Whether you're ready to promote your band, book shows, or get signed, you're going to need to have a presskit ready to go. Every band's press kit has three things you must include:
1. Cover Letter
Describe your unique position in a paragraph or two. Use the cover letter like a conversation. If you were in the elevator with the A&R Rep, what would you say to get them interested in just a few seconds. More than a few paragraphs and you're uniqueness is too hard to describe, which means it's too hard for the A&R Rep to promote.
2. Demo CD
Put your best songs first, or better yet put a sticky note saying which two tracks to listen to first (and no, all of your songs aren't equally great). If you don't know, take a poll and have other people decide for you.
3. Band Photo
No, you don't need a press shoot. Just a good picture (8x10 black/white or color) that shows every person in the band, with the lead singer in front. Not too far away - the Rep needs to see your faces. And not too close - from the knees up is usually a good rule of thumb. And nothing out of sync. Don't take a picture at a sports bar just because it looks cool when you're a country-western band.
