One sheets (if you don't know wtf these are, read this)

[God]

I was forwarded an EPK (press kit) for a band. It sucked and the music sucked.

Remember, things like one-sheets (usually the first thing anyone sees in a press kit - other than a 'personalized' cover letter) are what a prospective rep/agent sees when you "pitch" your product to them.

Here's an example of a decent one sheet (zoom in on it)
http://www.ellisonsite.com/street/images/press/PressOneSheet.jpg

Here's an example of a shitty one sheet (zoom in on it)
http://www.quartershackle.com/Press/OneSheet.gif

I have no connection to either acts - I just did a Google search and formed an opinion. You have to make a good impression - try to have something classy. Get a friend from graphic design school help you out.

But always remember, one good contact is worth 1,000 press kits.

 

[Agent Smith]

can you explain the reason the second one sucks? i think its because the graphics are wack and it looks cliche...but i want to make sure im not missing anything.

 

[Kontents]

Is it cause the first one looks like a resume and the second one looks like a concert flyer?

 

[Sincock]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that didn't get that. First impressions of both of those bands is that they probably suck. Same old same old; there was nothing there that would grab my attention.

I can see that the first one looks more like a resume and the second one like a flyer but they're different styles of music so I would expect they don't look the same.

 

[God]

can you explain the reason the second one sucks? i think its because the graphics are wack and it looks cliche...but i want to make sure im not missing anything.

1. Writing is IN ALL CAPS - THIS IS ANNOYING AS FUCK
2. DO NOT say how many promo CDs you've given out. It makes you look like a loser. They said "5,500".
3. On the back of it (on the pdf version) it has a list of "awards" they've won.
- This shows that they've been "at it" for years
- This shows that nobody is interested in them, or they would've been picked up
4. The photo is not professional - looks lame, bad management (can be fixed.)
5. Way too many unsubstantiated quotes or flowery speech. Write a one sheet like a fucking reporter would. Nobody heard of your band - yes, hype them - but not to the point of oblivion. IT'S FAKE.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that didn't get that. First impressions of both of those bands is that they probably suck. Same old same old; there was nothing there that would grab my attention.

I can see that the first one looks more like a resume and the second one like a flyer but they're different styles of music so I would expect they don't look the same.

Styles of music don't mean shit when you're dealing with one sheet. Only graphics. Professional EPKs are called "professional" for a reason.

Remember though, if your music kicks ass, the one sheet doesn't mean shit. But having a nice one sheet PLUS having all your other shit in order makes you look awesome. It makes you look like somebody that gives a shit about themselves and will want to make their representation and record company money (the main point.)

 

[Relic]

So...If you have been doing this forever and never been picked up dont mention that then?

 

[God]

So...If you have been doing this forever and never been picked up dont mention that then?

I'm not your manager, so do what you want. Would a lawyer hire an individual that has a law degree but hasn't been hired by anyone for - oh, the last 10 years? Would that raise a red flag?

I'm just saying...

 

[shadeed]

Good post Mr. G.O.D.

I would like to add that One-Sheets are especially effective in today's day and age because the people (writers/editors/show promoters and "journalists") are getting lazier and lazier and want the "Cliff Notes" version of everything music-related.

 

[Ash Holmz]

Do people ever read bios that long? I personally cant stand bios that are more than a few paragraphs at most. How long should a pro bio be??? and how detailed should you get? From my view people always have too many boring details in their shit that I lose intrest.

 

[shadeed]

Do people ever read bios that long? I personally cant stand bios that are more than a few paragraphs at most. How long should a pro bio be??? and how detailed should you get? From my view people always have too many boring details in their shit that I lose intrest.

I sure don't. A good rule of thumb is "A bio is not your life story" but include pertinent information.

I was always taught that a bio is used for writers who need information about you but have a deadline and won't be able to do an interview so they use the bio to put together the story about the artist.

I see a lot of artists put "titan-graphs" on their myspace page and I often wonder why.

Also, if your bio will be on the web, you have to give extra consideration to formatting -
add breaks/spaces in between paragraphs to make it easier to read.

 

[Ash Holmz]

^^ thanks, and i hear ya... i dont need to know about what an artists girlfriend's favorite food is or what after school club they were president of in 7th grade lol... some cats just do too much.

 

[God]

I sure don't. A good rule of thumb is "A bio is not your life story" but include pertinent information.

I was always taught that a bio is used for writers who need information about you but have a deadline and won't be able to do an interview so they use the bio to put together the story about the artist.

I see a lot of artists put "titan-graphs" on their myspace page and I often wonder why.

Also, if your bio will be on the web, you have to give extra consideration to formatting -
add breaks/spaces in between paragraphs to make it easier to read.

Clutter is the main enemy in one sheets and press kits.

One sheets or bios should have:

1. "A&R/Reporter crack": easily usable quotes, very interesting soundbites of information.
2. Formatted and easy to read. Think of using bullet points and follow the AP (Associated Press) style of writing.
3. Build your bio w/or w/o one sheets like a reporter builds their article (reverse triangle method.)
4. Too much information leads to problems on the one-sheet leads to problems. Provide relevant links to where AR can find more info (on the worthless awards you've received.)

Think of it like picking up a woman. You have a greatly packaged press kit, but leave them wanting more - and asking questions. That creates attraction. You don't spill all your guts out to a girl you just met, do you? (if you do, there's a problem).

For example, if you have a tidbit:

- "was illegally abducted in Mali. Fought his way out of a Saharan jail with a knife and AK-47 Subsequently posed as a camel-herdsman for four months until reaching an American consulate."

That's good, don't write a fucking novel on something that COULD be a novel. Add something at the end like:

For more information click here (hyperlink to your site with articles about your ordeal - or a more in-depth explanation).

If someone I knew got this they would be like... wtf - and he's a hipster right now? Holy shit, let's TALK to this motherfucker just to see what he's like. Buy him a ticket to LA, NYC or wherever the interested party is at (telecommuting rules, btw.)

Which brings me to a second idea: NARRATIVE.

What is your story? Who ARE you? ARE you something INTERESTING? This is an entire post by itself.

Cheers

 

[5th Sequence]

Great Post. God, you should offer press kit/one sheet design.

 

[Sincock]

Clutter is the main enemy in one sheets and press kits.

One sheets or bios should have:

1. "A&R/Reporter crack": easily usable quotes, very interesting soundbites of information.
2. Formatted and easy to read. Think of using bullet points and follow the AP (Associated Press) style of writing.
3. Build your bio w/or w/o one sheets like a reporter builds their article (reverse triangle method.)
4. Too much information leads to problems on the one-sheet leads to problems. Provide relevant links to where AR can find more info (on the worthless awards you've received.)

Think of it like picking up a woman. You have a greatly packaged press kit, but leave them wanting more - and asking questions. That creates attraction. You don't spill all your guts out to a girl you just met, do you? (if you do, there's a problem).

For example, if you have a tidbit:

- "was illegally abducted in Mali. Fought his way out of a Saharan jail with a knife and AK-47 Subsequently posed as a camel-herdsman for four months until reaching an American consulate."

That's good, don't write a fucking novel on something that COULD be a novel. Add something at the end like:

For more information click here (hyperlink to your site with articles about your ordeal - or a more in-depth explanation).

If someone I knew got this they would be like... wtf - and he's a hipster right now? Holy shit, let's TALK to this motherfucker just to see what he's like. Buy him a ticket to LA, NYC or wherever the interested party is at (telecommuting rules, btw.)

Which brings me to a second idea: NARRATIVE.

What is your story? Who ARE you? ARE you something INTERESTING? This is an entire post by itself.

Cheers

Word, this is what I was referring too when I said that both those bands lack interest, (i.e. suck). I can certainly see what you're saying about the lack of professionalism and too much useless info. My immediate impression of both of those one sheets was that although one is presented more professionally it's still boring.

 

[God]

Great Post. God, you should offer press kit/one sheet design.

ROFLMAO.

 

[Da IllFellaz]

damn, we were JUST talking bout make a one sheet for my mans press kit. this couldnt of been posted at a better time.

 

[dbit]

God, out of curiosity, how custom do you think the graphics can/should be on a one sheet without looking out of place? I've heard a lot of advice on keeping the one sheet graphics rather simple, even if you have a compelling design that doesn't take away from the info.

Your thoughts?

Also, what ideas would you have about presenting an older artist who's been at it for a while, but who's musical style has obviously matured and developed, without making them look like yesterdays news?

I'm working with a couple such artists and I tend to be one of the more literate of those around me so I'm often approached for advice on certain things.

 

[God]

Nothing in this consitutes business or legal advice... seek professional counsel if you need advice on such matters.

God, out of curiosity, how custom do you think the graphics can/should be on a one sheet without looking out of place? I've heard a lot of advice on keeping the one sheet graphics rather simple, even if you have a compelling design that doesn't take away from the info.

It depends. I heard that cats don't like complex one-sheets, but others think that cats who look "more professional" are "more serious" about their success in the industry. Compare what you're sending out to professional ones, like what I've posted online.

If you need help with design, try to hire a cat from a design school and pay them cheap. They'll probably do a decent semi-pro design with low overhead for you.

Also, what ideas would you have about presenting an older artist who's been at it for a while, but who's musical style has obviously matured and developed, without making them look like yesterdays news?

It depends what genre the artists are performing in. It's harder these days to sign and market a cat that's on the wrong side of 30. But what I find out is that it's the age a person LOOKS rather than your "real" age that matters. Case in point - a "new" artist stateside is a white girl called "Lenka". She's smoking hot in the video, I think this is her first big record deal in the U.S. (she's from Australia.) I thought she was nineteen. She's thirty years old. So what age you LOOK like matters more than your real age.

Also, if you're an older artist - what's your demographic? Are you trying to hit the 20-40 yrs. group? Or are you singing/rapping stuff that appeals to 24 and under? A lot of this depends on your representation (manager) and quality of songs. If an exec steamrolls your manager and "steals" your song from you rather than having YOU signed as an artist, you just got fucked out of a record deal and now you're a "songwriter." It happens - a tough manager worth his shit will know how to hit back.

You weren't too direct in your explanation, so I tried to lay it out the best of you. Good luck.