Similar to the way a Salvation Army Santa works in fundraising?
Or how that guy twirling the big "Mattress Sale!!" sign outside the store works in retailing?
Well, I guess not exactly, since those guys are getting paid.
Good comparison.
When I first saw the oblate spheroid's comment about her "profession," I thought, yeah, sure, like franksolich's profession is marketing and public relations.
It's just a hobby, an idle past-time, and I don't make money off of it--just like the oblate spheroid.
I'd be real hesitant to call myself a professional publicist, though.