Do You Need a Music Publicist? Here is Advice

Are you an independent artist wanting the chance of being discovered? You might need a music publicist. Learn what a music publicist does and how to find the right publicist to advance your career.

A music publicist is a specialist who manages media and public relations on behalf of a music artist or group. They represent their client by overseeing, shaping, and maintaining their public image. They serve as a bridge between their client and the public with the use of media.

Music publicists also represent various other types of clients in the music business. This includes record labels, music venues, festivals, music studios, and music schools like ICON Collective.

A music publicist finds media opportunities and generates media coverage for their client to promote various projects. Most often, publicists work to secure press coverage for their clients’ upcoming activities.

For example, if an artist has a new single release, their publicist will write a press release for the song. They then send the release to music journalists to cover.

Day-to-day duties depend on the client. A music publicist’s job description can include various duties and responsibilities. For example:

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It’s easy for an artist to generate local buzz as they become more prominent in their scene. However, to reach the next level of notoriety, you’ll need a publicist.

These examples are worth paying a music publicist to oversee:

It’s a good time to bring in a publicist whenever you have a new album, EP, or single coming out on a prominent label.

Such a release represents a chance to boost exposure and reach potential fans in new parts of the world. With a well-run release campaign, you can go from unknown to famous in a manner of weeks.

Music videos are excellent for building excitement around a release. They’re also helpful in securing exclusive placement on music blogs and other outlets that feature videos.

Video marketing is one of the most effective ways to promote an artist. They play out the story a song is telling. The visuals also help connect an artist with an audience on a level beyond the music itself.

Touring or performing at prominent festivals mean your career is advancing. It’s worth paying a publicist to promote your upcoming gigs. It will boost exposure and generate excitement.

A good publicist will craft media releases, secure interviews, and attract attention to maximize audience turnout. It’s an excellent way to grow your fan base !

Landing an exclusive premiere on a music blog or magazine before its release is significant. It’s an excellent way to generate buzz and exposure before the release. It can also boost sales and attract new fans.

Are you pursuing music as a full-time career and becoming established in the scene? If so, then it may be time to consider a publicist.

An artist gaining momentum may not have time to self-promote. Here, a publicist can handle all the marketing strategies. It will also free time for the artist to focus on advancing their career.

Publicity should be one of the first concerns for someone ready to advance their music career. Where a manager helps an artist develop their artistic profile, a publicist spreads the word about their client’s profile.

Before searching for a publicist, consider these five factors:

Your story is more than the step-by-step process of how you ended up where you are. An artist’s story is what a publicist uses to pitch coverage.

Journalists and readers connect to a story. They don’t connect to name recognition or a sonic description. Figure out your story before working with a publicist.

What activities do you have coming up? It may not be worth hiring a publicist if the answer is a string of local shows or an independent release on SoundCloud.

You may be better off doing your own PR first to promote these campaigns at the start of your career. Connect with local music writers, create social media campaigns, and use online music marketing services to generate local buzz.

This approach will also help you build relationships and understand public relations. You’ll be better prepared when you’re ready to hire a publicist.

A strong brand can mean a significant social presence. Or, a compelling visual aesthetic. Branding is anything that sets you apart from thousands of other up-and-coming artists trying to make it.

If you have nothing that makes you stand out, there’s not much a publicist can do for you. It’s critical to build a brand and a public image as an artist !

Social networking also connects you with music industry peers and presents new opportunities. So, update your social media platforms and music website if you have one. Most importantly, interact with your fans and post engaging content on the regular.

Be realistic with your goals and expectations. Misconceptions about music publicity can create false expectations and disappointments.

It’s crucial to come prepared! A music PR firm may have strict criteria for accepting clients. Many also plan music publicity campaigns months in advance.

It’s helpful to have reasonable goals before approaching a music publicist. Make sure they know what you’re aiming to achieve. Ask questions, talk about your concerns, and communicate at every step.

Also, expect highs and lows during the campaign. PR campaigns can be an emotional roller coaster!

Once you reach a level when you need a publicist, finding one is easy. PR firms are always looking to take on new clients with great stories to tell.

Consider these five tips for finding a publicist:

Do some due diligence and research PR firms for a potential publicist.

Consider these five methods when researching a publicist for musicians:

Most PR firm websites like Planetary Group show their entire list of clients. Current and past. Researching a client list is the best way to choose a potential publicist.

Once you find a publicity firm with a relevant client list, run a search on their roster. Ensure their clients and campaigns align with your music. They will do a better job landing suitable coverage if they do.

Good PR firms are not cheap. Big-name artists are likely pulling seven figures per year. They have the money to hire the best.

If you’re not there yet, aim lower for more affordable options. Many online PR agencies can customize a full strategy based on your budget.

Also, ask your potential publicist about extra costs. Avoid getting blindsided with an unexpected bill.

Also, if your budget is tight, consider freelance music journalists. They’re an excellent option for independent artists with smaller budgets. Most journalists are excited to cover new artists if they have a good story. A good publicist doesn’t need to be expensive to tell your story.

Contact other artists you know at a similar stage when seeking a publicist. It’s likely they’re also looking and could have leads.

Also, network and meet artists with a good publicist. Ask if they can refer you to the right publicist. Many PR agents find artists from the referrals of industry friends or existing acts on their roster.

Publicists are in the business of selling memorable stories and brands. Get out and play shows, release music, create videos, engage with fans, etc. Start creating buzz to catch the attention of a publicist.

Also, ensure you have a quality electronic press kit (EPK). Make sure it’s easy to find and accessible. EPK’s help promoters, booking agents, venue talent buyers, journalists, labels, etc. learn more about you and your music.

A great publicist can boost an artists’ music career in a competitive media landscape. Here are four ways a publicist can help advance your career:

The publicist will land coverage in a variety of media outlets. For example, music blogs, radio airplay, television, magazines, and more. By spreading out coverage, the news will reach a larger number of people.

Having a strong personal network and a good professional reputation is essential for publicists. They work hard to build those relationships!

For example, music journalists receive hundreds of coverage pitches each week. To stand out in the competition, it’s helpful for them to connect with journalists on a personal level. This approach helps them secure opportunities.

Another essential part of building relationships is understanding individual preferences. For example, a journalist’s taste and interests drive what they cover.

A good publicist will also maximize their efforts by shopping pitches that fit a journalist’s past work. They will then make one piece of news work for many writers.

For example, say an artist hires a publicist to pitch a new music video. A good publicist will consider different types of coverage surrounding the one video.

Experienced publicists have an inherent sense of what excites journalists. To develop this skill, they must understand their clients’ stories.

Also, no two clients are identical. The right publicist will understand a client’s unique story and craft compelling narratives around it.

For example, any publicist can pitch a new song by its genre and record label. However, great publicists pitch the story behind the genre and label. For instance, why an artist makes music in a specific genre. Or, why they chose to release on the particular label.

Major labels often release a few singles from the album before it’s out. Each single is a different element. They may also record a music video for one or more singles on the album. Each video is an element, too.

These different elements can contribute to a publicity campaign. Good publicists see each element as an opportunity to expand coverage and build anticipation. They will also have the network to put those opportunities into action.

For example, they will secure news updates to focus on one element like a new single. They will then approach feature writers to write in-depth profiles for each element. They will also work with playlist curators to place singles in a prominent playlist.

A publicist is not the first person you should look for when building a team. However, when you reach the point where you have a public presence, a publicist will skyrocket your career.

At heart, publicists are storytellers. They work with you to tell your story through media campaigns and public-facing opportunities. With the right publicist, people will hear your music around the world.