Hiring a Publicist: Fees and Accountability
Hiring a Publicist? Learn about how publicists charge and what to expect before diving in to ensure you get your money's worth!
Over the years I have found that authors are increasingly confused over
two issues - the variety of fees charged and how to measure the publicists'
performance and accountability. First the issue of fees.
Some publicists charge by the hour, some charge 'per venue' booked, with
fees based on their performance (this is probably the most fair for the
author), some charge a flat monthly rate , and some charge per city toured.
Most
publicists require money up front (a retainer), from which fees and
expenses can be deducted. Retainers vary from $1,500 to $20,000, depending
on the size and reputation of the firm. When retainers are not collected,
publicists are too often left holding the bag, and end up spending more time as a
collector than a publicist.
Hourly rates also vary, in a range from $50 to $150/hr., as do per venue
charges. The larger firms often charge greater per venue fees. For example:
while smaller firms charge $1,000 for an Oprah booking, larger firms feel this
booking is worth $5,000. Even though the outcome from an Oprah booking can be
phenominal, the cost for the appearance is not always relative.
The other concern, that I hear all too often, surrounds accountability on
the performance of the publicist, despite the fee arrangement. When a
publicist does not provide a performance log (listing which media outlets
were contacted and the outcome) authors have the right to question
accountability - what they have received, in exchange for their money. This
seems to be especially true when authors are charged by the hour, or a flat
monthly rate, in instances when they do not net the number of bookings that
they had anticipated.
It is a harsh fact, that despite the best efforts of any publicist, first
time, uncredentialed authors, releasing a unique, 'niche,' non-fiction, or
concept-fiction novel, will not net as many interviews, reviews, or feature
articles as mainstream topics. Normally, non-fiction authors, who are
experts on the topic for which they have written, draw the greatest attention
from the media. This rule does not always apply, and surprises do
happen, when books are based on true incidents (Civil Action) or stories that
can be tied-in with high profile (current) news stories.
When a publicist accepts a first-timer with a ho-hum book it is
probably best that the publicist require a lower retainer amount, and not
oversell the outcome. By focusing more on local print and radio media, and
scheduling book signings and appearances that match the audience, they can
still perform well for their client, and leave the author smiling.
As more and more authors release books, and as the literary publicity and
promotion industry becomes more competitive, there is a cry for us to be fair
and equitable in what we charge and more accountable for what we do. This is
good thing for our industry and can be a win-win for everyone.
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