Posted by Amber in Bombshell Files
In the four and half years I’ve been a beauty blogger, I’ve heard and read PR maven Nicole Garner‘s name many a time! Nicole has worked with major celebrities and lifestyle brands including Jaguar, Ciara, Estelle, Amar’e Stoudemire, African Pride Hair Care, Porsche, Adidas and Xbox. In the past couple years I’ve worked with Nicole’s agency, The Garner Circle PR, on a few product posts, but I hadn’t had the pleasure of spending time with Nicole herself until my recent trip to London with MegaGrowth Hair Care, one of the many brands Nicole represents.
Her professionalism and ability to produce a fabulous event were inspiring to witness. I also had some time to pick her brain, and her generosity and willingness to share her expertise and advice was definitely appreciated (not to mention totally refreshing!) in a business where people are all too unwilling to share what they know with others.
So I wasn’t all that surprised when I found out that Nicole had recently published a book sharing what she has learned throughout her career as a PR maven. “Are You In Inc: PR’s Alter Ego” gives readers a look behind the glamorous world of Public Relations and details the nitty gritty of what it really takes to make it in PR. If all this doesn’t make Nicole Garner a Brown Bombshell, I don’t know who is!
I recently had the opportunity to chat Nicole up about her new book, her business and her favorite beauty products (you know I had to ask!). Read on!
You’ve worked successfully in the PR industry for many years. What prompted you to write “Are You In Inc: PR’s Alter Ego” now?
This is the book I wanted when I was twenty- two years old and jumping into the world of publicity, wide – eyed and unaware of what was ahead. After many years of first-hand experiences, groundbreaking campaigns, and my fair share of horror stories, looking back I realized that the process did not have to be so long and tedious. I then vowed that someday I would gather everything that I learned along the way, compile my findings in a book and share with those who have this unexplainable adoration for the profession of publicity. After teaching a course on public relations at Georgia State University, I had compiled enough content to complete a thorough guide and knew that now was the time to share this knowledge in a book format.
What will readers be surprised to learn about the PR business after reading the book?
That this book is an easy read. I also compiled interviews from celebrities such as Janelle Monae, editors from BET.com, DailyCandy.com and publicists from Sony Films and more to give real world advice on the world of publicity. I also included tips of the trade that I have learned on my own career journey in the world of PR.
What advice do you have for those who want to work in PR?
Reputation is everything, never sacrifice it.
You do a lot of work with various lifestyle brands. What is different or unique about working with your clients in the beauty industry?
The beauty industry is a fun industry because of the huge influence social media plays in the consumer’s impression of a brand. Women rely on YouTube for hair and makeup tutorials, ask questions on beauty products through Facebook and Twitter, find out about new products through blogs, and combine it with the traditional touch and feel of a product. This new climate of consumer practice, makes our agency (The Garner Circle PR) have to constantly stay ahead of the curve.
You’re behind a lot of the hottest launch parties and events for beauty brands. What makes for a great beauty event that stands out from the rest?
Bringing the product to life. We specialize in taking an item from the shelf to the minds and hearts of the brand’s target market.
What are your favorite beauty essentials when you’re on the go or working one of your events?
I travel quite a lot so for my flights I usually bring a facial mist such as Evian. Also, I am addicted to Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin D Serum, African Pride’s Silky Edges, Vixen By Kimber Lashes, my Beauty Blender, pure coconut oil and lots and lots of gloss!
What can publicists or those looking to do their own PR take from this book?
“Are You In Inc: PR’s Alter Ego” is an ultimate guide that focuses on niche Public Relations and publicity disciplines of fashion, music, entertainment and film. This complete manual is filled with everything one needs to know about the fabulous world of PR equipped with very specific tools of the trade.This book contains tricks of the trade regarding how to achieve millions of media impressions and generate large scale publicity campaigns, tips for seamlessly merging technology into PR strategy, and how to get in the ink of major magazines and blogs.
Where can we find you online? Where can we purchase your book?
My PR agency can be found online at www.TheGarnerCircle.com. You can follow me on Twitter@TheGarnerCircle, and Instagram @tgcPRagency and on Facebook.com/TheGarnerCirclePR. The Twitter and Instagram hashtag for “Are You In Inc: PR’s Alter Ego” is #AreYouInInc.
To purchase the book you can visit www.AreYouInInc.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and it is also Available on Kindle.
What is next for you, Nicole?
To celebrate the books launch I have joined forces with Amazon Publishing and am doing a multi-market book tour titled, “Running In Heels – Diary Of A Publicist”. For book tour stops and dates, visithttp://runninginheelstour.
Thanks to Nicole for sharing her story! I’m super excited to bring the Bombshell Files series back, so if there’s anyone you’d like to see me interview, let me know in the comments!
