Where Do You Fit In? Discover Your Perfect Promo Staff Role with Assist Marketing!

Have you ever scrolled through the Assist Marketing portal, excited to apply but suddenly felt overwhelmed by all the listed roles? You are not alone! Whether you are brand new to the event staffing world or are a seasoned event professional, it's normal to wonder, “Where do I start, and what the heck is the difference between all these event staffing positions?”

You may have wondered what an on-call standby position is compared to an onsite backup role or what duties are needed for a product specialist rather than a brand ambassador.

At Assist Marketing, we're proud to provide event staffing support for many different types of events for our clients. These include highly televised sports events, trade shows, and more! With all these exciting opportunities comes a range of specialized positions critical to keeping the activation running smoothly (whether from behind the scenes or center stage!).

In this article, we'll break down the primary roles you'll see repeatedly whenever you apply to one of our events. We'll also outline what each position entails and how they differ, offering suggestions for the best position that fits your experience level, future goals, and schedule. Whether you're just breaking into the industry or would like to take on more of a leadership role, we've got a role (or five!) just for you.

Team Lead: The Captain of the Crew

• What This Role Is: The Team Lead is our go-to onsite liaison and ultimate boots on the ground. They work alongside the promo staff team and are expected to lead by example with their top-notch performance. Team Leads are BAs with additional responsibilities. These fearless leaders have many different duties (depending on the event) and act as the primary bridge between clients, staff, and our team. A great TL ensures every staff member is prepped with the final event details, including the event's meeting location, parking info, and how to check in with them onsite. They need to know their training materials inside and out and introduce themselves to clients and the team, opening a line of communication before the activation day. This role involves problem-solving, remaining cool under pressure, and delivering a detailed recap report. It also means highlighting the team's strengths and weaknesses, noting consumer feedback, flagging potential issues, and more. The Team Lead role isn't taken lightly. Team Leads receive a higher pay rate but also have additional expectations and accountability for their role.

• Requirements: First and foremost, the Team Lead must be a top-notch Brand Ambassador. This role requires excellent communication and organizational skills, along with keen attention to detail. TLs must thrive in a high-stakes environment, be comfortable navigating potential event snags, and make critical decisions as necessary.

• How to Get Started: If you've been working as a Brand Ambassador for some time and are ready for that next step, listen up! The best Team Leads often start as standout BAs—you know, the ones who consistently go above and beyond, arrive onsite early, and communicate clearly and promptly through all event correspondence. When a leadership opportunity arises, we look at these rock stars first. Your hard work never goes unnoticed, and we love to promote well-deserved staff whenever possible!

Promo Staff: The A-Team

• What This Role Is: Brand Ambassadors (a.k.a. Promo Staff) are the face of any activation. They are the ones who keep the energy flowing and the brand front and center. A BA might help with anything in this role, including lead generation, passing out samples, or giving away premium swag. Of course, engagement and educating consumers are key!

• Requirements: While you don't always need prior promotional experience to get started as a BA, if you've read last month's blog on the interview process, you already know we require a one-time video interview (plus a completed profile with your resume and recent photos ready to go). That's essentially it! Once you bring your personality and experience to the table, you're ready to go. Landing your first shift in a competitive market can take persistence, but don't give up. Show the event booking coordinator that you're professional, excited, and ready to work!

• How to Get Started: Apply for every shift you're interested in. Once an event is uploaded in the portal, booking coordinators can begin staff selection within 24 hours of the initial email invitation, so keep an eye on your inbox and calendar! When applying, consistently (when applicable) try to utilize the comment box to tell us why you'd be a great fit.Are you a passionate gamer applying to a gaming convention? Did you work at the same sports tournament the previous year? Do you have a ton of lead gen or sales experience? Tell us about it! If you're planning on traveling to another market for work and can be considered local, it doesn’t hurt to mention that as well!

Product Specialist: The Product Pro

• What This Role Is: Product Specialists are the experts onsite. You'll be the go-to person the rest of the team, clients, and consumers rely on to provide more extensive brand knowledge! This role is commonly listed for many of our trade shows, demos, and tech-heavy activations.

• Requirements: The Product Specialist position is a detail-oriented, highly professional role that requires extensive brand training and product knowledge. Product Specialists need to be confident, engaging, and extremely knowledgeable about the client and products they are presenting.

• How to Get Started: Previous Product Specialist experience is a huge plus—especially if it’s with similar brands or products. Retail or sales experience in a comparable industry can also help get your foot in the door. Additionally, it’s advantageous if you’re currently in a PS role, even if it’s with another brand or product.

Production Assistant: Live Events' Secret Weapon

• What This Role Is: Our Production Assistants are the behind-the-scenes MVPs on the team. Whether it's a VIP event, live concert, or large-scale conference, PAs help with everything, including setup and teardown, guest registration, line management, and more. Staff might need to lift or move furniture (under 50lbs), set up the water station/catering area, run mics, or manage seating and directional flow—all, of course, while keeping that professional, consistently highly engaging attitude!

• Requirements: This position is a fast-paced, high-energy role. You must be adaptable, follow a client's directions and schedule, and be comfortable doing physical tasks as needed. PAs are truly the secret weapon and glue that keep live events running smoothly and seamlessly!

• How to Get Started: Prior backstage or production experience is ideal—but if you've worked festivals, shows, or anything in the live event world, highlight that! What matters most is that you're a dynamic team player who can juggle multiple hats, keep up the pace, and execute tasks like a champ!

Onsite Backup vs. On-Call Standby: Critical Roles with Big Potential

Not all heroes wear capes. Some show up ready to save the day as an Assist Onsite Backup or On-Call Standby. Both roles offer considerable opportunities to get your foot in the door, often leading to being selected for future full-shift roles.

What These Roles Are:

• Onsite Backup: The Onsite Backup physically shows up to the event in uniform and is 100% ready to step in if needed. They receive all the same materials as Promo Staff and arrive ready to go at the shift start time. If a replacement is required, they quickly jump in and work the whole event for the role they are replacing. If not, Onsite Backups receive a flat rate for showing up, have their timesheet signed, and are released for the day.

• On-Call Standby: The On-Call Standby role varies from the Onsite Backup position, but both are highly utilized at events. These staff remain off-site unless they are called in and asked to head over to the footprint if needed. When a full shift becomes available due to a last-minute staffing need, the On-Call Standby gets the call! If available, they're expected to arrive ASAP, and if they arrive within the hour, they earn a standby bonus on top of the hourly pay rate for their role. Standbys also receive all materials in advance and event logistics for reference, just in case they're called in. It is very important to note, that the standby role is not a confirmed position (unless called in to work the event).

• Why Work Either Role: Both positions are excellent opportunities for new staff or anyone interested in working as a brand ambassador. Staff who prove themselves in a backup or standby role are often the first ones selected for upcoming programs and events. Being reliable, prepared, and professional will ensure you're remembered for future opportunities!

How to Get Your Foot in the Door or Work Your Way Up to Your Dream Gig

This month, we’re keeping it short and sweet with quick tips based on questions we regularly receive from staff. We encourage you amazing superstars to keep applying, stay consistent, and show your enthusiasm without hesitation! We can’t wait to welcome you to the team at our next event—and who knows? You might be rocking that Team Lead or Promo Staff role sooner than you think!

Stay tuned for next month’s edition and keep bringing that energy!