Tip #13: Why Aren’t You Getting Free Publicity?

The piece you’re missing in your press releases might shock you! The traditional way of getting free publicity all changed in 2005. The growth of the paparazzi , selling pictures of babies, the Britney effect. The world has now changed and so has news. Or what producers and editors believe is news.

The top 3 stories of February, 2007 based on internet searches, reported newspapers, television, radio…drum roll please… I bet you would not guess:

1. Great Britain withdraws from Iraq
2. Anna Nicole Smith Dies
3. Britney Spears Shaves her Head

For years, big companies have understood the use of celebrities for marketing. Small businesses have not taken advantage of this perfect way to get publicity. Look at the night clubs right here in Las Vegas. Each week, Extra, Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight report about celebrity sightings at the night clubs. Hallmark created a Paris Hilton Card that read—That’s Hot! They were later sued by Paris Hilton, but sold so many cards, it was worth it. They discontinued the card but it was better to use the tagline rather than paying Paris Hilton a hefty fee to use the line. The event was reported by over 15,000 media outlets getting Hallmark, free ads and more.

Now, that I have convinced you that adding celebrity to your business is essential, what are you going to do to add the celebrity to your business. Celebrity branding is the new way to insure a success. Attaching your business to a celebrity or making you or your customers celebrities, has a better effect on your bottom line than regular advertising.