Enlisting the support of a celebrity does not just boost the donations your charity will raise; it also comes with a knock-on effect i.e. enables your organisation to attract valuable attention and get a priceless starry seal of approval, which cannot be bought with money. However, while there are many charitable celebrities out there, getting someone like Brangelina or George Clooney on board could be akin to scaling Mt. Everest. It takes thorough research, patience, subtlety, and perhaps perfect timing to get a celebrity on board. Here are a few tips to make your work easier:
Do Your Homework
This is one of the most underrated tips, yet it has huge significance. Doing research does not mean just thinking about popular celebrities; it also involves figuring out whom to approach and how to do it. One of the most effective ways to reach out to a celebrity is to call their manager, representative, or publicist. You can also email these proxies. If you get a negative response from them, you can ask if they know of any other celebrity on their books that can support your charity.
Look for New Talents
From A-listers to B-listers, celebrities come in different shapes and sizes. The most important thing, however, is to get someone who can effectively support your cause. Established names like
Angelina Jolie or Bill Gates tend to be more difficult to recruit because there are thousands of people vying for their attention. Besides, these people have a lot of things to deal with daily and their schedules are tight. They are not looking for things like fame or popularity because they are past that stage. On the other hand, reaching out to new talents is a lot easier and comes with a list of benefits. These celebs are more flexible, loyal, and they are still looking for fame. For them, supporting a charity may just be an opportunity to get what they are looking for.
Make a Strong Case
When speaking to a celebrity representative, you will need to be clear and concise about what you want, what your charity does, and why you think the celeb is a perfect fit for your organisation. Remember, celebrity representatives are busy people, and they handle hundreds of calls every day, so they will want you to be as brief as possible. Additionally, not every charitable celebrity is passionate about your cause. While you may be running an education charity, the celebrity you are trying to get on board may have a strong affinity with health charities. Unless you make a strong case, you will likely get a negative response.