THE ANATOMY OF A PERFECT EPK

What Industry Gatekeepers Actually Look For

If you've been wondering why your music isn't getting the industry attention it deserves, the answer might be simpler than you think: your EPK isn't working as hard as your music or maybe you’re an artist who doesn’t have this crucial industry asset just yet. We’re here to help.

After helping multiple clients transform their industry presence through strategic EPKs and One Sheets, we've uncovered the exact formula that separates artists who get opportunities from those who remain overlooked.

The Hard Truth About EPKs

Industry decision-makers spend an average of just 47 seconds reviewing a new artist submission. In that brief window, they're making career-defining judgments about your potential.

What most artists get wrong: Creating EPKs for themselves, not for the gatekeepers who can change their careers.

The 5 Critical Components of a Career-Changing EPK

1️⃣ VISUALS THAT TELL YOUR STORY

Decision makers judge marketability in seconds. Your visual assets need to:

• Project a cohesive brand identity

• Telegraph your genre positioning instantly

• Look professional without looking generic

• Tell a visual story that complements your sound

2️⃣ BIO THAT HOOKS IN 30 SECONDS

A majority ofindustry pros only read the first paragraph. An effective bio:

• Leads with your unique selling proposition

• Includes strategic "sounds like" comparisons

• Highlights legitimate accomplishments (not fluff)

• Contains quotable phrases for busy journalists

3️⃣ MUSIC PRESENTATION THAT WORKS

Sequence matters. Our testing shows:

• Leading with your most accessible track increases engagement

• Properly tagged files signal professionalism

• Offering both streaming and downloadable options accommodates all preferences

• Including instrumental versions for sync opportunities opens new doors

4️⃣ PRESS & SOCIAL PROOF THAT MATTERS

Not all social proof is created equal:

• One perfect quote from a respected source beats a list of unknown blogs

• Specific streaming/engagement metrics tell a growth story

• Strategic name-dropping creates powerful association

• Evidence of fan engagement demonstrates viability

5️⃣ CONTACT STRATEGY THAT CONVERTS

The easiest part of the EPK is often the most overlooked:

• Direct contact information for decision makers

• Frictionless access to all materials

• Clear next steps that drive action

• Follow-up system that feels personal, not desperate

The Psychology Behind Industry Decisions

What truly separates good EPKs from great ones is understanding the psychological triggers that drive industry decision-making:

• Scarcity signals create urgency and FOMO

• Social proof architecture reduces perceived risk

• Pattern interruptions ensure memorability

• Cognitive ease improves subconscious evaluation

We incorporate these various elements into our custom EPKs + One Sheets developed by the UNE creative team, and as a result have helped them more easily secure show opportunities, media and press placements, and sync licensing deals.

Now is the time to elevate with our EPK + One Sheet Services

Ready to undergo a magic refresh for your current EPK? Or need to get your first one created? Here’s what our popular EPK + One Sheet service contains:

• Strategic EPK audit of your current EPK to identify missed opportunities

• Custom bio refresh by our industry specialists

• Visual asset consultation with our creative team to ensure you have everything you need for us to bring the magic to life

• Custom EPK (5-7 pages) and One-Sheet assets

• (1) Design update within 90-days of completed service included.

[BOOK YOUR EPK TRANSFORMATION →] HERE.

Rooting for your success,

THE UNE DREAM TEAM

P.S. Have questions about your specific EPK challenges? Reply directly to this email for a personalized response from our team