SHR4C007R~002 Option 2: Electronic Press Kit Template
Task 1: Electronic Press Kit
Task 2: Supporting Commentary
An Electronic Press Kit (EPK) is not just a digital portfolio, but a professional music resume and a powerful networking tool. It is designed to make information readily available to other industry professionals, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations. In the music industry, where networking and visibility are crucial, an EPK can be a key instrument in gaining work and building professional relationships. This project, creating an EPK, is designed to assist in professional development, helping to understand the form one takes, how to make one, and their place and purpose in the music industry, including how it impacts an artist’s career.
The creation of my EPK was a collaborative journey, heavily influenced by the group seminars and the discussions held within them. These shared learning experiences were instrumental in shaping my EPK, as they focused on determining our target audience and how this may impact the EPK’s form. For example, the appearance and contents of a pop band’s EPK differ significantly from those of a classical instrumentalist, with the latter being much more formal.
As a classical performer, I realised that my EPK needed to be tailored to appeal to those working in the classical sector to increase my chances of getting work. This realisation led me to look at examples made by Eric Salazar (n.d.), Jeeyoon Kim (2025), and Chris Marshall (2023), all artists from the classical sphere, to help me achieve the correct tone and content. Each included similar elements- an artist bio, previous experience, and contact information- so I used these as the foundation for my EPK. An artist bio is a short paragraph with key information about the artist and their profession, which I then followed with the details of my education and past work. Salazar (n.d.) also included an idea of his goals, writing ‘I want to share [music] with as many people as possible’. This led me to include the line ‘a drive to secure and widen [access to classical music] for the next generation’ in my own EPK, conveying one of my personal goals.
As for style, they were all relatively pared back and professional, so I chose a formal font and a simple colour scheme with a very neutral tone. They also all included a headshot. I decided to follow Salazar’s example (n.d.) in this, as we are both classical clarinettists, so I chose a photograph of me dressed formally with my instrument before a concert.
This market research has also pointed out my weaknesses as an artist, particularly in a business sense. My EPK lacks both length and depth. The artist’s bio could use a unique selling point, but I have yet to figure out what mine is. Also, the amount of past experiences is limited, as demonstrated by the inclusion of a skills list rather than being able to attach them to work I have done in complete sentences.
In addition, the example EPKs have features that mine lacks. They contain portfolios of recordings demonstrating their skills, but as I have yet to create any professional ones, I cannot include any. Kim (2025), Marshall (2023) and Salazar (n.d.) also include links to social media, which showcase their work and talents. While I have included a link to my Instagram, it is currently empty of any posts. This, alongside having no reviews, means the viewer has only my word on my skills and lacks any outside proof, making them less likely to hire me. A few of them also link to other revenue streams, with Salazar (n.d.) linking to his Spotify and Kim (2025) her book, which is an idea I should explore.
Despite being mainly professional, some of the example EPKs include flavour text that injects a little personality. For example, Salazar (n.d.) writes that he is a ‘fun-loving nerd’ while listing a few hobbies, whereas Kim (2025) links to a Padlet page (Kim, n.d.) where she includes a list of ‘Fun Facts’. These serve to both humanise the artist and make them more approachable. I did consider adding something like this, but, with the professional section so short, I thought it would unbalance the formal tone I was aiming for.
Another topic raised in the group discussions was the place of the EPK in the modern age of social media. Instagram has become an increasingly important tool for artists and serves many of the same functions as an EPK. It displays an artist’s talents and is a point of contact for interested parties. However, it is vastly different in tone. Instagram serves as a shop window for artists and is very good at outreach, whereas an EPK is much more professional. It demonstrates an artist’s commitment and depicts them as a business, presenting an air of credibility. The professional tone of an EPK not only enhances an artist’s image but also serves as a helpful place for anyone an artist is working with to gain PR materials. The invention of Instagram has not replaced the need for an EPK, but is an important tool to develop alongside it.
The group seminars were also helpful in generating and refining ideas. The collaborative environment allowed us to bring ideas forward to the group and improve them together. For example, I had some points that I was unsure how to work into my EPK, which led someone to suggest I include a skills list, allowing me to fit them in. Receiving feedback on a draft of my EPK was also enlightening, as it not only gave me ideas for improvement but also gave me confidence in the rest of the work. My contributions in discussions hopefully helped others in the group with their EPKs as well.
Before publishing this EPK, securing the copyright for the image used would be crucial. This involves identifying the original creators of the photo, obtaining their permission to use it in my EPK, and possibly paying a licensing fee. However, names are already protected by law, so obtaining a trademark would not be necessary at this time. That said, securing website domains to host the EPK and obtaining social media handles would be very beneficial. It would ensure that I would be the first result if someone searched my name, enhancing my online visibility and professional image, and avoiding possible confusion.
Creating and publishing the EPK would cost money. Hosting the page online and securing the rights to use the image comes at an expense, with hosting being an ongoing fee. I would also pay for better graphic design by paying for premium software, such as Canva Pro, or even hiring a graphic designer. However, this would be justifiable, as the financial benefit would outweigh the initial expenditure. The work gained through having an EPK would pay in more than it costs, providing a return on investment.
Despite my EPK’s flaws, this project has provided a good foundation for my professional journey. I have gained further understanding of the importance and benefits of an EPK, and examining those made by other artists has provided insight into their contents and appearance. It has also led me to develop the skills to create one of my own, for example, using Canva.
Most importantly, however, it has led to an awareness of my weaknesses and the steps I need to take to improve as a professional musician. Forming a formal portfolio of recordings would be highly beneficial, as would creating an Instagram page, with a more relaxed feel, alongside it. It has re-emphasised the importance of experience, reminding me to actively seek out any opportunities I can. In addition, it would be worth continuing to reflect on myself as an musician and my career, which will help me find my unique selling point and further narrow down the audience I want to appeal to.
Bibliography
Kim, J. (2025) Electronic Press Kit Available online: https://www.jeeyoonkim.com/epk-1 [Accessed 17/05/2025]
Kim, J. (n.d.) Learn more about pianist Jeeyoon Kim (The Conference Edition for presenters) Available online: https://padlet.com/jeeyoonkimpianist/learn-more-about-pianist-jeeyoon-kim-the-conference-edition–o1yp1wkosyjl1h95 [Accessed 20/05/2025]
Marshall, C. (2023) EPK Available online: https://www.marshallmusic.co.uk/epk [Accessed 17/05/2025]
Salazar, E. (n.d.) Biography Available online: https://www.ericsalazarclarinet.com/biography [Accessed 17/05/2025]
