EPK Template for Musicians: What to Include in Your Press Kit
By Joseph Cheek · Published 11 October 2026
An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) is a digital press kit that gives journalists, radio presenters, venue bookers and other music industry contacts the essential information they need about your project. In this article, we’ll break down the layout of a killer EPK, from your artist bio and featured music to press photos, release details and contact information.
You can use the copy-and-fill template below to prepare your content before building an online EPK or creating a document. It works for solo artists and bands, whether you are putting together your first press kit or refreshing an existing one.
If you would like more background first, read what an EPK is. For the full creation process, follow our step-by-step guide to making an EPK.
What should an EPK template include?
A practical music EPK template should cover five core areas: your identity, artist bio, music, press photos and contact information.
Video, release details, press coverage and live performance information can strengthen the kit when they support your pitch. You do not need to fill every section to create a professional introduction.
| Section | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Artist identity | Artist or band name, location, a clear lead image and a brief description of your sound |
| Short artist bio | A concise introduction to who you are, what you sound like and what you are doing now |
| Long artist bio | Additional story, background and relevant career details |
| Featured music | Clearly labelled songs or releases with working listening links |
| Press photos | Current promotional images, suitable publication files and photographer credits |
| Video | A relevant music video or representative live performance |
| Release information | Release title, date, artwork and the story behind the project, where relevant |
| Press and highlights | Accurate achievements, attributed quotes and links to genuine coverage |
| Contact | A monitored email address and clearly labelled representatives, if applicable |
The template is a starting point. Give your strongest and most relevant material priority, and leave out sections that do not help someone understand or assess your project.
Copy-and-fill EPK template
Copy this template into a document and replace the bracketed prompts with your own information. It is a content worksheet: you can use the finished material in an Artist EPK or another format that suits the recipient.
Remove prompts and unused sections before sharing your finished press kit.
ARTIST OR BAND NAME [Your artist name, using the same spelling as your releases] AT A GLANCE Based in: [City, region or country] Sound: [A brief, specific description of your music] Current focus: [New release, upcoming live activity or artist introduction] Lead image: [Your chosen image filename or asset link] SHORT ARTIST BIO [Introduce the artist, location and sound. Add one or two details that distinguish your project, then explain what is happening now.] LONG ARTIST BIO [Expand on your musical background, songwriting or creative approach. Include the story behind your current work and relevant, accurate career highlights.] FEATURED MUSIC Title: [Song, EP or album title] Listening link: [A working link the recipient can access] Release date: [Date, if relevant] About the music: [A brief explanation of the song or project] Audio download: [Include if appropriate and available] Advance access instructions: [Only if needed for unreleased music] PRESS PHOTOS [Image filenames or links to suitable promotional files] Photographer credit: [Correct credit for each image, where required] VIDEO Title or description: [What the clip shows] Watch: [Working video link] RELEASE INFORMATION [Use this section when pitching a particular release] Release title: [Title] Release date: [Date] Artwork: [Filename or asset link] Release story: [What the release is about and what makes it relevant] Press release: [Add the text or a link, if useful] Embargo instructions: [Include only if applicable] PRESS COVERAGE AND HIGHLIGHTS [Relevant review, interview, performance or achievement] Source or event: [Name] Link: [Supporting link, where available] Quote: [A short, accurate quote with attribution, if you use one] LIVE PERFORMANCE INFORMATION [Use this section when pitching shows or festivals] Act or lineup: [Solo, duo, band or other configuration] Live footage: [Representative performance video link] Relevant experience: [Accurate performance highlights] Technical information: [Stage plot or other details, if appropriate] CONTACT General enquiries: [Name and email] Press: [Name and email, if different] Bookings: [Name and email, if different] Website: [Link, if you have one] Social profiles: [Selected relevant links]
How to fill in each section
Use the prompts to organise your material, then edit it for someone discovering your music for the first time.
Artist identity and introduction
Use your artist name consistently across the kit, music links and contact details. If you are a band, make it clear that the kit represents the group.
Describe your sound in terms someone can understand. Genre, instrumentation, mood and songwriting approach can all help, but choose the details that best represent your music.
Keep the opening focused. Someone should quickly recognise the artist and understand which project or release they are being introduced to.
Short and long artist bios
Your short bio should answer three questions: who are you, what does your music sound like and what is happening now?
A useful starting structure is:
[Artist name] is a [type of act] based in [location], making [specific description of the music]. [A distinctive detail about the project or creative approach]. [Current release or activity].
Rewrite the structure in your own voice rather than treating it as a finished sentence formula.
Your longer bio can explain the story behind those details. Include background that helps someone understand the music, such as how the project formed, what shapes your writing or how your current release developed.
Write in the third person if you want media contacts to be able to adapt the bio easily. Keep both versions factual and avoid unsupported claims about your status or success.
Featured music and release information
Lead with the music you want the recipient to hear. Label tracks clearly and make the listening option easy to find.
If you are pitching a new release, include its title, release date and a concise explanation of its story. Your bio introduces the artist; the release information explains the project you are promoting.
For unreleased music, test access while signed out of your account and label any advance access or embargo instructions clearly. Follow a radio station’s requirements if it needs downloadable audio rather than a streaming link.
Press photos and video
Choose current images that represent your artist identity. Include suitable high-resolution files for publication and photographer credits where required.
Use video with a clear purpose. A music video can support a release pitch, while representative live footage can help a booker assess your act.
Check that the files and links open for the intended recipient. Links to folders that require your personal login will not give them the access they need.
Press coverage and career highlights
Choose relevant, verifiable highlights. These might include a review, an interview, a notable performance or another achievement that adds useful context.
Attribute quotes accurately and link to their sources where available. If you do not have coverage yet, leave the section out. Your music, story and presentation can introduce the project without a collection of reviews.
Contact information
Include a monitored email address and make it clear who handles the enquiry.
If you manage everything yourself, one contact is enough. If you have separate press and booking representatives, label them so people know whom to approach.
Add useful website and social links, but keep the direct contact address easy to find.
How should you adapt the template for different EPKs?
Keep the same core information, then change the emphasis to match the purpose of the kit.
Artist EPK template
Use an Artist EPK to introduce your overall project. Give priority to your short and long bios, representative music, current photos and contact details.
Add supporting video, press coverage or highlights where they help someone understand your identity and current work.
Release EPK template
Use a Release EPK to focus on a particular single, EP or album. Make the release title, music, artwork, date and story prominent.
Include the artist background needed to understand the project, then add relevant publicity material and clear access instructions for advance music.
Live Performance EPK template
Use a Live Performance EPK to support booking enquiries. Make it easy to hear your sound, see your act on stage and find the booking contact.
Include the lineup you are offering, relevant performance experience and representative live footage. Add a stage plot or technical information when it is useful to the enquiry.
You can start with one general kit and create more focused versions as your needs develop.
Does an EPK template need to be a PDF?
No. An EPK template can be a content worksheet, a document layout or an online structure for preparing your press kit.
A PDF can be useful as a format for the finished EPK when someone requests a document or you need a fixed version. An online EPK brings listening options, video and supporting material together in one shareable page.
Use the format that suits the opportunity. If you create a PDF EPK, test its exported links. If you build an online EPK, check the page and media access while signed out.
Generally, an online EPK is the best option for most situations because it is easy to access, avoids cluttering inboxes with large PDFs and keeps everything a media contact needs in one place without requiring them to open separate Google Drive folders from a document.
Can you use this template if you are just starting out?
Yes. Use the sections that match the material you have now, then expand the kit as your career develops.
A clear bio, representative music, a good photo and a working contact address can form a useful first EPK. You do not need a record deal, a large following or press coverage.
A template helps you spot missing essentials. It should not pressure you to invent achievements or add weak material to fill a section.
Check your completed EPK before sharing
Before sending your EPK, make sure:
- Your artist name and contact details are correct.
- The priority song or release is easy to find.
- Music, video and download links work for the intended recipient.
- Photos are current and required credits are included.
- Release dates and any advance access instructions are accurate.
- All bracketed prompts and unused sections have been removed.
- The EPK reads well on both a phone and a computer.
Keep a copy of your source materials so you can update the EPK when you release music, change contacts or develop your live show.
See a finished EPK example
Explore the Artist EPK by Slow Gin to see how these elements fit together in a finished press kit.
Use it as a reference for clarity and presentation, then adapt the template to your own music and goals. Our EPK examples walkthrough breaks down what each element achieves.
Turn your content into a professional EPK with Artist EPK
Artist EPK is an EPK builder designed to help musicians create professional press kits in minutes. Bring your prepared bio, music, photos and supporting material together in a polished layout, then share one link with media and industry contacts.
Use the worksheet above to prepare your content, choose a curated layout and check the finished EPK before sending it. You can start with a free Artist EPK, with Release and Live Performance kits available on eligible paid plans.