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(This info and more in Kenny Kerner’s book, “Going Pro: Developing a Professional Career in the Music Industry
![](/wp-content/uploads/goingpro.jpg "Kenny Kerner\'s \")
So, you sent your EPK to a promoter. What’s next? Why, I am so glad you asked. Two words will open up a world of opportunity for you: Follow Up.
As you might have guessed, there are some good ways to follow up and there are some bad ways. Kenny Kerner, seasoned artist manager, author, and current Director of the Music Business Program at Musician’s Institute, offers some valuable advice about following up.
Kerner suggests you plan two [2] follow up calls.
The first should be planned five business days after sending your EPK. Kerner explains, “that first call should be to confirm that the promoter received your kit.” Start off the call saying: “Hi, my name is… I’m just calling to make sure you received my information.” If the promoter didn’t receive it, come up with a plan to make sure that s/he receives it. If the promoter did receive your EPK, ask if it would be okay for you to call back in a couple days to talk about it.
“This does two things,” Kerner says. “First, it does not put any pressure on the promoter… He or she probably has dozens of EPKs to go through. Second, it gives a heads up to the promoter that you’re going to call back. That way, they’re more likely to find and go through your material.”
Your second call should be to ask if the promoter had a chance to listen to your EPK. Hopefully, because you made that first call and made the promoter aware you are going to call back, he or she will have made a point to view your EPK and listen to your material.
Some more quick words of advice from Mr. Kerner as you’re following up with a promoter:
• Say your ‘please’ and ‘thank yous’ – Common courtesy goes a long way.
• Don’t be pushy - Make sure you are taking the handle on following up, but work on a timeline that is comfortable and easy for the promoter.
• Be professional – It conveys that you are a reliable and dependable candidate for the opportunity the promoter is offering.
• Less is more – Don’t give the promoter a phone book to look through and don’t be long winded on the phone. Time is money, and no one in this industry wants to waste either.
“That way,” Kerner states, “you’ll both be ready to get down to business.”
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