Sonicbids EPKs (Electronic Press Kits)
Why should you pay for an EPK? I’ve been a member of SonicBids since November 2006 and I think it’s a good investment. Here’s why…

EPK site
A unique URL (example: http://www.sonicbids.com/JessiRobertson) opens a website to display your EPK.
Minus: You probably already have a homepage, MySpace, and tons of other stuff to keep up with. Plus, it costs money and that’s one thing musicians are always short on.
Plus: Professional packaging. These guys know what should be in an effective EPK. All you have to do is upload/enter the necessary information like your bio, some mp3s, a video (with SuperSonic membership)

Calendar
The EPK calendar can be embedded wherever you want (example: http://asherareyou.com/showstext.html) and the color can be completely customized using a simple tool.
Minus: Another calendar to update
Plus: Embed the calendar on all your sites and then only update the EPK calendar

Tracking
See how much traffic your EPK is getting. Download reports.
Minus: You will not get traffic simply from putting up a SonicBids site
Plus: They have buttons and an emailer form to help you promote

Free online music lessons from Berklee College of Music
Minus: I haven’t checked this new feature yet. Who has the time?
Plus: Looks like they have some lessons on studio production, and I could really use some pointers

Offers & Discounts from partner sites
Minus: See above
Plus: I need to take advantage of this

Promoter offers
Pay a fee and instantly submit your EPK for everything from gigs to sountracks
Minus: Submitting is expensive. Prices can range from $5 to $40 and sometimes even more. I don’t have any truly great recordings, so I know that I probably won’t get accepted to a lot of these offers
Plus: I have gotten some cool things through Sonicbids. I got a runner’s up prize for Eggshell Heart in the 2007 Singer/Songwriter Awards from We Are Listening. They gave me a ton of free subscriptions that more than paid for my entry. I think if you pick and choose carefully you can get some great opportunities from Sonicbids. You just need to decide what’s worth the money. Also, one feature that I really like is the Status check. You can click a button to see if the promoter has reviewed your EPK yet and if they’ve responded.

OVERALL RATING: You Need This