A music publicist arranges promotional events and interviews for clients to increase their fan base.
A music publicist helps rock groups, country singers and other musicians get media attention for their tour, performance, CD or video. They navigate the maze of publications, blogs, websites and radio stations to determine the best venues for the artist's image. A publicist escorts artists to scheduled interviews and follows up on publication or air dates with the media.
Strategy
A publicist devises strategies to sell an artist’s music to consumers. The strategy may involve marketing the band or singer to a certain audience. A young male singer may be interviewed by journalists for teen magazines and perform concerts at shopping malls or amusement parks where teenagers congregate. A publicist, along with the band’s manager, is responsible for perfecting the artist’s image via print, TV and Internet ads. A PR rep assists the record label or management marketing team in choice of photos, videos, websites and other media designed to enhance the artist’s public visibility and sales.
Publicizing New Releases
Staff publicists are responsible for writing press releases about new CD, DVD or digital download releases and sending them to the appropriate media. They then coordinate interviews to publicize the new music in a number of ways, like booking the musicians on a broadcast or college radio show and having them play a live set. A publicist arranges bios, news, press releases, photos and videos in an online EPK (electronic press kit) on the band’s or label’s website. They are responsible for sending hard copy press kits containing photos, CDs and press releases to outlets that request one. They may write a blog with band news or assist a band member with doing so.
Tour Publicity
Publicists write press releases to announce an artist’s tour. They set up radio, TV and print interviews with media in the cities where the act performs. A tour publicist coordinates contests and prize giveaways for fans, including meet and greets. He may oversee the guest list for the band, which determines who gets backstage or can watch the performance for free. He contributes tour updates to the band’s website or social media pages.
Coordinating Photo Shoots, In-Store Appearances and Parties
A publicist sets up photo shoots, CD and tour announcement parties and other special publicity events. PR reps need to be patient yet firm with all types of artists, record industry reps, journalists and fans to keep promotional parties running smoothly. They must work within budget and time constraints and still create optimum exposure for the artist.
Considerations
A music publicist must be outgoing and have a good knowledge of the entertainment industry. She must be organized to handle requests for artist interviews from bloggers, journalists, TV reporters and radio stations. A publicist must think on her feet, answering emails and phone calls in a timely fashion. She needs a smartphone or other mobile device to stay in touch with clients and media at all times. The ability to use email newsletter programs is a plus. A publicist should have stamina and a diplomatic personality, since she will deal with artists, music industry executives and the media on a daily basis.
Music Publicist Salary
According to SalaryExpert.com, the salary for music publicists varies from city to city. PR mavens in Los Angeles earn an average of $62,837 a year as of July 2010, while publicists in medium-sized cities earn less. In Phoenix, Arizona, for example, a music publicist earns an average of $47,357. Beginning publicists may intern for little or no money, or simply for college credit. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that publicists can earn from $31,140 at the low end of the pay scale to more than $97,910 in top positions.
