Media Coverage Equals Visibility, Not Wealth

Publicist, Author, and Activist Dylan Thomas Cotter

As a publicist, I often encounter people unfamiliar with how the media functions who make assumptions about finances based on media exposure. To clear the air, in no way, shape, or form am I compensated when I am quoted as a source in a media publication. So when you read my name in something, I am providing thought-leader insights gratis in exchange for visibility. That’s not how I make money.

That said, media visibility does not pay my bills. That comes from clients, speaking opportunities, and book sales. More often than not, I get hit up via email asking for money, me getting hit up for cash as a gay transgender entrepreneur, while the country continues to attempt to take away my human and civil rights. It’s just not the move to assume anyone has the funds to let go of, especially myself as a trans man right now. I’ll say that as a gay transgender man, I was hit up for money in one of the most ridiculous occurrences a few weeks ago, after I had provided commentary to a newer publication with an underdeveloped web domain authority ranking. I was then told, “Hey, this quote is great. If you want us to hyperlink to your business website in the article, it’ll be $300.” This also isn’t typical. That said, I will be unavailable to provide commentary to that particular website for the duration of my lifetime because that’s not how it’s done. That’s how people act when they see large brand names attached to that of your own in some form.

To be hit up for money from multiple angles from individuals and publications shows an obvious lack of comprehension and disconnect that many cisgender people apparently have relating to the lived reality of what transgender people like myself are facing at this point in history. Because you see my name appear somewhere, do not be so daft as to make assumptions about my financial situation. It’s expensive to be trans, and no one offers up financial support as they do when people celebrate other milestones in their lives, such as weddings, graduations, etc. So when I, as a gay trans man, start to become more visible and start getting hit up for cash by cisgender people, I have zero patience for it.

All that said, it is Pride season, rather than investing your money into a rainbow-washed t-shirt from a corporation that could give a fuck whether LGBTQIA+ people live or die, perhaps consider this year to support small LGBTQIA+ business owners, authors, and entrepreneurs.

I’d be happy for you to read both of my books, THINK LIKE A TRANSGENDER THOUGHT LEADER and TRANSGENDER & TRIGGERING THE LIFE OF DYLAN THOMAS COTTER. I do, however, know that I'm more likely to be hit with donation requests all month. Clearly, I’m not the guy for that; I’m actually the guy who would benefit from any support because what I do generates a lot of buzz, and buzz isn’t something I can pay for my cost of living with.

I’ll say it again: while I am creating and providing resources for my community, I would also benefit from new culturally competent PR clients, paid speaking opportunities, and some book sales. If you’re feeling like this year you have not yet read any entertaining books from gay transgender men, well, I can’t wait to read your review of my books.

ABOUT DYLAN THOMAS COTTER:

Rebel with a cause, driven by authenticity, self-expression, and liberation for all.

***Dylan Thomas Cotter*** is a strategist, public relations leader, and brand communications executive with more than fifteen years of experience at the intersection of entertainment, media, and technology.

***Cotter is known for securing numerous Tier 1 (top-tier) and Tier 2 media placements across key markets including but not limited to GQ, Rolling Stone, Out Magazine, The Advocate, Pride, Inked Magazine, Real Simple, VICE, KTLA, Reader’s Digest, Mashable, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Life UK, Newsweek, Men’s Health, Parade Magazine, Betches, U.S. News & World Report, Women’s Health Magazine, NursingColleges.com, Women.com, South China Morning Post, Truthout, MIC, The Manual, Curl Magazine, International Business Times UK, TechRound, GB News, The Irish Star US, The Mirror, MSN and AOL*.**

Cotter is an advisor to founders, artists, and executives on brand positioning, reputation, corporate social responsibility, and strategic communications. As an openly gay transgender professional, ***Dylan Thomas Cotter*** is committed to fostering inclusive, respectful, and affirming work environments.

His latest book, ***THINK LIKE A TRANSGENDER THOUGHT LEADER, is out now, and his memoir, [TRANSGENDER & TRIGGERING THE LIFE OF DYLAN THOMAS COTTER](https://www.transgenderandtriggering.com), is available now at [Barnes & Noble](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/transgender-triggering-the-life-of-dylan-thomas-cotter-dylan-thomas-cotter/1146884732), [Harvard Book Store](https://www.harvard.com/book/9798348476281), [Book Soup](https://booksoup.com/book/9798348476281), and [Skylight Books](https://www.skylightbooks.com/book/9798348476281),* amongst other fine retailers, and is distributed worldwide through IngramSpark.

Publicist, Author, and Activist Dylan Thomas Cotter