How To Use Local Celebrities To Create Buzz For Your Brand

Right or wrong, celebrity plays a big role in our society. But how do you use the power of celebrity if you are a dead broke startup?

Daymond John, founder and CEO of Fubu, also known as a panelist on ABC’s Shark Tank, gave some good advice on the topic on the syndicated show “Black Entrepreneur’s Business Report.”

He said using LL Cool J was key to getting FUBU on the national map.

Before that, he leveraged the power of a local Queens celebrity named Ralph McDaniels. Mr. McDaniels had a show on TV every afternoon, playing the latest hip-hop videos long before MTV would even think about rap.

He gave Mr. McDaniels some shirts before a local event, and ended up getting interviewed. They started getting calls from all over town from stores wanting to carry FUBU.

Look for some local celebs you can work with to create buzz, and then raise your horizons to the national stage.