The 8 Essential Items You Need in Your Digital Press Kit

To make it easy for the media, industry, and your potential fans to find the information they need about you, the best thing to do is to create a Digital Press Kit section on your website. This kit will ensure you as a musician to have everything that anyone in the industry might need from you. For example, your fans might go to your website to read your latest blog post or download your latest song. With media and the industry, they’re probably visiting your site to find things such as your official bio, or some promo photos. The Digital Press Kit has all of these in one.

So what should you include in your Digital Press Kit? Here are 8 things that should be in every musician’s digital press kit:

• Bio-The first element to have is your most current bio. Bookers and festivals often have different needs and word limits for bios, so it would also be a good idea to include a few different versions, including an elevator pitch.

• Photos/images-The next element is a section with downloadable (professional) photos. Have a few different official photos, with vertical and horizontal options, as well as black & white versions available. Make sure some of them are hi-resolution in case the media person or festival programmer needs to use the image for print. You can also include the image for your most recent album cover, which can be especially helpful for reviewers.

• Music-You’ll of course need to have your music available to listen to, including a few tracks available to download. If a media person wants to get a copy of your full album or EP for review, just put clear information on who they can contact to get a copy.

• Video-Many blogs and media sites love to embed videos of the artists they’re covering, which helps make the article more visual and engaging. Embed a few of your best videos in your digital press kit to make it easy to find a quality video that best represents your band.

• Press articles/reviews-It wouldn’t be a press kit without some press, so post links to a few of your best reviews and interviews. Don’t assume that people will click on each article and read them in full. Pull the best quote from each review and include it underneath the link.

• Notable achievements-If you’ve been nominated for any awards, charted on radio, performed at noteworthy festivals or conferences, you should definitely include this information. Anything that can help to give positive context to your music and career should be in your digital press kit.

•  Contact info-Although you should of course have a “Contact” section on your website, you should also have detailed contact information in your digital press kit to have everything in one place. Include an email address as well as a phone #, where a media person or booker can reach you if they need to speak to you in a hurry, they’re often working on tight deadlines.

• Social media-And finally, include your social links on the page so that if the media person or booker wants to quickly check out your social media presence, they have all the links right there. You don’t have to overdo it, simply list the social media networks that you are most active on.

Usher's "All Falls Down" Featuring Chris Brown, Turn Your Track Into a Masterpiece

Video By Promusicreords.com
Did Usher and Chris Brown just collaborate on a new duet? The hot, new track by Usher featuring Chris Brown called “All Falls Down” might be a part of Usher’s upcoming album.

The track has an emotional, R&B tune to it where the two talented singers take part in singing about a relationship’s demise.

This isn't the first time the R&B superstars have collaborated. In 2014, Breezy teamed up with Usher on his hit “New Flame,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.

The new record sounds like a masterpiece and has potential to head down the same path as Usher’s other hot records in the past.

How do you make sure your fresh, new track sounds like a masterpiece in order to reach the same potential as these award-winning artists? Pro Music Record’s audio engineer is here to help perfect your song by paying attention to every detail and making it sound legitimate. Pro Music Records is partnered with top of the line mixing engineers and has mixed music for Grammy-Nominated Artists. The music production department of Pro Music Records provides you with online mixing and mastering, vocal and instrument tracking, vocal tuning and audio editing.

So you already have an idea of how your songs will be played out. Now, you just have to make it sound amazing with a touch from professionals. Check out our music production department and contact us at submissions@promusicrecords.com and we’ll get started.

#PMR Webisode - Pro Tips Episode 1 "Music Success In 9 Weeks"

Do you have an EP and/or album ready to be released but not sure where to get started? Pro Music Records and Media Entertainment is your best tool to market your EP/album in the most effective way. PMR is a one stop shop for all your entertainment needs that specializes in brand development. Our mission is to help create an image and brand identity for our clients as well as create buzz about their product or service.

Working with a PR company is a great way to help get your content out there in a timely manner. PMR has come up with a guide for you to follow in order to have a successful EP/Album release in 9 weeks. Check out the video and read our guidelines here:

1    

• Your press campaign starts 2 MONTHS before release.
• You start with a single then blast SOCIAL MEDIA about it including your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc
• Create HASHTAGS and send a NEWSLETTER out to your fans announcing your special project.
• Now 1 MONTH before your release, announce pre-sales and merch bundles and blast social media with the news.
• TWO WEEKS before your release, don’t let your fans forget about your release!
• Hold a contest to win a copy of your album through social media.
• IT’S RELEASE DAY! The day we have been working for-create posts about your release on all platforms of social media and newsletters.
• Update your social media profiles with news of, “album out now” and a link to buy your album.
• ONE MONTH after release, keep your fans excited with an official music video release.
• Also get your friends and family involved, ask them to write reviews on iTunes and get the word out on social media-yes, reviews play a big part in album sales. 

      These are our tips for music success in 9 weeks. Here at Pro Music Records, we can help you turn your dreams into reality.

Inside The Music Industry From an Empire View

There’s a lot to like in the new Fox series, Empire, airing on Wednesday nights. From the entertainment to the authentic music veterans can’t get enough of, Empire is the new hit series you don’t want to miss out on.

Whether you love it or hate it, you will understand the show comes from a real perspective and that’s what gives the hit series credibility. Created and written by Lee Daniels (The Butler, Precious) and Danny Strong (The Butler, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1), the show is outlined based on real experiences combined with catchy music which is expertly directed by Timbaland. Strong tells The New York Post that the music talent was the most essential part that would either make or break the show.

Starring as Lucious Lyon, Terrance Howard plays a music mogul who is on mission to get Empire Records to the next level. His ex-wife, Cookie, played by Taraji P.Henson, comes back after 17 years of doing time in prison looking to continue her contribution to the music label. Lucious’ secret illness though, puts more pressure on establishing his business to where he wants it to be and so, he is in on the look-out for the next candidate to run his business. His top three choices: his three sons.  

First choice is his oldest son, the Ivy-league educated and business oriented, Andre (Trai Byers), whose wife, Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday) is white. Although business savvy, Andre lacks one element that Lucious believes is vital for the head position of the label: musical talent. So that’s where Jamal comes in, who inherited his father’s musical skills. But he also faces a hurdle, something his father can’t seem to accept; he is gay. This storyline is probably the most watchful of the series. Going back to one of the most dramatic scenes already in the show, Lucious dumps Jamal into the garbage can when he sees his son wearing high-heels and has Cookie enraged by his cruelness. The scene had everyone talking but what makes it unique is it is based on Daniels’ own life experiences. Since Lucious’ two sons are not good enough for him based on their “flaws,” the music mogul looks at his youngest son, Hakeem (Bryshere Gray), the wild, aspiring rapper. According to Lucious, Hakeem reminds him of himself.

While on the hunt for the best candidate to take over the business, a battle for control transpires which highlights an identity issue; the oldest son is not “black enough,” the middle one is gay and the youngest is the most out there. Daniels’ duty is to capture these issues that take place in the music industry. As said before, some love the plot line and others might have a problem with it because of the controversial direction the creators are taking. However, the reality aspect of the show is what has people talking as Fox’s most vibrant drama in a while.

Does Empire inspire you to be a part of the music industry? Maybe you already are, but you are interested in becoming something bigger. Pro Music Records and Entertainment Media specializes in branding and marketing your career. If you have work you want to share and promote, submit it at submissions@promusicrecords.com and check out Pro Music Records Services for more info.

Unleash Your Creativity with Pro Music Records

“And we as musicians have to inspire people who go to work every day.”

Those were just some of the words, some of the most reasonable words, from Kanye’s rant at the E! After Party after once again, jumping on stage interrupting another artist’s speech for winning an award. 

This time it was Beck winning Album of the Year when Ye thought it should have been Beyoncé. The controversy here is “respecting the craft and smacking people in the face,” other contradictory words from Ye’s rant. When he made that statement, he didn’t realize he just went against his words earlier that night by smacking Beck in the face and not respecting his craft, basically saying he isn’t a “real artist.”

There has been a lot of buzz over the moment and by now we understand everyone has their own opinion about what “artistry” is. Art is expressed in different ways. Beyoncé, Kanye, and Beck are all artists in their own way. Kanye is just being, well, Kanye, and expressing his opinion which he has a right to do. He was probably speaking for a lot of people when Beck was announced as the winner of that category going against artists like Sam Smith and Beyoncé. But that didn’t give Kanye the right to disrespect Beck and interrupt his moment.

With that being said, musicians get to inspire people every day in different ways. There isn’t only one form of art. In fact, what makes it even more interesting are the various styles. If it touches you, then that musician’s job is done.

Do you have work that you think may inspire people going to work every day like Kanye stated? Well you’re at the right spot to express your creativity. Pro Music Records is open to all genres and fields of the music and entertainment industry. If you think you have what it takes, then submit your work at submissions@promusicrecords.com and check out Pro Music Records and Entertainment Media to take a look at what we can do to get you up to the level of credibility, yet, still express your own style.

Remember everyone has their own form of art and you never know who you might be inspiring. It might not be the same taste as Kanye’s, but that is still okay.

Why You Should Go Pro

The biggest frustration that can happen for an up and coming artist is to not be able to afford or get access to all the necessities they need to branch out. How do I make sure my song is quality music? Where do I get the equipment to make my music video? What if I can’t afford the equipment?

These are just some of the questions running through the head of an independent artist. It’s like college all over again. You go through this process with a goal to be successful and you end up defeating the purpose by paying your way through it and finishing with nothing. You win some, you lose some.

Well good thing, Pro Music Records & Entertainment Media is here to help. From music production to promotions and marketing, you can start your brand from scratch and receive the publicity it deserves. At Pro Music Records, we provide the assistance to market your brand. Our dedicated team of professionals can customize your promotional package and create you a music video representing your style. Check out our YouTube page for some of our work and video inspiration at https://www.youtube.com/user/proentertainmenttv.

Also make sure to drop by at our marketing page to educate yourself on the steps on how to promote your brand! Start your transition as an up and coming artist here: http://www.promusicrecords.com/marketing.html.

New Video: Common & John Legend - "Glory"

Congrats to both Common and John Legend on their big Golden Globe win! Today they drop their new visuals for "Glory" from the new movie Selma in theaters now. 

Do you have a band?  Are you ready for a music video?
Pro Entertainment Media and our film and video production division, are pleased to serve you in the visual presentation of your select songs.  Allow our award-winning team to create a quality, unique, HD visual picture that will showcase your musical talents and fully personify you and your music.  How much your music video will ultimately cost depends on your production goals. Let us customize a package to meet your needs!  Call us at 818-971-9301 today for a quote!