Whether an artiste is doing music as a hobby or for commercial reasons, if that music needs to reach a certain audience who will later be fans then the artiste needs a music publicist.

A music publicist manages media and public relations on behalf of the artiste/ brand. 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:

Shape your Story

A good publicist shapes your story. Great music is good but you also need a great story and your publicist helps you shape that. Whether it is a single, music video, album, tour or whatever project that you are releasing, it needs an interesting and workable angle that will get the attention of the media. 

What is interesting about you? What is interesting about your project? What start worthy quality do you have that makes you press worthy? A publicist will formulate and package a good story that will get media’s attention.

Comes Up with a Release strategy

It’s not what you release and it’s how you release it! An artiste could have a great project or a big announcement to put out but if the release is not well plan and executed, the release might not get the coverage that it deserves meaning it won’t reach the targeted audience as it should.

A publicist will listen to the artiste’s ideas, goals and expectations of the release and he/ she will come up with a release strategy that will guide them throughout the campaign period.

Gets Media Coverage

When an artiste needs media coverage for their release or big announcement, they need to get a publicist.

A publicist builds relationships with media outlets and journalists in the music scene that they leverage on to pitch music releases, stories and other campaigns for coverage. He / she not only pitches your story, but follows up to secure media coverage, radio & TV interviews that in turn boosts the artiste’s brand, fan base & exposure.

Strategic Communication & Media Training

As an artiste, getting the interviews and the media attention is one thing but being able to sell yourself and the project that you are pushing is another.

A publicist will walk the artiste (especially new artistes) through the art of communicating while appearing on the media, how to answer questions and how to be at your best and deliver so as to ensure you have your audience/ fans glued to the interview till the end and later follow you on your relevant platforms for more engagement.

Develop an artiste’s public image and brand

A publicist is in a position to develop an artiste’s public image and branding. He / she will let you know if your public image needs work and can help you develop a voice and an image for your brand.

A music publicist will have some good recommendations for photographers, fashion stylist & great graphic designers that can help you kick up your image a top notch

Write press releases, Biographies & EPK’s

A publicist will not only come up with a release strategy but will go ahead and curate a press release write a bio/ EPK for the artiste if the artiste does not have any or fine tune it if it’s existing.

The article is by Agnes Nonsizi, founder Terazo New Media