Press Kit Fixes: 7 Small Changes That Decide Whether You Get Booked or Ignored

Sean
6 days ago
3 min read

Most artists think booking decisions are about talent.

They’re not.

They’re about clarity.

Promoters, editors, and brand managers rarely have time to “figure you out.” Your press kit either answers their questions fast—or it quietly sends you to the ignore pile.

This isn’t about flashy design or buzzwords. It’s about small, practical fixes that separate artists who get replies from artists who don’t.

Artist Press Kit Fixes That Quietly Change Booking Decisions

Here are seven press-kit fixes that quietly decide your fate. These artist press kit fixes aren’t cosmetic—they remove friction from booking decisions and make saying yes feel easy.

Your Bio Is Too Long (or Says Nothing)
The fastest way to lose a reader is to start with a life story.
Your bio should answer three questions immediately:
- Who are you?
- What do you do?
- Why should anyone care right now?
If your first paragraph doesn’t do that in 3–4 lines, it’s broken.

Fix it:
Lead with current relevance, not history.
Awards, numbers, notable performances, or positioning come first. Background comes later—or not at all.
“A good bio doesn’t impress. It informs.”
No Clear Performance Identity
A promoter isn’t booking your vibe. They’re booking a show.
If your press kit doesn’t clearly say what kind of performance you deliver, you’re forcing guesswork—and guesswork kills bookings.

Fix it:
Add a short performance descriptor:
- Live band or backing track?
- Festival-ready or intimate set?
- Crowd-interactive or minimalist?
One sentence can save five emails.
Your Photos Don’t Match Your Sound
This one is brutal but common.
Soft, moody photos for hype music.
Aggressive visuals for chill records.
Old photos for new eras.
Visual confusion = brand risk.

Fix it:
Your main press photo should match:
- Your current sound
- Your stage energy
- The rooms you want to perform in
If the photo and the music feel like different artists, someone will hesitate—and hesitation is a silent no.
“If your image lies, your booking suffers.”
Missing or Weak Performance Footage
Streaming links are not proof you can perform.
Promoters want reassurance that:
- You can hold a crowd
- You sound good live
- You understand stage presence
Fix it:
Include one strong live clip:
- 60–120 seconds
- Clear audio
- Crowd visible (even if small)
Phone footage is fine. Bad framing is fine. Dead energy is not.
Your Links Are a Mess
Nothing kills momentum like broken or scattered links.
If someone has to ask you for:
- A clean EPK link
- Updated music
- Social handles
…you’ve already slowed the process.

Fix it:
One clean page or PDF with:
- Music links
- Performance video
- Social links
- Contact info
No hunting. No confusion.
No Obvious Contact or Booking Point
You’d be shocked how many kits end without a clear next step.
Promoters should never wonder:
“Who do I email?”
“Is this the manager or the artist?”
“Is this even active?”

Fix it:
End your kit with a clear booking line:
- Name
- Role
- Email
- Optional phone/WhatsApp
Make the decision easy to act on.
“Interest dies when action feels uncertain.”
You’re Still Using an Old Version
The fastest way to look unserious is to show you’re not paying attention to your own career.
Outdated photos.
Old releases.
Past milestones presented as current.

Fix it:
Treat your press kit like a living document.
- Review it every 3–6 months
- Update after major releases or shows
- Remove anything that no longer reflects your direction
A fresh kit signals momentum—even before anyone presses play.