OK - so what do you like to see in a promo pack? I know this has been done in another thread, but it didn't go into much detail about what actually goes into a mailshot like this.

Here's what's in one I've just designed, but I'm open to suggestions as it can always be changed.

CD - this is now a combined sampler (of two albums) and a demo. There are 9 tracks but they are all very short - none is a complete track, so there shouldn't be a serious copyright problem (the copyright for one album is not ours, but Wild Goose Studios). Total playing time about 15 mins. I have taken care to avoid tracks with extensive multitracking and/or other musicians so that they are reasonably representative of the live performance. I tip I picked up from that other thread was that a whole album may seem nice and generous but it does not make a good demo as your busy organiser effectively has a short attention span.

The label on the CD has full contact information in case the CD should part company with the printed material sent with it.

In the current version the CD is not in a jewel case, but in a self-seal paper envelope with transparent front. This cuts down on weight and postage cost (we might be sending out a lot of these)

That comes wrapped in a leaflet of a single A4 sheet of 110gsm paper folded in half (A5 sized). Printed on it is:

Front: big picture and title, not much else.
P2: The inside has a brief description of what we do, individually and together (we are a duo), then small pictures of the CD's and their names, then extracts from reviews.
P3: Track listing of the demo, showing which tracks come from which album
P4 (back): lots of small photos just for fun.

All except front page have contact info at the bottom: postal address, phone no. web page, email address.

All the pictures are in colour.

We think it looks nice, but I'd love to hear from organisers who have seen lots of these things about what's effective and what isn't. How about publicity posters - included optimistically on the assumption that they'll be needed, or sent on later if there's something to publicise? Anything else? Business cards, perhaps? Gig lists (these are always out of date!) Covering letter? Can you send too much? I'm considering slimline jewel cases for the CD to protect it better in the post. Does anyone care?

I'm fully aware of the need to do the research first - we have also made the mistake of turning up with instruments at a local-ish club to do an unannounced floor spot only to find out that the club's format was strictly booked support and main act. I always phone first now.

I take the point about following up afterwards - I suppose it's obvious when considered from the organiser's point of view, but the prospective perfomer might think that going to the effort of putting all that stuff in the post means the job's done.

Anahata