5 Things To Keep in Mind When Hiring a Publicist
When you decide to start a business, one of the most important factors of success is making sure you're getting the right publicity and attention for your service or product. You can have the next big thing in your arsenal but if no one knows about it then it means nothing! When choosing the right person or agency to represent your brand, it is important to do your research and find someone who truly believes in your business the same way you do and has the skills needed for success. Trying to find this person can be stressful, but here are 5 things to keep in mind when hiring a publicist:
Make sure they have professional experience. Publicists who have had experience in the newsroom or in a corporate setting are more likely to have success securing media placements and they have a better understanding of how to write a pitch that will actually be picked up. You can rely on this person’s experience and skills to know the right audience, approach and contacts to get your brand out there.
Do they believe in your brand? Your publicist should be your biggest cheerleader and believe in your brand even when things aren't going the way you want them to! Make sure they are as passionate about your message and goals as you are. Pay attention to the other clients and brands that they represent. Are they similar to your own? How does she/he speak about the work they’ve already done?
Success probably won’t come overnight. Although there are some rare occasions when your brand/pitch will get picked up instantly and take off, that is definitely not the norm. It will take strategy, time, and creativity to see a real return on your investment in a professional PR campaign. Give your publicist at least 3-6 months to build and execute a PR plan for your brand before evaluating success.
You have to be willing to listen. There is a difference between wanting your business to grow and being ready to fully invest in a PR strategy. It is important that you have a clear understanding of what your brand is and what your goals are, but you have to be willing to pivot and adjust when needed. Your publicist may suggest PR tactics you haven't thought of, suggest targeting a new audience, or push you to get more detailed about what your brand is. Be willing to listen!
Quality over quantity. Oftentimes people think that if a publicist is pitching your brand every day, three times a day, and casting the widest net they can for outreach, that they are doing real PR when that is not the case. A good publicist will have a strategy set that makes sure your brand is being targeted to the right audience at the right time.
Are you ready to connect with an agency that meets all these qualifications and more? Set up your free discovery call with The Couture Agency’s Director, Demia Doggette today. Send an email to hello@thecoutureagency.com, with the subject line “Discovery Call.”
-Aleisha Baker