by Heidi Delane

Created on: June 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 30, 2008

Does having celebrity status necessarily guarantee success in business? Of course not, but it can't hurt, right? Maybe celebrities have cornered the market on face recognition, but it takes more than fame to launch a successful business.

Sometimes the notariety of a celebrity can impede the ability to quietly develop a product or business plan under the watchful eye of the media. However, the media may also be useful in a timely business launch. Some helpful hints are listed below.

Number One: Do what you know and love! There is a reason Sean John (P Diddy) began a hip hop clothing line. It is no secret that Elle MacPherson knows underwear, and now designs delicates. Madonna? She loves England and children, combined the two passions and penned "The English Rose," a proper children's book. Do what you are passionate about in order to be successful, the connection shines though.

Number Two: Timing is everything. Have you ever had the perfect business idea, written out a plan, and begun researching the product or service only to find that dozens of people have already implemented your specific plan? The timing was a bit off, but perhaps you have a new spin or niche.

Number Three: Develop a sound business plan. Then revise the business plan. Repeat. Repeat until the plan is crystallized to the point of indestructibility. After copywrighting, ask infleuntial friends you trust for input.

Number Four: Research your product or service. Gwen Stefani's clothing line "L.A.M.B." is in competition with Juicy Couture and other popular teen geared clothing lines. What L.A.M.B. has going for it hands down, is Gwen's personal sense of style and stand out red carpet presence. Gwen and her hip hollywood fans serve as L.A.M.B. billboards and Gwen has created a niche brand based on something she loves- fashion!

Number Five: Follow Through. It is imperative that once a business is mentioned by a celebrity that there is consistent mention or demonstration of the book or product in every interview. With any marketing plan, consistency is key. Wearing products from you own line for example, such as a recent Alanis Morrisette appearance during which she mentioned on the Today Show that she was wearing her own jewelry designs no doubt had the internet swimming in "googles."

Number Six: Persistence. Celebrities routinely work on "side businesses" for years. I read that Paulina Porizkova, the 1980's supermodel, had been developing her book for years.

Celebrities have some advantanges, but the bottom line is that they are using the same toolbox as the rest of us. Many celebrities may have financial freedom, but without business sense and tenacity, no business can survive the long term. My hat is off to double duty "celebreneurs" who are taking their careers to the next level!

Learn more about this author, Heidi Delane.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.