1. Pick a genre that identifies your band best. Don’t try to say “we’re totally unique, there’s nothing like us.” Music Labels hate this. They want to know what audience you’ll appeal to, so make sure you pick a genre and a band or two you’re similar to. Also beware describing your band’s genre as “flexible.” That’s commiting suicide to a record label.
2. Don’t hype yourself up. It makes you sound like an idiot. Your listeners and record labels can decide that for themselves.
3. Keep your bio short and informative. Don’t worry about writing 3 pages, because no one wants to read that. A couple paragraphs at most will do.
4. Make sure to list your band members. Don’t go into details writing individual biographies on each band member. You can add some bits of humor if you’d like, such as mentioning that your drummer also plays the spoons.
5. Use your bands letterhead when writing your bio. In fact, make sure all your band information is written in the same letterhead, including any text in your band logo. It makes it look professional.
6. Use bits of humor if it fits your image, but don’t be offensive. The key is not too much, or it’ll make your band look like a joke.
7. List your bands influences. Similar to tip #1, influences can help a record label identify what your music is like. Make sure to differentiate between Influences and Music You Like.
8. Write multiple versions of your bio depending on who you’re sending it to. A club owner wants to know you’ll attract attention, a record label wants to know who you are.
9. List your major accomplishments, such as education and awards.
10. Look at other bands bio’s and see if there’s something you like about it that you can replicate. It can help make your bio better.
11. Dont empahize your shortcomings. So many times you’ll see a bio that says something like “we haven’t played many gigs yet…” If its something negative leave it out! Focus on the strengths of your band!
12. Write a line or two about how the band got started, or how songs are written, but don’t dwell on these subjects.
13. Always put the following on everything you own: Name, address, URL, email, and phone number.
