Weird... those links don't work for me now, but considering I had to use a cached copy of the 'cat to get in, I think it's an ISP problem.

Keeping in mind that whatever I'm about to say is likely duplicated...

Things I would include in a publicity/promo packet:

Photo of the band. It makes you seem more 'real', and sometimes a venue will book on appearance in hopes that you match what they think you should sound like.

Any reviews from previous shows. Hopefully complementary ones. People are happier booking a known performer than a completely new act.

Bios of the band. This can help both with gigs and with coverage. Some venues want to book local talent. Plus, area newspapers will be MUCH more inclined to cover a 'local phenom' than some group of unknown out of towners.

Cover letter. This can be the most important, or the least. Depends on your band and on the atmosphere you're promoting in. Think of it as the first interview - your chance to state why you're doing what you're doing and why the reader should give a damn. It can set the tone - if you're very much into the tradition and the history you can make that quite clear. If you're a bar/party band, you can also make that clear.

Depending on what you're sending, who you're sending it to, your previous history in the area etc., there are other things: demos, references, history of the band what have you.

My other advice would be to NOT wed yourself to one packet. Think of ANY possible uses you would have for your promo kit and plan for them. Usually it's quite honestly just the difference between one version of a letter or another, but you're MUCH better off not assuming that 'one size fits all'. What one venue looks for in a perfomer is quite likely not what the local entertainment performer is looking for in a write up, so plan accordingly.

And a small gimmicky gift isn't bad. Not required, but helpful. Just do NOT overdo it, and try to research your prospective recipient before you send it. You can do more damage with an inappropriate gift (chocolate to a diabetic, booze to an alcoholic) than if you'd never sent the package at all.

My two cents plus worth.

M