As the frontlist Marketing and Publicity Manager for Ooligan Press, when asked what I do, I’ve started answering with: “Emails!” I start every workday by checking my inbox, as that is the best indicator of my day or week’s to-do list.

A majority of my position is digital collaboration: reviewing Marketing or Publicity documents for project teams, corresponding with Project Managers, or reaching outside Ooligan for various extracurricular publishing activities.

Marketing and Publicity are actually two distinct departments at Ooligan Press. The role of Marketing and Publicity Manager is unique because it is one of the few positions that is currently combined; while the responsibilities vary, the skillset is similar.

On any given weekday, the Marketing inbox is likely to feature:

• Blurb Requests. A Project Manager is letting me know that their project team has finished drafting requests for blurbs for their book. It is now my turn to review these drafted documents, leaving edits, comments, and feedback all pertaining to revising these documents with a marketing focus. This may involve using more persuasive language, outlining stronger connections between our book and the blurber we are reaching out to, or highlighting what is so special about this relationship, as each blurb request is catered to each blurber we reach out to. 

• Meeting Invitations. If a project team is working on something related to Marketing, they may ask me to visit their team meeting sometime in the upcoming weeks, to discuss. This may involve presenting slides on the topic, such as the persona exercise, marketing plan (specifically the hook and back cover copy), branding brief, CoreSource tipsheet, or blurb requests. Recently, I’m experimenting with a more hands-on approach, where applicable, where the PM presents slides to the team, and I follow up at the next meeting to be available for follow-up questions and discuss troubleshooting when an Oolie gets stuck on something while drafting a document. I am always available to project teams or other departments for Marketing (and Publicity) conversations, and I find that being available for live collaboration is most productive.

On any given weekday, the Publicity inbox is likely to include:

• Review Requests. Similar to blurb requests, a Project Manager may be letting me know that their project team has finished drafting requests for reviews for their book. The process parallels that of blurb requests, though I keep different elements in mind when reviewing these documents, as reviews do not require the exact same protocol as blurbs do. 

• Meeting Invitations. Likewise, if a project team is working on something related to Publicity, they may ask me to visit their team meeting sometime in the upcoming weeks, to discuss. In this case, conversations may include review requests, as well as press kits, which consist of a one sheet, press release, discussion questions, and interview questions, among other things.

• Confirmation Emails or Invoices from Awards. After I’ve submitted one of our books for an award, I sometimes receive a confirmation email. Invoices from payments for submitting these awards are also a regular occurrence.

• IPS Update Prompts. When something notable happens with one of our books, it is my responsibility to alert Ingram Publishing Services (IPS) to keep them in the loop. A Project Manager or the Publisher’s Assistant may alert me to any new media or event by tagging me in the relevant document, prompting me to follow up. From there, I draft an IPS update to send to the relevant people, with any pertinent links or additional details I can supply.

While that is just a glimpse into my inboxes, I hope it provides an easy introduction to what a day in the life of a Marketing and Publicity Manager at Ooligan Press looks like. Based on my inbox, I can outline my week; meet with one project team on Wednesday, connect with another Project Manager on Thursday. Review blurb requests this week, anticipate review requests next week. Confirm that email with the Publisher’s assistant, follow up on that other one with the Publisher. And so on. No matter what, You’ve got mail!

Blog written by Rory Miner.