NAIFA's AdvisorToday

Learning to "Celebritize Yourself" in Business
How to get noticed and grow your practice.

BY CHRISTINE CUSATIS

The digital age has brought with it limitless sources of information and the chance to become noticed through the loudspeaker that is the Internet. But in an ever-increasing crowd, it's essential to know how to stand out.

That's what Marsha Friedman's book, "Celebritize Yourself: The Three Step Method to Increase Your Visibility and Explode Your Business," is about—creating a strong brand that transforms you into an industry celebrity.

"The term celebrity isn't just reserved for the stars we read about in the tabloids, but rather, it also refers to experts who are known for being at the top of their chosen fields, many times removed from movie and TV stars," Friedman says. "Whether you're a doctor, financial advisor, real estate broker or even a waiter, you can celebritize yourself."

Friedman focuses on three steps to accomplish this mission:

Write. Many celebrity experts, including Zig Ziglar and Suze Orman, started out as authors. Even if you do not consider yourself as a writer, Friedman suggests turning your ideas into a book to define yourself as an expert. There are many professionals that can assist you in the process, including ghostwriters, co-authors and copywriters. These services aren't always cheap, but they can propel your credibility to the next level.
Speak. It's also vital to spread the word about your industry knowledge, Friedman says. Use Internet platforms as well as real-life opportunities, such as speaking engagements, radio and TV interviews, to get your message out to anyone that will listen.
Sell. Achieving "celebrity status" makes selling your brand—and thus yourself—an easier task. But not all media pitches are the same. It's key to consistently evaluate and improve your pitch so that it stands a chance of being noticed, Friedman says. Ask yourself if your pitch would perk your own interest.

When you have become your brand and people trust what you say, people will become anxious for the opportunity to talk about your message.

"Celebrity is a powerful commodity; doors that were once closed can suddenly open," Friedman says. "People listen to what they ignored before. New business and money flows to you—not away from you. Most of all, people thank you for sharing your wisdom."

For more information and tips on this subject, visit www.celebritizeyourself.com.