Most Important Skills for a Book Marketing and Publicity Coordinator at Penguin Random House
Rylie, a Book Marketing & Publicity Coordinator at Penguin Random House, emphasizes the importance of "being detailed and focused," along with strong project management skills given the industry's "conveyor belt" workflow. Excellent communication skills are also crucial for building relationships with media contacts and fostering a passion for the authors and their work.
Project Management, Communication, Detail-Oriented, Organizational Skills, Passion for Books
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rylie Walsh
Book Marketing & Publicity Coordinator
Penguin Random House
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University Chicago, MBA
Communications
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Detail-orientation and organization are crucial for catching errors in book production.
2. Project management skills are essential for navigating the various stages of the publishing process.
3. Excellent communication skills are vital for interacting with authors, media personnel, and other professionals in the industry.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
Definitely, someone needs to be detail-oriented. We're creating physical books, and we have to catch any errors. So, being organized, detailed, and focused is a crucial baseline skill.
Another big thing in publishing is project management. It's like a chain of events: acquisitions, editorial, sales, marketing, PR. Everything happens in line, so you need to manage your workflow because there's always something new coming up.
Communication is also vital, especially on the PR side. When I'm talking with podcasters or people who want to interview our authors, I'm often dealing with assistants or executive team members. Email etiquette and clear communication are important, ensuring tasks stay organized until completed.
Essentially, being able to project manage and have strong interpersonal communication skills is key. This helps in setting things up, making connections, and building relationships with podcasters and TV networks, as we often work with the same people multiple times.
Finally, passion for what you're helping build is important. I've loved meeting our authors at in-person conventions and truly start to care for everyone I work with. That connection is also significant.