Publicist Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What is the market price to engage a publicist? Hi what is the market price to engage a publicist to help you promote your company and activities. If anyone know please help thank you.

Answer: there is no set cost, depends on size and scope of the project. Perhaps think of it as an hourly fee, so maybe $150/hr you are likely better off hiring a full time person, likely just as expensive or cheaper

Question: How does a contract between publicist and client work? Are clients paid directly by the client, is it a flat fee or commision? If commission, how can the publicist prove how much press attention they garnered for the client? If it is a flat fee, how is that fee determined? In short, who pays the publicist/firm, and how is the amount hey are paid determined? Is there an industry standard?

Answer: The publicist should have (a) a standard agreement for payment and (b) a written plan of action. That should include all the various methods they plan to employ and a time line. Also they should discuss reasonable expections and references from past clients.

Question: What is the difference between a publicist, a manager, and a promoter? I work for a concert musician where my main job is to make phone calls to various halls, theaters, and auditoriums in order to book performances for him. On my resume I've listed "Personal Assistant" -- but would my responsibilities also fall under a "Publicist," "Assistant Manager," or "Promoter" title?

Answer: The job that you have described herein falls somewhere within a gray area as explained... but comes nearer to the "Asst. Manager" position than Promoter or Publicist.... To best give oversight of these various things ... I'll simply run through an explaination of each... A Manager is usually one who does all of the jobs that are mentioned herein.... until an artist is of such stature that they are needing more specialized "handling"....and, within most Management contracts, it is the Mangager that assumes responsibility for most of these duties....But, also...a standard Management contract...usually... gives the "Manager" a fairly wide leverage in the actual conduct OF an artist as well... In other words... as long as they are upholding their responsibilities.... they are "the boss".... Once an artist becomes somewhat more developed and business becomes somewhat more demanding.... The Manager may opt to add either a full time or part time Promoter and / or Publicist to the mix... A Promoter is one who takes the responsibility of actually getting this individual... out and "known" among the public and within the business world....of what ever niche they are in... This CAN include actual booking responsibilities... but not necessarily.... This job can also include the job of Publicist ...but not necessarily.... The Publicist is usually one who takes care of actually getting information into the press and into media about any and all things that are seen to be in the artist's best interests..... In that regard they are actually doing a Promoter's job... by "promoting" the career and favorable public personna of the individual artist.... but, in a more exclusive way.... usually to media in particular..... A Personal Assistant... usually is one who does much more personal contact with the artist themselves... and one who does all of those things that need to be done to make their lives easier and more managable.... this can include professional duties of business at the beck and call of the artist... but not necessarily so... and, more often it includes more mundane and personal comfort things.... like errands and "seeing to things" on a much more personal level.... In actuality...any of these particular fields that I have given a rundown on herein... could be called ...Asst Manager's positions.... for they all are ... in one way or the other.... assisting the Manager in the overall job of.... managing the life and career of the artist.... Hope this helps somewhat ☼ ////

Question: What major should I pick for a music/entertainment publicist career? I'm starting university this year to complete the Communications and Media Studies degree, and I eventually want to become a music or entertainment publicist. I have a keen interest in the media and writing, and the degree requires a 'specialist stream' to be chosen (either advertising/marketing, digital communication, journalism or screen studies). I would love to do journalism, but would the advertising & marketing stream be more suitable for my career path?

Answer: I'd say major in Journalism and minor in Music. This will look the best on job apps. A good internship is also a must.

Question: How much does a Publicist get paid per hour? How much does a Publicist get paid per hour?

Answer: publicists usually don't get paid per hour, but rather on a 10-20% commission of the artist's total income.

Question: Getting a photo pass to a concert via the publicist? If I got a photo pass to a tour via the tour's publicist, not the band's publicist, does that mean I can shoot all the bands on the tour? Thanks!

Answer: it's different all the time. you really have to contact the publicist you recieved the pass from and ask them.

Question: How can I find a good Publicist? I have a limited budget but I would like to get a good publicist for my self published romance novel.

Answer: I know dozens of romance authors. Not one of them has a publicist. Each one of them works with their publisher to promote their own books. If they are best-selling authors, the publisher will do more marketing. If they happen to be a mid-list author, they do their own marketing/promoting. I don't want to sound harsh, but not too many people will purchase a self published romance novel. No one knows who you are. And let me assure you...a lot of people shy away from books printed by vanity presses. It is like telling the world that traditional publishers (ie: Harlequin/Silhouette, Avon, Kennsington, etc) rejected you. It is basically the same as having no publishing credit at all. Since it apprears you have already spend the money to self publish, I think the best use of your limited funds would be to create a website where people can read excerpts and buy your book. Good luck!!

Question: What steps should I take to be a publicist? I want to be a publicist one day, I'm currently in highschool. I'm thinking of becoming a celebrit publicist, or a publicist for a large enterprise or company.. is this a hard career? Is it stressful? are internships advisable for this career? is the pay ok?

Answer: hey there I would start by going after a degree in marketing/ public relations advertising and communications..It is a very stressful and competitive career, as lots of people don't make it...While you are in college, try to volunteer in events, do internship that way you familiarize yourself with people and vice versa Talk to as many people as you can in those events,, you have to have a go getter and competitive attitude, Rememeber you'll be selling the person you are working for.. It is not easy,,, but if youare a hard worker and knock on the right doors, you'll be fine..GOOD LUCK

Question: What does it take to be good publicist? My rock band, The Jakes, is slowly by surely gaining success with the industry (including signing a contract with Disneyland Entertainment). However, I am a horrible publicist! I do not know how to efficiently publicize a gig, cd release, etc. Please help me out!

Answer: Connections,that plays a huge part of being a publicist.You have to get out there,let your personality show off stage as well as on.You dont have to be crazy but be friendly.When advertising your band look for crowds of people that way you can advertise to more than one person at a time.Make sure you talk to everyone,from every style,background,religion(if you know this) talk to anyone,the more people you advertise to,the more they will spread the word and the more fans you will gain.You dont have to be popular,just get the word out.Try the band sites like,purevolume and myspace and im sure there are more but they have more of an influence than you would think.You can go and add those who enjoy that type of music genre on myspace,add bigger bands and their fans will check out your profile as well.Also,posters,pictures,designs,etc.Visual things get attention,make it catchy and bright,have a slogan or a word you say often as a catch phrase.Give a copy of your demo to the radio station odds are when they listen to it they will like it and play it.Many radio stations do local contests and such like bands vs bands and the winner gets their song played as well as gets to be put into the contest again the following weekend or whatever.Make sure you get your band out there!!!Good luck and congratulations on the success you have achieved so far and the success you shall recieve in the future.

Question: What major should I take in school to become a publicist? My dream job is to become a publicist or an agent. I am not to sure what major, or classes I should take in order to pursue that career. Could someone help me out??

Answer: Communication Studies would be good. Once you get into college your advisor will be able to help you pick specific classes to help you reach your goals. Good luck!

Question: I would like to work in the entertainment field, as a publicist. What college courses and steps should I take? I want to be a journalist at a magaizine company such as upscale magazine, sister 2 siter, or essence. I also would like to be a publicist to the stars in the music industry. what steps should I take to do so, or what path should I follow? I want to be a vj at BET or MTV and I dont know what to do or what college course to align me in that direction.

Answer: Make an appointment with a college career councilor to match the best possible degree to your interest,

Question: I want to make my product known through a publicist or public relations specialist? How do I go about finding a publicist or public relations specialist to get articles published nationwide i.e. NY Times and locally i.e. Crains NY Also how much should something like this cost? Thanks

Answer: I would first get it patented then go about finding a publicist.

Question: Where should I go to school to become a publicist? What colleges offer degrees for publicity and what kind of degrees should I be looking out for? Also--would New York City or Los Angeles be a better place to work as a publicist?

Answer: ohio university.......good luck

Question: What is the average income for a Staff Staff Publicist & a Promotional Staffer? What is the average income for a Staff Staff Publicist & a Promotional Staffer?

Answer: according to the governments' 2006 outlook Average salary: Staff Staff Publicist in USA $38,00 Promotional Staffer in USA $33,000

Question: What is the difference between a music publicist and a music promoter? I believe they run hand and hand, but never hurts to do a little research.

Answer: Music publicist works with between the artist/record label and the media; writes/sends press releases. (Informational Journalist) Music promoter works as a link between the artist/record label and the fans more directly. (Professional "Hype-ologist")

Question: What should a person major in to become a publicist or agent? What about communications like journalism or social science like pre law or political science? what could a person minor in ? Business Administration

Answer: public relations