Presskit.to - A New Online Mobile Presskit For Bands to connect with Industry Professionals

This looks like it could be a useful online application, Presskit.to, is the music industry’s first cross platform portfolio web app designed to aid individuals in organizing, protecting, & sharing their creative identities. Consider it a digital business card for the 21st century that houses all of your relevant career info and media without the clutter of social networks and official websites.

Presskit.to, the first product from Boston-based music-tech startup Indie Ambassador, was created after its founders, all of whom are lifelong music entrepreneurs in their own right (see below), realized there was no tool designed to allow their demographic to neatly and securely showcase their projects in a manner that was ideal for industry professionals to access and interpret.

The app allows users to grant select access to unreleased content (audio, video, images, & files) via private streaming and download, while assigning custom expiration dates from a mobile accessible dashboard. A recent integration with SoundCloud is the first of many third-party services that will be built into the app in the coming weeks.

Currently in private Beta, Presskit.to is optimized for use across all Internet connected devices, enabling users to proficiently network in-person and online. 

Link

http://presskit.to/

5 tricks to a compelling press kit

This post from Music Globalization might seem to just be a few ideas on how to get the most 'bang for your buck' out of your press kit - which it does admirably.

But, it's more than that because the tips delve into what your press kit is saying about you, your music and your band - and gives insight into what the 'players' receiving it are going to think about you.

For example, anyone in the industry will read a lot into what you've listed as your tour dates (see the piece), but that doesn't mean that you need to make it up. What you need to do is have a touring plan that builds you an audience and sees you covering some geographical area worthy of note. Do it, then you can put it in your press kit and impress those you need on your side.

Read the post with that idea of applying the tips to your band first so that you can then write about them - it's like a microcosm of what you need to do to get noticed by the established industry. Even if you are 100% DIY, and may never need a press kit as such, these tips will help you build a more effective presence and fanbase.

Read it here.

And for a more trad view on what should go in there (for pushing the boat out and appealing to the 'established industry') - try this article.

My take - most bands don't need a press kit most of the time! You will want somehing to send to venues and promoters to get gigs (but a link can often do this), and for everything else, as a DIY musician, your site should be able to do all the talking. I'd only ever send one to someone you've already connected with, and I'd tailor it as in point 1 of the main article - which is great advice.

But, the alternative take is that you never know where one might land and what chance that might create and so liberally sending them out has it's proponents too!