Angie Brillhart is a publicist with Barbour Publishing, Inc. Her duties include media relations, author relations, coordinating promotional materials for authors and book signings, developing and implementing new publicity campaigns with Barbour’s marketing team, and working with blog tour alliances for book promotion. A current member of the Public Relations Society of America, Angie enjoys representing Barbour authors and likes to hear why they write what they write. Her interests include networking, reading (good thing!), spending time with her family, and volunteering her time for several nonprofit organizations. Angie and her husband, Scott, live in central Ohio.

Media relations. Coordinating promotional materials. Contacting authors. As Barbour Publishing’s in-house publicist, I definitely wear quite a few hats. But I have the opportunity to work with some great authors, media professionals, and coworkers who make my job easier!

One of the most important things I’ve discovered is that it takes a certain personality to work in public relations. Maybe a little craziness or hyperactivity is in order. Either that or a Type A personality! But PR pros definitely have to love people. Though that may seem a little trite, it’s no secret that many times clients are able to sense when enthusiasm or energy is forced.

Every job has aspects to it that are less enjoyable than other tasks, but publicists have the opportunity to find what is “good,” to find the hook that draws people to their product, and promote it! I find it a joy to talk with our authors, to find out what makes them tick, and why they write the way they do. I love to hear the spiritual emphasis behind a plot, or why an author created a certain character. When I know what is behind their writing and who they are as authors, I can better promote their books. It’s really that simple. Plus, I have found that when authors know you’re interested in their work, they will go the extra mile to help you promote their books.

When it comes to dealing with the media and a great host of interesting reviewers, a little nugget of truth one of my college professors said has stuck with me throughout my career. He warned his class that many communications professionals use “inappropriate means of persuasion” to get their points across. Citing 1 Thessalonians 2:3–6, my professor commented on the importance of not using deceit, flattering words, or

self-glorification techniques to try to persuade others to our way of thinking. What a great code for everyone to live by—not just public relations professionals!

Building relationships is another huge part of the business and often takes the pressure off trying to find just the right publicity campaign. When media professionals and reviewers trust a publicist, they know they will get the truth in the information they are looking for—not just what the publicist thinks they want to hear. And when the publicist goes the extra mile to help them, they will keep looking to that publicist for information. It’s a win-win situation for both parties involved. But different media have different needs. And getting the contacts and maintaining them takes time and effort, something we PR pros have to be willing to give.

Other intriguing aspects of publicity include the variety, creativity, and growing trends that surround the industry. Barbour’s marketing and sales departments bring creativity to the table when we’re setting up book signings and author events or developing publicity campaigns for new releases. “Thinking outside the box” can be great, but we have to be willing to take the notes, make a change, and move on when a campaign doesn’t work out quite like we think it should. Social media is becoming so prominent that it now has to be a part of every publicity campaign, and sometimes that can be a challenge.

Many of my comments might seem rather general, but there’s nothing that takes the place of getting to know the media and audience you’re targeting . . . or keeping up with growing trends. (I’m still working on Twitter!) As a publicist, I need to be available, reliable, and teachable. And most important, very easy to contact!