Bookers, journalists, and festival programmers receive hundreds of pitches. They don't have time to dig through poorly organized folders or hunt for basic information. A solid EPK gives them everything they need in one place.
The problem is that most EPK advice hasn't changed since 2010. Static PDFs, downloaded MP3s, and zip folders feel dated. Here's how to build an EPK that actually works in 2026.
What Every EPK Needs
Start with the essentials. Everything else is optional.
A Short Bio
Two to three paragraphs maximum. First paragraph: who you are, where you're from, what you sound like. Second paragraph: notable achievements (press mentions, touring history, streaming numbers if they're impressive). Third paragraph: what you're working on now.
Bookers skim. Front-load the most important information. Few people will read a 500-word origin story before deciding whether to click play.
Music That Plays Instantly
The music is the point. It should be playable without downloading anything. Embedded players or direct streaming links work best. Avoid asking people to download files or sign into services.
Choose three to five tracks that represent your best work. If you're pitching for a specific opportunity (festival, opening slot, blog feature), lead with the track most relevant to that audience.
High-Quality Photos
Include two to three press photos in high resolution (at least 2000 pixels wide). One horizontal, one vertical, one that works for either. Venues need these for posters and social media. Make them easy to download.
Phone photos in bad lighting won't cut it. Invest in a proper photo shoot. It doesn't need to be expensive, but it needs to look professional.
Contact Information
This seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how many EPKs bury or omit contact info. Include an email address (not just a contact form), the best way to reach you, and who handles booking if it's not you.
Social and Streaming Links
Link to Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, and any other platforms where you have a meaningful presence. Don't include every platform you've ever signed up for. Stick to the ones you actively use.
What's Optional (But Helpful)
- Press quotes, if you have them from recognizable outlets
- Logos for venue posters
- Stage plot and technical requirements (for booking inquiries)
- Video content (live performance footage or music videos)
- Streaming numbers, if they're impressive
Only include these if they strengthen your pitch. A quote from a blog nobody has heard of doesn't help. Streaming numbers under 10K monthly listeners might hurt more than help.
Common EPK Mistakes
The 15-Page PDF
These rarely get read. Bookers will open it, see a wall of text, and close it. Keep your written content to one page if you're using a PDF at all.
Broken or Expired Links
Links rot. That SoundCloud private link you sent last year might be gone. That Google Drive folder might have been reorganized. Every link in your EPK should be checked regularly.
Music That Requires Downloading
"Download our EP and let me know what you think!" is an immediate skip. Most industry people won't download random files from unknown artists. Make your music playable in the browser.
Outdated Information
PDFs freeze your EPK in time. When you release new music, land a press feature, or update your touring schedule, you have to recreate and redistribute the whole thing. Static documents become outdated fast.
Too Many Tracks
Your entire discography isn't an EPK. Bookers want to hear your best three to five songs, not wade through a 20-track anthology. Curate ruthlessly.
Modern Alternatives to the Traditional EPK
The static PDF EPK made sense when email attachments were the primary way to share information. That era is over.
Your Website
A dedicated press or EPK page on your website can work well. It's always up to date, easy to share, and you control the presentation completely. The downside: many artist websites are poorly maintained or hard to navigate.
EPK Services
Tools like Sonicbids and ReverbNation offer EPK builders. They work, though they often look generic and come with branding that makes you look like every other band on the platform.
Your Album or Artist Page as a Living EPK
Here's an approach that's gaining traction: instead of maintaining a separate EPK, use a dedicated artist page that's always current.
Gatefolded pages, for example, can serve as a living EPK. You have your music with streaming playback, links to all your platforms, the ability to update instantly when you release new work, and the option to add private access for press if needed. One link that always has your latest music, streaming links, and contact info.
The advantage: you're not maintaining two separate presences. Your EPK and your public-facing artist page are the same thing.
What Bookers and Press Actually Look At
After talking to venue bookers and music journalists, here's what they say matters:
- Can they play your music immediately without leaving their inbox?
- Do you sound professional in the first 30 seconds?
- Is there enough context to write about you (bio, photos, basic story)?
- Can they find your contact information within 10 seconds?
That's it. Everything else is bonus material. Meet those four requirements and you're ahead of most submissions.
Putting It Together
The best EPK is the one you'll actually keep updated. A simple landing page with instant-play music, a short bio, good photos, and clear contact info will outperform an elaborate PDF that's three years out of date.
Focus on making it easy for busy people to hear your music and reach you. Everything else is secondary.