic press kit is ready, the next step is distributing it to the right audience. Targeting the right contacts is essential for independent musicians, bands, and DJs looking to advance their music career. 

You could send your EPK to: 

• Booking agents and promoters 

• Venues and festival organisers 

• Record labels and managers 

• Magazines, blogs, and radio presenters 

• Music journalists and PR agencies 

Focus on contacts that align with your genre and artistic style, and prioritise individuals or organisations that have previously engaged with your music. 

Always personalise your outreach and ensure your EPK stays up to date with new releases, tour dates, and achievements to make the strongest impression.

At WaterBear, you’ll join a collaborative community of creatives and take part in performance and career opportunities, giving you the chance to build your own network of industry contacts while gaining practical experience.

A well-crafted electronic press kit is a vital tool for independent musicians, bands, DJs, and artists seeking to grow their visibility and advance their music career. A professional EPK should be easy to navigate, visually appealing, tailored to your audience, and kept up to date. 

Key Takeaways: 

• A press kit is essential for any independent artist to get noticed. 

• Include your artist bio, music, visuals, press coverage, and contact information. 

• Use tools like Canva or Wix to design a professional, easily updateable EPK. 

• Share your EPK strategically with booking agents, promoters, venues, record labels, and media contacts. 

• Keep your EPK current, professional, and customised for each audience. 

• A strong EPK can help you secure gigs, gain industry attention, and build a sustainable music career. 

Taught by active, accomplished music professionals and delivered in Brighton, Sheffield, or Online, our music degree courses are designed to give independent artists, musicians, and music professionals the skills, knowledge and industry experience needed to thrive in the modern music industry. 

To find out more about how WaterBear can support you and your music career, apply now, book an Open Day, or order a prospectus.