10 Ways to Market Yourself Like A Celebrity

Celebrities trying to market their brands are faced with extreme competition. It takes more than good looks and a publicist to churn out profits. But with a little creativity, the possibilities are endless. Check out some of these interesting strategies.
- Reality Shows: Jessica Simpson is shown traipsing around the world in high heels throughout her newest reality show, “The Price of Beauty”—a smart move, considering that she has her own shoe line.
- Provide “Basic” Necessities: Tameka “Tiny” Cottle (T.I.’s fiancee) opened a trendy nail salon/bar outside of Atlanta—proving that simple ventures are sometimes the best ones.
- “Be” Your Product: Do you really think that women would be clamoring for L.A.M.B. clothes if Gwen Stefani didn’t look so good in them?
- Offer Good Food: Sometimes restaurant success is as simple as providing heartfelt food. Justin Timberlake offers plenty of “Southern Hospitality” in one of his New York restaurants.
- Use of a Trendy Song: Nelly’s Apple Bottom song reference was so omnipotent that even Oprah had to get a pair of the aptly named jeans.
- Disease: Sometimes disease can be marketable. Patti Labelle fashioned a healthy cookbook out of her diabetic condition.
- Play Into Human Vices: There are few celebrities that fail when they stamp their names on an alcoholic beverage. Dr. Dre, Diddy, and Jay-Z have found success in the “spirits.”
- Capture the Underground Market: Not everybody likes rock group, Fall Out Boy. But Pete Wentz capitalizes off this underground market with “Clandestine”—a clothing line featuring rock/comic hoodies and accessories.
- Be Pretty, Really Pretty: Beautiful pop singers like Beyonce are shoo-ins for cosmetics and hair product companies. This often makes it easier for them to set up their own businesses.
- Make Affordable Stuff: If you really want people to shop with you, make sure they can afford it. One of the best things Isaac Mizrahi could’ve done was set up a clothing line at Target.