How to Build a Press Kit (EPK) for Your Music
A press kit is everything a blog, radio station or promoter needs to write about your release, in one place. Get it right, and saying yes to you gets easy. Here is what goes in, what to leave out, and real examples to learn from. đž
What a press kit is
A press kit is a collection of files about one release: the music, the cover, photos and a few texts. Journalists get lots of music every week. A good press kit saves them time, so your release has a better chance of being picked.
Share it as one link, never as a pile of attachments. Email puts limits on file size, and some mail apps shrink your photos without telling you. A link to a folder or a press kit page keeps every file at full quality, and it never bounces.
What goes in: the checklist
These are the pieces a blog or promoter looks for. The first five are a must. The rest make you look professional, and they make the job easier for whoever writes about you.
| What | Format | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Music | MP3 to listen, WAV or FLAC for radio | Masters, not demos |
| Cover art | JPG or PNG, 3000 Ă 3000 px | The same file as in the stores |
| Press photos | 3 to 5 JPGs, full resolution | Both portrait and landscape |
| Bio | A short one and a long one | About 50 and 200 words |
| Press release | One page, PDF | Who, what, when, and why it matters |
| Logo | PNG with a clear background, plus SVG | Only if you have one |
| Video | 30 to 60 seconds, vertical or square | Optional, but it helps |
| Links and contact | Release link, socials, one email | Check every link works |
Music: two versions of every track
Give people an MP3 to listen to right away. Itâs small, and it plays anywhere. Add a WAV or FLAC for radio and anyone who wants the best quality. Always the final masters, never a demo or a rough mix. And if the release isnât out yet, thatâs fine. Hearing it early is exactly why they need your kit.
Press photos: no photos, no feature
This is the part artists skip most often, and the one that matters most. Without a good photo, most blogs simply canât use your release. The good news: you donât need a photographer.
- Shoot in daylight. Soft light outside, or by a big window, beats any lamp.
- Pick a background with some character. A brick wall, an old building, trees, graffiti. Anything but a messy room.
- Mix it up. Close and far away, different angles, portrait and landscape.
- A phone is fine. Afterwards, adjust the contrast, brightness and sharpness a little. Small changes, no heavy filters.
- Upload full size, and credit the photographer. A blog can make a photo smaller, but never bigger.
The texts: bio and press release
Your bio tells who you are. Write two: a short one of about 50 words for a quick mention, and a longer one of about 200 words for a real article. Write it in the third person, so a journalist can copy it straight in.
The press release is about this release. One page is enough: what it is, when it comes out, the story behind it, and why it matters now. A good quote from you makes it come alive. End with your contact details.
Need help with the words? Our guides on finding your subject work for bios too. The story behind a song is often the best hook.
Logo and video: the nice to haves
A logo is optional, but if you have one, include it. A PNG with a clear background for everyday use, and a vector file (SVG or AI) for designers who make posters and festival flyers.
Video is optional too, and itâs worth it. Short clips of 30 to 60 seconds are easy to share. Make them vertical (9:16) for reels and stories, or square for a feed. They donât need a big budget. A good performance, filmed on a phone, is enough.
Real press kits, from Spotlight
The best way to learn is to look at real ones. These are the newest releases featured in Spotlight, with a look at what their press kits hold. Where the artist has made the kit public, you can open it and see how the cover, photos, tracks and texts come together. The list updates by itself as new releases get featured. âš
How to send it
- Send early. Reach out a few weeks before release day, so there is time to listen and plan an article.
- Keep the email short and personal. Use their name, say why your release fits what they write about, and put the press kit link at the top.
- One link, not ten files. Everything in one place, easy to find again next week.
- Follow up once. A friendly reminder after a week is fine. After that, move on.
Common mistakes
- Demos or rough mixes instead of the final masters.
- Small or blurry photos, or no photos at all.
- A bio from three years ago that doesnât match the new music.
- No contact email, or links that donât work.
- One press kit for everything, instead of one per release.
Build yours with Trenodo
Press Kit gives every single, EP and album its own press kit, with one link to share. Your files stay at full size, and you can see who opened the kit, played your music and downloaded your photos. Itâs free right now.
Every press kit also puts your release on our list for Spotlight. Who knows, yours could be the next example on this page. đ¶
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a press kit and an EPK?
None, really. EPK stands for electronic press kit. It is the same thing, just online instead of a folder of printed photos and a CD. Today, every press kit is an EPK.
How many press photos do I need?
Three to five is a good number. Give a blog a choice, but not so many that they have to spend time picking. Include at least one portrait and one landscape photo, so they fit both a phone screen and a website banner.
Is it safe to share my music before the release date?
Yes, with the people you pitch to. That's the point: a blog needs to hear the song before it comes out, to write about it on release day. Share it through a private link, not as a public post.
Do I need a new press kit for every release?
Yes. A blog writing about your new single needs that single's cover, music and press release. Not photos and text from an album two years ago. Your bio can stay the same, as long as you keep it up to date.
Where can I make a press kit for free?
Trenodo Press Kit is free right now. You get one press kit per release, one link to share, and stats on who opened it, played your music and downloaded your files.