Unless you were living under a rock you will have noticed Oprah Winfrey-mania in Australia this last week as the Harpo (Oprah’s production company) crew and a couple of hundred audience guests from the USA were joined by thousands of super-enthusiastic Australian Oprah fans for the filming of two Oprah episodes in Sydney. The Oprah effect (i.e. the act of Oprah bestowing love and adoration on you, your brand, your company, your product or your book) is a phenomenon few have been recipients of. This ‘blessing’ is, well, money in the bank. I ready with interest this story by Valerie Khoo about one business owner’s experience of the Oprah effect first hand. The example is a US one, understandably.
How to sell one million books, quickly
My personal example is when, in 2000, when I was working closely with Rich Dad Poor Dad author, Robert Kiyosaki. Robert got ‘the call’ from Oprah and was invited to be a guest on her show. The book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, had drawn attention because over 1 million copies — an incredible and enviable feat. Even more amazing, was the fact that this book had sold in huge numbers despite being self published and without the power of a major publisher. Oprah and her team wanted to know what the buzz was about and why there were so many testimonials of average people building wealth using the Rich Dad lessons. I was lucky enough to be invited to be on the Chicago set and in the audience for the taping of the show when Robert was Oprah’s guest. (It was a blast to watch a masterful media talent in Oprah. Anyhow… that’s all beside the point.)
What happened after the show with Robert aired is … as they say… history. The 1-million-copies-sold statistic was blown away by the many millions of sales, media opportunities, business opportunities and the fame that resulted from him being on the shown. Good stuff.
How can you benefit from Oprah’s love affair with Australia?
With two shows due to air in the US in early 2011, what impact could Oprah have on your business? My guess is that millions of people from all over the world (the show screens in over 150 countries) will see (as she called it) a lovefest between Oprah and Australia. The world’s awareness of our country will increase very quickly. I suspect more people will ‘Google’ Australia and this represents a terrific opportunity for Australian businesses who are found.
- What would happen if I Googled your name, or your business name today?
- What is your credibility like online?
- Is your business online? Do you have a website?
- Do you have an social network presence?
My tip (not only for the Oprah effect, but just because if you’re not doing this you’re missing out on local AND international business opportunities):
- Get online (get a website, online profile)
- Learn and really understand how to optimise your ability to be found online and how to do business online
- Look for opportunities to take advantage of the web traffic that will be coming our (Australia’s) way.
I’m excited for Australia. (Maybe we’ll stop being confused with Australia, now. ;-))
