Have you ever wished you could get an autograph from you favorite celebrity? Do you have a screenplay you think would be great for them and want to pitch it? Maybe you’re looking to get your product endorsed or that celebrity to come to your event.
Whatever the reason, there are some basic rules and guidelines you need to follow when contacting the stars. We’ve listed some here. If you need help contacting those in the film or TV world, you can use tools like StarMap.com or Contact Any Celebrity to pull up their most up-to-date contact information or mailing address. Good luck!
Fan Mail & Autograph Seeking
There are a few ways to send fan mail or ask for an autograph from your favorite celebrity. But first you have to find them. There are a few ways to do this, but it depends on how you want to get that autograph. Researching the celebrity is always the first step.
For fan mail – you obviously need an address. Two of the best tools for this are listed above, but there are others. Most require a small monthly fee for membership. Once you have the address, compose your letter of request, include a 9 x 12 stamped, self-addressed envelope, and sit back and wait for the response. You may have better luck if you actually have a picture of your celebrity and include it in the request.
If you seeking an autograph directly from someone – you need to do a little more research on your celebrity. Google them or follow them on twitter. Many celebs tweet out their day. You can also search for events or go to shows or concerts, then wait outside the stage door. You may not luck out the first, second or tenth time, but some celebrities remember who waits patiently, so be polite and luck just might smile on you. Just don’t creep them out by following them into a hotel or wait outside a private home. That’s just not cool!
Professional Inquiry or Pitch
Looking to pitch your screenplay to a famous actor or director? Or have a show idea and want to gauge interest from some of Hollywood’s decision makers? It can be done, but it takes patience, preparation, and perseverance. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Find someone who knows someone that can get you to your celebrity and build a rapport with them. This may take a while, but will eventually lead to the person that can give you that appointment. It is all about establishing a relationship, so don’t forget to thank the people that helped you to your goal.
- Don’t launch into your pitch right away. You need to build a relationship here to, and in a short space of time. Do your research and ask questions about what they like to see in a script or idea. Then LISTEN to the responses. Gauge the time and the pitch your idea professionally. DO NOT come across as starstruck or unprepared.
- Being prepared also means being prepared to professionally answer any questions they may have.
- Lastly, watch and listen for cues that the interview is over. Celebrities and decisions makers only have a certain amount of time. They will usually let you know what they think of the idea, but if they don’t, make sure you have a close. Asking when would be a good time to get back to them will give you an idea of what they think.
Product Placement & Celebrity Gifting
Get your products in the hands of celebrities and public figures who are constantly in the spotlight. This perhaps is one of the best ways to bring attention to your brand. And it takes planning.
If you have the monetary resources, you can work with a PR, Marketing and Media firm to place your product in films, or in swag bags at events like the Academy Awards or the Grammys. You can also purchase a booth in the gifting suite at the event. Each comes with a meet and greet and photos with the stars, as you pitch your product. Each costs thousands of dollars to participate.
If you don’t have that kind of money, and you have some time, you can target a celebrity directly. This means developing a marketing plan around that celebrity. So choose well. Think about which celeb would best reach your target market and why they would resonate with that market. Sometimes the first celebrity you think of, isn’t always the best one for you purposes.
Next reach out to the celebrity or their agent and begin building a relationship with them. Sometimes it is as simple as sending them your product and a professionally written plan detailing why you think they would best represent your target market and why this would be a good move for them. One way this can be accomplished is through a specific cause or charity your product supports. Matching causes can go a long way to getting the celebrity on board.
Which brings me to my next point, offer them a portion of the profits. If they have a stake in the company, they have a reason for seeing that they product does well. Many sports stars have stakes in the companies they endorse. For example, Tom Brady has a stake in Under Armour.
Guest Celebrities at Your Event
The truth is that there are thousands of events benefitting many worth causes each year. Most of them would love to have a celebrity appear at theirs to help with fundraising efforts. With some effort, planning and money, you can probably have one at yours, as well.
First, research which celebrities would have an interest in attending your event, who is going to be near your area at the scheduled time and know what is important to them. Have a genuine interest in the person behind the public face.
Next, use the six degrees of separation rule. Start with your contacts, they use your contact’s contacts until you get to a celebrity that might be interested. Keep in mind, they may not be an “A-lister.” That’s ok.
Give them a reason to attend. Is the event benefitting a cause they are passionate about? Are they performing in your city and this will give them needed publicity?
Remember, most celebrities have fees and contracts for their appearances. After all, this is work for them, so pay attention to the details of the contract. If it is not specified, make sure you know what they want to eat or drink, or any other accommodations would be appreciated. Also, be respectful of the finite amount of time they have and stick to the schedule.
Don’t forget who the star is. The cause you are promoting is the wrapping. Let the celebrity shine and do what they do best. Your event will benefit from it.
Build a relationship with the celebrity while they are at the event. Be pleasant and friendly and make them feel less like a commodity and more like a real person. Not only will this help them relax and enjoy the experience, but you will increase your chances of having them back again or attracting others to your next event.
Lastly, please show your gratitude. Leave a gift in their dressing room or have flowers sent to their hotel room. Publicly thanking them for attending is a must, but you will score major points if you send a thank you note no more than a week after the appearance.
