Phil Pallen is a Social Media Designer based in Los Angeles, managing brands for celebrity and high-profile clients throughout North America.
I’ll be honest — I have a pretty cool job.Everyday, I get to work with clients from different places, industries and walks of life. Some of my clients are pretty big players in the world of entertainment, fashion and real estate. It’s my job to handle their online brand. Some days it’s stressful, but most of the time, it’s a lot of fun.That said, there’s a fair bit of responsibility that comes with managing social media for a celebrity or well-known brand. You’ve got to know what you’re getting into.
The Big Difference
When it comes to celebrities, fans are always going to be in the picture — exciting, right? Most of the time, these fans are built-in, meaning you don’t have to spend time cultivating a following — they’re already there. In addition to the fans, there are sometimes haters. While, we’d all be happier without them, haters and trolls are an inevitable part of the Internet. They can pretty much be ignored, but be aware of your fan-to-hater ratio — there should be a lot more fans if you’re branding and managing your client properly. If not, you’ve got your work cut out for you.I’ve worked with a number of controversial public figures on their brand in the new media realm, and I’ve always been surprised by a few things. First, how personally they take criticism. Second, how dedicated a fan (or a hater) can become, having never met the person in real life. People take what they see on TV very seriously. Although there’s a desire to appeal to everyone, in reality, it’s not going to happen. Clearly define your target market and most of the time, the fans will fight the battles for you.
Establish A Voice
Balance Content
Interact with Fans (But Not Every Fan)
The Verdict
Social media for celebrities is social media on speed. Know what you’re getting into and pay attention to detail. If you’ve got all that covered, brace yourself for a wild and fun ride.