The Oprah Effect

The Oprah Effect

I was watching CNBC the other night, you know getting my business on, and they were airing this show called “The Oprah Effect” and it was talking about how to be featured on the Oprah show and the effect that has on your business. While watching it got me to thinking…
Has the”Oprah effect” affected you? Do You find yourself buying things you really don’t need just because some celebrity has it or says it’s cool? If you answered yes than you have been affected by the “Oprah effect”. Now I love Oprah and watch her show everyday, well almost everyday depending on the topic, so this is no slight to her at all. She is just an example. Every year she has her “favorite things” show. Now this show is packed to the gills with all kinds of goodies. So much stuff that some if it doesn’t make it on the show and is relegated to the website. As a result of being featured as a “favorite thing” these companies pretty much sell out instantly. Even if it’s a regular show, whenever you’re on the Oprah show you sell your inventory in seconds and your stock as well as your tax bracket jumps.

I guess my question is, are people buying these items because they need them or because Oprah says to buy them? As for me, personally when it comes to this question I have to say that I buy them because it’s something I feel I need not because some celeb uses or suggests it. they may sway my vote if I’m on the fence about a new product that I’m already thinking of getting but they won’t make me buy something I don’t need.

An example. I was in need of a new cellphone. I knew I wanted another smartphone, with a full qwerty keyboard and some type of notepad or memo area to jot down blog ideas and such. I couldn’t decide so I did a quick survey and most of the people I admired and looked up to business-wise used Blackberry’s so that’s what I got. Now if I didn’t need a phone and Oprah or some celeb said that Blackberry’s were the bee’s knees doesn’t mean I’m going to drop what is a perfectly fine phone just because somebody says use this instead of that.

You can look at the current state of hip hop as a perfect example as well. Everybody jumped on autotunes and/or a dance affiliated song because a few popular rappers did it. Where they sound good doing it or not doesn’t matter. If “A” says’ it’s cool than “B” will follow. This trend has to stop. Be independent. If you are going to purchase something or do something because of a celebrity endorsement make sure that you actually need it. I’m all for supporting people but if I don’t need it, I’m not buying it. Let me be the “A” and you play the “B”.

Peace
Sincere