Building a successful career in publishing
Publishing is one of the most highly sought-after careers in the world, pursued by individuals passionate about reading, editing, and developing books. It is a field that allows an individual to impact people through their writing and bring about change in the world. Whether it is fiction or non-fiction, publishers and writers play their part in motivating, inspiring, and educating millions of students around the globe. However, there are a few things that aspirants of publishing should keep in mind
No experience is a bad experience
Any experience in publishing is a good experience: the fact that an individual is willing to volunteer to commit himself to a field to attain references and experience always stands out on a CV. It also proves your dedication and commitment to undertake this career choice and provides you with some brownie points in the eyes of employers.
London is not the sole hub of this industry!
Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to move to London in order to excel at a career in publishing. Although a number of reputable publishing companies are located in London, there are other prospects available all around the world, no matter where you reside. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on your training and education rather than blaming your geographical location
PR is crucial for all!
Public relations is an immensely beneficial and transferable skill, and thus every PR interaction proves valuable for book publicists. You can promote yourself by using Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or other social media sites, or even visiting book events where renowned publishers are likely to be. You can converse with them about your ideas, which is considerably better than composing a CV and emailing it to publishers who are the least likely to take a good look at it. Once you make some acquaintances, sending around CVS is worth the chance. In addition, getting PR experience in a particular industry, you intend on working in in the future.
Use the Internet wisely
The internet has effectively metamorphosed the matter of book publishing and has made it into an exciting endeavor that surpasses the orthodox threshold of interviews, reviews, and appearing in print publications. Online and social media have given birth to a number of other ways of book promotion. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, publishers can opt for webinars or online reader offers, engaging with people who may develop a liking for a book. Since you can easily track your progress via online media, this route is a lot more productive than the conventional means of promotion.
Don’t shy away from inperson meetings
Becoming a book publisher means loads of meeting with people to make an impression and do it repeatedly without getting tired. It is crucial to look into the book fairs and other opportunities that you can attend and shortlist the publishers you would like to work for. Remember to not come off as too salesoriented as that can be a huge turn-off in the professional world. You may even drop off some CVS at the event, keeping in mind that the publishers may not get a chance to respond immediately because of their busy schedules. Even if you do not get an offer right away, they may still recall if a position opens up.
Don’t focus on the editorial domain alone
A publishing house is not merely its editing department but a complex amalgamation of sales, publicity, media, marketing, production, rights, and several other departments. Therefore, work positions in a publishing house do not start or end with the editorial department, and thinking so is unwise. It is crucial to develop other skills, such as social media skills to work in the other departments, and attain chances of promotion. Fields such as publicity, marketing, and production require devoted individuals with a knack for social media, and this can be a great way to kickstart your career and shift to the editorial department later on. Getting all the peripheral and relevant experience best convinces employers about your versatility.
You don’t need a Master’s degree to land your first job
Most people believe that a Master’s degree is a crucial prerequisite for landing a publishing job. That is, in no way, true. You can be considered a suitable candidate for a position if you hold the relevant work experience. The kind of necessary work experience depends upon the type of job you are trying to land: different jobs may prefer unpaid publishing internships, whereas others may look for the skills and knowledge gained while working for other companies. Although a Master’s degree can help you prosper in the field of publishing, it is not necessary to apply for an entry-level position. Employers are likely to hire an individual well-versed in the developments of their particular industry, which makes the employees look dedicated, educated, and well-informed.
The author is CEO, Oswaal Books
NEW DELHI: HT School organised an interaction with parents in the months of April and May at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in Saket and Sector-126, Noida.
The event, titled Parents’ Connect, intends to showcase and provide in-depth information to the parent ecosystem, on all the HT School properties proposed for the year, and how students can participate in these programs for their overall personality and skill development. School principals were asked to nominate a lead member, from the school PTA, who can actively dispense information about the properties among the parent community for the benefit of the students. At the event, properties lined up for the year were unveiled to an audience of enthusiastic parents who were impressed by the proposed set of events. This was followed by a guided tour of the art museum organised by KNMA. Parents then interacted with each other over high tea and shared their excitement over the different kind of new-age properties that were shared through the presentation. Subsequently, two activities to encourage creativity were organised by the KNMA staff where attendees were given raw materials like clay and wire to make art on-the-spot. Parents dug deep into their activities and did not hesitate to get their hands dirty. Over a 100 people from 50 schools including members of the PTA and teacher coordinators participated in the event. “This is the first time I attended such an event and I am glad I did so because I learnt a lot about new-age activities such as Hackathon and Ecothon. It is great that HT School decided to reach out to parents themselves because often we do not have enough information but that gap was also bridged through this activity. I also enjoyed visiting the collection on display at the museum,” said Samir Kumar Sinha, PTA member, DPS, Greater Noida. “The properties unveiled by HT School are excellent. Students will gain exposure to various activities through these properties and HT is doing a great job,” said Sandhyashree Sarkar, teacher, Laxman Public School, Hauz Khas.