- A press kit is a short pack that tells people who you are and makes it easy to book or write about you.
- A booking email should be short, specific and include one clear link.
- Follow up politely once, and keep records of every contact.
The short answer
Promoters, venue managers and journalists are busy. They decide in seconds whether to keep reading. A press kit puts everything they need in one place, and a good booking pitch gets them to open it. This guide shows how to prepare both. For the wider process of finding shows, read how to book shows and plan a tour.
What goes in a press kit
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Short bio | Three to four sentences in the third person: who you are, your sound and your biggest achievement |
| Long bio | One page with your story, releases and highlights |
| Photos | Two or three high-quality pictures, with the photographer credited and a link to download |
| Music links | Your best songs on streaming services and a video link |
| Live proof | Short live clips, past venues or festival names |
| Press and quotes | Links to articles, playlists or radio plays |
| Social numbers | Followers and monthly listeners, only if they are impressive and genuine |
| Contact | Name, email, phone and WhatsApp number of the person who handles bookings |
Keep it to a simple web page or a one-page PDF. Update it with every release.
Add a technical sheet for live shows
- A list of what you need: microphones, monitors, stage space and number of performers.
- A simple stage plan showing where each person stands.
- Your set length options, for example 20, 30 or 45 minutes.
- Whether you bring a DJ or backing tracks, and how they connect.
How to write the booking email
- Subject: make it specific, such as “Booking enquiry: [Your name], Afrobeats live act for [Venue name]”.
- Opening: one sentence on who you are and why you are writing to this venue.
- Proof: two or three facts, such as recent shows, streams or a video of a live performance.
- Request: suggest dates or a show type, and say what kind of deal you expect, such as a door split or a fixed fee.
- Link: include one link to your press kit.
- Close: thank them and give a simple way to reply.
A simple template
Hello [Name], I am [Artist name], an Afrobeats singer based in [city]. I enjoyed [recent event at their venue] and think my live set would suit your Friday night audience. I recently performed at [place] and my latest single has reached [number] streams. My press kit and a live clip are here: [link]. I would love to discuss a date in [month]. Thank you for your time, [Name and phone number].
Follow up the right way
- Wait about a week, then send one short, friendly follow-up.
- Keep a list of who you contacted, when and what they said. See spreadsheet basics.
- Do not spam. If there is no reply after two messages, move on and try again after your next release.
- Thank everyone who responds, even if the answer is no.
Things promoters notice
- Professional behaviour: replying quickly and arriving early.
- Whether you can bring people to the show. Share the date with your fans through channels such as WhatsApp Channels and broadcast lists.
- A clear, reasonable offer.
- A good live video, since audio quality alone does not show stage presence.
Quick checklist
- Write a short and a long bio
- Add high-quality photos and music links
- Prepare a technical sheet
- Send a short, personal booking email
- Follow up once after a week
- Keep records of every contact
Key points to remember
A press kit is your professional face. Make it clear, current and easy to open on a phone. Pair it with a strong live set and the habits in stage fright.
