Today in the music industry, competition is fierce. Getting the attention of labels and agents can be virtually impossible if you don’t approach it in the right way. In order to try and help bands and artists succeed, this guide is our insider knowledge on how to put together a professional EPK.

EPK stands for Electronic Press Kit. It is effectively a résumé or CV for your band or act. EPKs are submitted by email to labels, agents, promoters, venues - anyone who needs to understand your act and your music in a nutshell. An EPK usually takes the form of a PDF (or similar) sent out attached to an email. Your EPK should show pictures of the band, contain links to audio tracks and list your achievements. It should explain to the reader who you are, what your ideas are and where you want to go.

• Your band name (or act name)

• Your logo, if you have one

• Your website and links to social media profiles

• A list of your band members

• A succinct bio about your band which describes your style of music, your successes to date and your plans for the future

• Good quality, up-to-date photographs

• A link to somewhere we can listen to your music, whether that is your website, Youtube, Soundcloud or similar

• Short, recent quotes from reviews or press articles

• A link to a list of your upcoming shows

• Your contact information

• Treat the EPK and the cover email as a serious application. You don't get a second chance at a first impression.

• Select and include your best material.

• Make sure your EPK represents your band and its members in a true light.

• Keep your EPK concise and relevant. Avoid repetition.

• Include up-to-date pictures.

• List all of your upcoming gigs and events, just in case the label is interested in attending one of them.

• Pick a person to address your email to, even if the person is the record label themselves.

• Send the email from one person that we can address by name.

• Get someone to proof-read your email and PDF to check for any spelling mistakes.

• Do not submit your work to a label if you are a covers band. Your work must be original.

• Do not lie or exaggerate.

• Do not attach large files to your email. Keep your PDF attachment as small as possible. Instead, use links to content on the web, such as Soundcloud or Youtube.

• Don’t send .zip files or other compressed folders attached to your email. These will not get opened.

• Whilst it is important for you to be confident, don’t oversell. If you claim to be the "best band on the planet" then you best be able to back that up... otherwise your claim of excellence may well be the measure by which you are rejected.

• Do not repeatedly submit to the same label or pester the label for a response. Bombarding a label with correspondence could push you to the back of the queue.

• Don’t include things you don’t play, or can't replicate at a live show.

Labels are looking for individuality, talent and most importantly a band or act that can be promoted to the wider world. If one final thing should be considered above all others…

Be honest with yourself about your music. Are you ready to approach a label, or do you need more time to perfect your craft? When you have checked all of the advice and criteria above, and would like to send us your EPK, fill out the form below.

We wish you the very best of luck with your submissions.