The Power Of CELEBRITY In Copy & Marketing

[Frank Murphy]

Has anyone here used any kind of CELEBRITY in their marketing? Endorsements? Celebrity testimonials?

Especially Aussie and UK members, I know the US is celebrity mad, but I'm not so sure about other countries, though I would guess it would boost sales.

[Cam Connor]

Originally Posted by Frank Murphy

Has anyone here used any kind of CELEBRITY in their marketing? Endorsements? Celebrity testimonials?

Especially Aussie and UK members, I know the US is celebrity mad, but I'm not so sure about other countries, though I would guess it would boost sales.

The sheer act of contacting them, getting them to do it for you, and all that, would be nearly impossible, and extremely expensive, if you wanted a "Real" Celeb, (you could probably get Andy Dick pretty cheap)...

Plus, if it was just a testimonial on the internet, most people wouldn't believe something like that was from a real celeb...

Of course, it works for big companies doing big ad campaigns, and using big ad agencies (like P&G), but for the most part, most IM-related web-copywriters wouldn't benefit from this, too difficult and costly.

[Jamie Lewis]

I would advise against it. Ive had nothing but bad experiences. I think because it doesnt really change conversions and then you are stuck giving some ridiculous 50% or something and they don't do jack. When Ive worked with high profile people before I really pushed them to tap into their bases. The only celebs I would ever work with are ones with huge twitter accounts or something, willing to be an affiliate, etc.

[markpocock]

Gary Halbert wrote a great piece on how to hire a celebrity.

[Cam Connor]

Originally Posted by markpocock

Gary Halbert wrote a great piece on how to hire a celebrity.

Really? I'd like to check it out, if you have a link...

[marciayudkin]

Jordan McAuley has a very good book on this topic. It's called CELEBRITY LEVERAGE and it approaches the topic from every imaginable point of view, with real-life examples.

Highly recommended - you can get it on Amazon.

Marcia Yudkin

[Scott Murdaugh]

Celebs are worthless.

Thigh Master would have been fine without Suzanne Summers.

Proactive would be fine without Katie Perry, Avril Levigne, ect.

And the "George Foreman Grill" would have done MUCH better as "Grill"...

Oprah never sold a product in her life.

</sarcasm>

Celebrities can be VERY powerful.

You give me a fashion company and Justin Beiber, I'll sell some f'n jeans, guaranteed.

You just have to think through the overall strategy. And if a celeb fits, I'd go with the "give it a shot" route over the "don't try, it's too hard"...

Most of the successful people I've met in life tend to take the former in their overall philosophy to life.

Best of luck!

-Scott

P.S.

Really? I'd like to check it out, if you have a link...

The Gary Halbert Letter

[Cam Connor]

Just to clarify, when I was saying "don't bother" I meant don't bother trying to get Brad Pitt to give a testimonial for your next SEO E-book launch. I know it's a powerful tool for marketing to large masses of consumers. Mainly because of the "Halo" effect, meaning that someone who's better-looking or of otherwise "higher-status" is seen to be more reliable and trustworthy than someone who isn't. .

[ewenmack]

Frank, recently we have seen the Middleton family announcing the signing of Justin Beiber
for their business.

Those Brits are media savvy and are tapping into the power of celebrity.

Best,
Ewen

[Joe Ditzel]

Originally Posted by ewenmack

Frank, recently we have seen the Middleton family announcing the signing of Justin Beiber
for their business.

Those Brits are media savvy and are tapping into the power of celebrity.

Best,
Ewen

It's interesting that you mention that. Will and Kate are here in town and the helicopter noise is killing me.

There was some British royal expert woman on TV saying that Los Angeles was the worst choice for the Royals to make their first official visit to America; that "Hollywood" was the exact opposite of what the royal family should stand for.

The reporter said that this generation of royals is extremely media savvy and they know the power of celebrity, hence Los Angeles.

Plus, New York in July? Oy!

[ewenmack]

An associate who said that she isn't what you would call a royalist, was excited that she got a ticket to go to today's polo match.

Couldn't resist the "adventure" she said.

There's definatly a magnetic power with celebs.

Best,
Ewen

Originally Posted by Joe Ditzel

It's interesting that you mention that. Will and Kate are here in town and the helicopter noise is killing me.

There was some British royal expert woman on TV saying that Los Angeles was the worst choice for the Royals to make there first official visit to America; that "Hollywood" was the exact opposite of what the royal family should stand for.

The reporter said that this generation of royals is extremely media savvy and they know the power of celebrity, hence Los Angeles.

Plus, New York in July? Oy!

[Cam Connor]

Originally Posted by dabao

It is really a good program for the great cause. they give the meal to the food bank which for each tweet, to became follower, and for visit and re-tweet. i appeal all the tweeter users to visit Susquehanna’s post about the promotion and help the great cause

A little off-topic, but good to know. lol

[turryrunner]

I read somewhere that just putting a Youtube video on your site with a popular artist (provided it's relevant to your site of course) can bump up your listing pretty quickly.

[Mick Meaney]

I've done this many, many times over the last 10 years.

Not "niche" celebs, but real ones with TV shows and Hollywood connections.

It's easy.

And the traffic that comes from it is mind blowing.

[Mark Andrews]

It depends on the niche. Sometimes it can work though often it's not required. For example take the golfing niche...

If you're bringing out a new range of golf clubs sure, use a celebrity golfer held in current high esteem by the public.

If s/he is willing to put her/his name to the product in return for a slice of the profits it could be a birdie for both parties.

Question needs to be a lot more specific though and to the point to provide any real meaningful answer.

Best,


Pete Walker

PS Looks like the OP has been banned, just noticed that.

[Mick Meaney]

Originally Posted by Pete Walker

It depends on the niche.

I understand why you say that Pete, and I would have agreed with you the first time I tried it... but the niche doesn't matter.

One of my students recently tried this in the hemorrhoids niche... it's all about how you spin things (not as in article spinning, but in PR spinning.. not PR as in Page Rank.. but PR as in... uh oh... I don't like this road I'm going down)