Building Your Video Press Kit
Ty Cohen
If your band is trying to get the notice of millions of screaming fans, few things can do more than the video press kit. With the video press kit, you can engage both mainstream and Internet media sources to promote your band. Since publicity is a crucial factor in growing a large fan base, how does the unknown band create a video press kit to attract the attention of the media?
First and foremost, start with good quality video footage of your band performing. Live shows are great but even a video recording of your band playing in the studio can be used to great effect. In fact, as your band gains popularity, this early home recording studio footage may become highly prized, like the basement recording of Bob Dylan or Jim Croce.
Your video footage should be encoded in several popular formats, including mpeg, wmv, flash and avi, and you should offer link or embed codes to your videos from your website. Why? This simple step of providing a variety of working formats means that the media can use the recordings without having to do the extra work of re encoding the footage to their equipments needs. Bloggers who wish to share your video with their readers can easily insert these videos into their blogs and news rooms can use your files for direct broadcast with very little editing being required.
When preparing your video footage for your video press kit, use editing software to add a title and related information, like the date and location, with a brief pause of about one second before the clip. It is also a good idea to put copyright and contact information at the end of the clip. Limit the length of your videos or logically separate the video into chapters so editors don't have to search through hours of video to find the section they want to use.
In addition to the video section of your video press kit, you need to supply some text files with crucial information. These text files will include contact info so publishers can tell their viewers how to get in touch with your band to book performances or get additional information. While the traditional information like name, mailing address and phone number are important, digital world contact info is equally important. Always include your website URL and the bands email info. If you would like media resources to link back to your site in exchange for using your video, be sure to include your preferred link code.
By using these tips to build your bands video press kit, you can reach a wide audience with very little work. You can put the world of media to work for you to promote your band to a global audience. You don't have to be a big name to get media attention. You just have to be able to sway the media by giving them the things they look for in a video press kit.
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