How to Get a Celebrity Endorsement as a Political Cadidate

Obama got major exposure after an endorsement from Oprah.

Throughout the election season you will see plenty of celebrities coming out to support their favorite politician. It has yet to be determined how effective celebrity endorsements are for political candidates, but they have a way of increasing press coverage. Seeking a celebrity endorsement for your campaign can mean increased exposure if you choose the right celebrity--or a stunning political embarrassment if you don't.

Instructions

1. Make a list of celebrities you would like to endorse your candidacy. This list should be comprehensive and cover A-list celebrities as well as lesser known celebrities. Be sure that at the top of your list are politically active celebs likely to endorse a candidate. It would be best if your celebrity endorsement can speak intelligently on why they are endorsing you.

2. Find out if anyone on your campaign staff has a contact with a talent agency or management firm. If a campaign staffer has a relationship with someone close to the celebrity, your chances are greater that you will get a big name celebrity to endorse your campaign. If no staffers have such a contact, instruct them to begin dialing talent and management agencies to find an endorsement.

3. Conduct research on the celebs you want to endorse your campaign to find what political issues are important to them. With this information you can send a letter to the talent agent, manager, and even assistant of the celebrity informing them of your shared political interest. You can also request a meeting to brainstorm about how to best work on the issues that matter to you both. Appeal to them in a way that only a politician can--stroke their ego.

4. Request a meeting with the manager to discuss the possibility of a celebrity endorsement. They may have some concerns about their client becoming too political. To assuage them, explain how this will expand their fan base to include a more mature audience. As long as the endorsement is mutually beneficial, chances are good that you will have your celebrity endorsement.

5. Ask the celebrity of your choice to endorse your campaign. As a political candidate it is up to you to convince them that you are a cause worthy of using their name. Be ready to explain your politics as well as your plans for making changes if elected. Many politically active celebrities are well read, so be prepared to go into detail if you need to.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to compliment their talent as well as their activism.

• Reveal the celebrity endorsement to coincide with a big media event.

• Don't expect the endorsement to secure the election for you.

• Don't underestimate the intelligence of your celebrity endorser.