PRESS KITS
   There’s one basic rule to follow when you’re putting together a press kit: less is generally more. “A press kit is a necessary evil. Send a photo and a brief biography with not too much hype. It doesn’t matter how good your mom or friends think you are, just send the important facts an A&R person needs to know.”

COVER LETTER
• A brief letter outlining who you are and what you want — for example, whether you’re looking for a distribution deal, or a review, or you’d like to play a certain venue.

MUSIC
• Include a well-produced CD of your best material. If you can’t afford to mass-produce CDs, just burn a dozen or so onto CDRs. CDs are more likely to get listened to than a cassette.

BIO/CV
• Keep it to one page.
• To get the material for the bio, have a friend interview you about your background, style, lyrics, inspiration, live show and aspirations. Or you can hire a publicist or music journalist to write it for you. Cost ranges from $200 to $500.
• Avoid hype like “the next Beatles” or superlatives like “brilliant.” Everyone knows who wrote or commissioned the bio — you!
• Try to pinpoint the style of music as precisely as possible. “A sound all its own” is a common phrase that makes many people roll their eyes. Even if you create a unique type of music, it can be described.
• Keep it straightforward; don’t be funny or cute, as in “The band descended from outer space to conquer planet earth with its brand of rock.”

PHOTO
• You don’t need to include photos in all your kits. Radio, TV and A&R do not need photos. If a publication chooses to write about you, it will phone for a photo. Make sure you have a black-and-white 8 by 10. Most want a horizontal shot, and many may want it e-mailed. Some publications prefer colour shots, so do your homework first.
• Find a good photographer. If the photo is arty, grainy or distorted, most publications will not run it, and they will likely kill a story without a photo.
• Avoid clichés: shots with instruments or poses against brick walls or in alleys.

PRESS
• Only include big stories — either mentions in major publications or informative articles that don’t regurgitate your bio.
• Do not include club listings or one-sentence event listings.

PACKAGING
• Just an envelope. Folders will end up in the recycle bin or garbage, and are an unnecessary cost. They also require bigger envelopes, which adds weight and means you will pay more postage.

Miscellaneous
• Novelty items also likely end up in the garbage. If you really want to send such items, make them something people will use such as pens, notepads or matchbooks. Even stickers, key chains, postcards, posters, buttons and mousepads will probably get tossed.
• Don’t pack your kits in shredded paper or styrofoam beads that will make a mess and annoy the receiver.
• Make sure your name and phone number are on everything: the cover letter, the jewel case and CD (they could separate), the photo and the bio. If people want more, they’ll ask for it.
TIPS :
* Organization should consist of the most important facts first to the least important facts.
* Rule #1, Avoid All Hype !!!
* The press release should be double-spaced on your letterhead paper. On the upper right of the page, type the words, "For Immediate Release" and underneath include the date. The upper left hand corner should have the contact person, name, address, phone, email, so people will know who to get in touch with for additional information.