When writing your Music Bio to promote yourself or band, a good idea is to use a basic outline to keep you focused to the task at hand. Present a well written and interesting synopsis or roundup of your musical past and present, your background, accomplishments, goals, and future objectives as a musician. If you think you'd be the next best thing since sliced bread let them know by all means, but do it in such a way as to prove it and convince them!

Keep it upbeat and to the point. Include top quality soundtracks, bytes, photos, links, to make yourself or your band STANDOUT from the deluge of "wannabe" musician bio's that many in the music business profession receive on a daily basis. So basically, to avoid ending up in the bin, make this page or two a page of the highest quality. Now that might sound obvious to some, but you'd be amazed at the low quality, misspelt and downright messy musician bio's received here - it doesn't impress the reader in any way I can assure you ... in any field.

Ok with that out of the way, you need to inform the person on the other end what exactly you are about. Start with a brief introduction of yourself and what your aims and purposes of sending this bio are.

Remember who you are writing the Bio for: (here's a tip I find very useful: Write the purpose of the bio and the person you are sending it to at the top of the page and refer to it when necessary as you are working on it - make sure to remove it before you send the letter). It might be to an A&R Rep at a Record Label, Media Contacts, Booking Agents, Management Contacts and so on. Also be very clear on the reason you are putting together and sending the bio too - write that down at the top of the page also and stick to it in general. Is the purpose of the letter/bio to get gigs, a record deal, bookings? Make sure what the function and purpose of the letter is AND make sure to accomplish this is your goal.

Make them want to listen to your music by writing an interesting page that stands out from the pack. Of course you need a quality artist or band in the first place to back it all up. Be very aware that today's market generally requires a strong image as well as great songs and "charisma". Even if you go for the "tatty" look like say like Oasis, be sure that it's original tatty and not just a copy of some other famous band. As a rule music companies aren't seeking out the "second" version of any band.

Do not not waste words in your bio and keep it concise - these agents are very busy. From one page to a page-and-a-half/two pages should be the max.

See you in part two of Tips on Writing Your Artist Biography where we'll be looking at a brief outline plan to keep all in check.

Regards

David