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Publicist: Job Description, Info, & Job Openings 2022

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A publicist helps a brand, business, or individual communicate to their audience.

The career is important because you’re working as the public-facing entity of a brand.

You have the power to reach the customers and gain their trust.

What Is a Publicist?

A publicist helps generate attention for companies, public figures, movies, and more. You’re responsible for the public image of whoever you’re representing.

What Is a Publicist Called?

While publicist is the most common job title, other names for this role can include:

  • Brand Ambassador
  • Content Strategist
  • Director of Public Relations
  • Public Affairs Specialist

What Does a Publicist Do?

A publicist helps clients find their brand and the tone of their communications. They create press releases, compile press kits, and draft social media content. Anything relating to the public image of your client falls within your realm of responsibilities.

Work Opportunities in the Publicist Industry

If you have attention to detail, great writing skills, and an inclination to put a positive spin on things, then you’re ready for the role of a publicist.

Publicist Job Description

A publicist needs to ensure their client stays in positive favor with their audience and the general public. For this job, you’ll manage the daily relations with the media and your client’s social media. Pitching books, interviews, and public appearances also factor into your workload.

If you’re working for a company, you might have the task of creating a buzz around their latest product. You can write the press release, reach out to celebrities for endorsements, and schedule the founder to appear on well-known talk shows.

Top Publicist Jobs and Careers

This broad overview of what publicists do makes you wonder about the top jobs.

  • Speech Writer: A speech writer researches the event’s topic and writes content that suits the theme in terms of information and tone.
  • Social Media Director: In this role, you oversee the social media accounts for a company or public figure, including posting content, commenting, and replying to DMs.
  • Communications Coordinator: Publicists with this job oversee all outbound aspects of a business’s communications, including social media posts, newsletters, and public statements.

Where Can a Publicist Work?

Publicists can work in any industry that communicates with the public. For public figures, you manage their appearances, speeches, and social media. Companies use publicists to help craft press releases and viral ad campaigns. A publicist at a nonprofit helps with fundraising and public image.

What It’s Like To Be a Publicist

Being a publicist requires a lot of attention to detail, so make sure you can juggle everything the client will need from you. You want to be confident in your writing and public speaking skills since so much of the job revolves around communication.

Is Being a Publicist Hard?

Being a publicist can be hard in certain industries and at certain times. If you work for a company launching a new product, you might find the job tough as you’re amping up for the new ad campaign and press releases.

Is a Publicist’s Job Stressful?

A publicist’s job can be stressful. You’re the forward-facing representation for a company or public figure. It comes down to you when there’s a conflict in the public eye, so you need to keep a level head and approach the issue without making it worse.

Common Publicist Work Day

You can do many different tasks when you’re a publicist. That makes it hard to outline a specific work day, but you can get an idea of the structure.

Publicist Tasks & Duties

Publicists do anything from writing press releases, handling interview requests, pitching appearances, and managing social media. A publicist will also analyze responses to communications, such as email newsletter statistics and social media replies. This information colors how they move forward.

Publicist Work Hours & Schedule

Some publicists work a typical eight-hour day, especially if their employer is an established brand that doesn’t have any emergencies. If you’re working for a public figure, you’re almost always on-call in an emergency that needs handling.

Publicist Dress Code

Since a publicist is often the face of the company, they need to look professional. Some publicists wear business formal clothing, but others wear business casual or even hip clothing, in the case of celebrity publicists.

Does This Career Field Embrace Work/Life Balance?

The work/life balance greatly depends on your client. If you’re working for a public figure, you might have to work nights and weekends. Publicists working for established companies work standard hours, with a night or weekend necessary during a big campaign.

Do Publicists Make Good Money?

Publicists can make good money depending on their clients. Firms and celebrities can pay more, but working for smaller brands can feel rewarding.

How Much Do Publicists Make?

Publicists make anywhere from $30,000 to $75,000 a year, depending on their clients. As you gain experience, you can negotiate for higher pay.

Publicist Field: Career Progression

Publicists start as interns to get experience before taking on clients. You might work for many brands in different capacities if you join a public relations firm. Companies may hire you directly to work exclusively as their publicist.

Overview of the Publicist Industry

Before becoming a publicist, ensure you understand the industry.

Is a Publicist a Good Career?

Yes, being a publicist is a good career for many people who love communicating and helping others.

Publicist Job Outlook

The publicist job outlook is strong because brands need professionals on their side.

Demand for Publicists

The demand for publicists grows as social media expands. Brands don’t want to risk letting an inexperienced person post because backlash can lose customers.

Publicist Facts

  • The field has grown 11% in the past ten years. Every brand wants qualified publicists to handle their communication.
  • You can be a publicist for any industry, from major corporations to smaller nonprofits.
  • Edward Bernays, the founder of public relations, often called it a type of applied social science.

Jobs Related to Publicist

If being a publicist isn’t right for you, there are plenty of similar jobs.

  • Journalist: Use your communication skills to share the news with the world.
  • Marketing Manager: Similar to a publicist’s job, a Marketing Manager helps companies promote their products and services to the public.
  • Charity Events Organizer: Combine event planning and public relations to help others.

Requirements, Skills, and Education Required for Publicists

Becoming a publicist takes work on the front end. Make sure it’s right for you.

Who Should Consider a Publicist Career Path?

Anyone who’s detail-oriented should consider becoming a publicist.

Who Should NOT Consider a Publicist Career Path?

People with poor writing skills wouldn’t like the amount of communication required as a publicist.

Is It Hard To Become a Publicist?

It’s not hard to become a publicist once you get your foot in the door and prove you’re passionate about the field.

What Do I Need To Become a Publicist?

The things you need to become a publicist include education and interpersonal skills.

Requirements for Becoming a Publicist

There are no set requirements to become a publicist. You’ll never have trouble finding clients if you do the job well.

What Skills Does a Publicist Need?

Publicists need to be strong in these critical skills:

  • Spoken communication
  • Written reports
  • Level-headed thinking

You should be ready to look at things you say or write from every angle to ensure it won’t alienate the public.

What Education Does a Publicist Need?

A publicist needs a Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Master’s degrees can help you develop your skills, but they’re not necessary.

Can You Become a Publicist Without a Degree?

Yes, you can, especially if you have any relevant experience listed on your resume and credible references.

What Experience Does a Publicist Need?

Experience is the biggest key to becoming a publicist. You need to jump in and show people that you’re willing to work hard and keep their reputations shining.

Publicist Education & Schooling

Publicist courses can strengthen your current degrees.

What Is Taught in a Publicist Course?

You’ll learn strategies in public relations, advertising, and various types of writing.

How Long Does a Publicist Course Take?

It can take anywhere from eight months to two years to complete a public relations Master’s degree.

Publicist Education Options and Degree Programs

As publicists handle many different tasks, several degrees can help you in the field.

Bachelor’s Degree

Many publicists get Bachelor’s degrees in writing-intensive majors, like Journalism, Communication, Marketing, Advertising, or even English.

Master’s Degree

If you go on for a Master’s degree, consider expanding your knowledge by studying a related field. Some universities even offer Public Relations concentrations.

Schools for Publicists

Many colleges and universities offer degree programs that help you become a publicist. Some schools offer Public Relations degrees if you want to spotlight your ideal career.

Steps To Become a Publicist

First, get your degree. Studying a subject like journalism, communications, or marketing is best. You can also choose to get an English degree and then get a Master’s in another field.

Next, get an internship. Sometimes working publicists will let you shadow them. Public relations firms are often looking for interns as well. This step helps you make connections in the field.

Finally, put your education, internship, and work history on a resume and apply for publicist jobs. Keep copies of materials so you can show your portfolio. Dress in business formal for the interview to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward.

Current Career Job Openings

Publicists are always in demand. Check out the current job openings to see how to best use your skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

You learned a lot about becoming a publicist and how the job looks. If you need more information, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.

Do all celebrities have publicists?

Not all celebrities have publicists. For example, actors working on a network show might let the network’s publicity department work for them. However, many celebrities prefer to let a publicist handle their public image, especially if they’re trying to gain popularity or are controversial.

What is the difference between a publicist and a manager?

A publicist helps you address your audience, mostly through the media, social media, and other avenues of communication. You pay a publicist for this service. A manager helps keep your career on track and growing in the right direction. They take a portion of your income as payment.

Wrapping Up

Becoming a publicist is a great idea for someone who’s detail-oriented and loves to write and speak in front of groups. If you have the right skills for this field, click here to check out current publicist job listings.

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