Tips for Hiring a Publicist

When hiring a Publicist make sure to conduct a research on their credentials, and old client recommendation. Make sure that the Publicist you are hiring is a top-notch publicist. Some publicist only care about is their own egos. To help you start on your own journey on find a good publicist I will provide some tips on finding the one. There are many reasons why you want to hire a publicist; but only you know what you and/or your business needs. Be aware that a publicist can be very costly, and if you decide to go the cheap route - well, you get what you paid for. Here are some tips along with interview questions you might want to ask:

Tip 1: Yellow pages - in some states you can find a publicist or a PR firm in their yellow pages. This is the most easies way to finding and start your search a publicist.

Tip 2: Newspaper - Place an ad in the paper in the help wanted section, with people constantly looking for work a publicist is likely would be very interested in getting out of his regular nine to five job.

Tip 3: Search Engines - perform an online search using google, yahoo, of windows live search - these search engines are not necessary, you can use what ever engine you feel comfortable with.

Tip 4: Social Networks - with business now advertising their services online you are likely to found a publicist on social networks like, myspace.com; facebook.com; Bebo.com; etc.

Tip 5: Blogs - blogs are another great way to find a good publicist. There hundreds of blogs that are focus on Public Relation. You can contact the writer of that blog and ask them if they will be interested on been your publicists. Most of the time they will be. If they are no a publicists just the blog's writer ask him/her if they can point you in the right direction.

Tip 6: Network - if you are business owner, writer, entertainer and have friends in the business you can ask them if they know some one; if their publicist know of other publicist. It will not hurt to ask.

Tip 7: Ads Online - the next time you are browsing the net make sure to pay attention to the ads on those websites you are on. A lot of times they are a good resource.

Tip 8: Books - Some books - whatever they are on - usually have their publicist's name some where in the book. Keep in mind that if you want those publicist, they will cost you a fortune.

Tip 9: Radio - some radio stations - in some states - have a list of publicist they use or their guest has use. Contact them and ask the if they know of anyone.

Tip 10: PR Agency - a PR firm is a great place to hire a publicist. You know that their agents are going to be great. Make sure to do a background check on those agencies.

When receiving application from any make sure that they posses good qualities. Here some tips on those qualities you would want to keep in mind:

Tip 1: Pitch - make sure that they can deliver a good 30 second direct pitch.

Tip2: Media kit - see if they can also create a media kit that the media will enjoy and will take the time to read it themselves.

Tip 3 Money Saving - this is the most important quality you want to make sure they have. If they can save you money when they can save money when possible you are more on your way to hiring a publicist. Ask them How they will save you money? Saving money is a quality a publicist can have.

Tip 4: PR Campaign - you will want to make sure that they can create a campaign for you and/ or your business.

Tip 5: Contacts - as them if they have any media contacts. Contacts are great for your publicist to get you and/or business going the right direction.

Tip 6: Writing- a publicist needs to be able to write some enticing letters, email, etc. His words needs to be able to grabs people attentions.

Tip 7: Caring - this should be number one to you. Make sure that they care about you and your goals. If a publicist acts like they do not care they you will have problems.

Tip 8: Satisfying - this is another quality all publicist should have; to satisfy their clients.

Once you locate a potential publicist or a PR firm ask the questions so that you can make sure that they are the perfect fit for you and/or your business.

Question 1: Do you or a your firm specialize in a certain area?
Question 2: Who Will be working on my campaign? (if you are talking to a PR firm)
Question 3: Do you have any writing and editing skills?
Question 4: How would you pitch my campaign?
Question 5: Do you have other clients, if so will my account be lost in your database? (Dealing with firm)
Question 6: What type of contract you are in search of? (Insist if dealing a month-to-month contract. This is way if they do not get the job done you can let them go)
Question 7 : Mow much do you charge?
Question 8: If I hire you what do I get in return?
Question 9: Do you have any recommendations?( Try to obtain other client's contact information)

If you follow these tips giving to you in this article you will be able to hire, not only a good publicist, a publicist that will be working with you for a very long time. A word of advice, be cautious of red-flags. Some of those red-flags are as follow:

1.Acting pushy and rude
2.Inexperience
3.Cheap
4.Writes with typos and misspelling
5.Does not explain how they will work on your project