What PR Professionals Can Learn from American Idol

American Idol is one of the most successful shows in the history of television. It’s been super popular for more than 10 years, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. It has produced some of pop’s biggest stars, and it continues to captivate the country. What is it about American Idol that is so appealing and keeps us coming back for more, year after year? PR professionals should take note of some of American Idol’s most successful tactics. Here’s a look at what we can learn from the show.
Stick with What Works
American Idol has been one of the biggest shows in the nation for 11 seasons. This kind of long-running success is what everyone else aspires to. One of the main reasons Idol has been so successful is that it has kept a consistent formula and hasn’t made any huge changes to its basic foundation. It knows what works, and it sticks to it. We love Idol because it’s familiar. It gives us enough changes to keep things fresh, but it doesn’t change too much.
Stay on Top of Tech Trends
American Idol still has millions of people voting because it offers them options. Voters can call a telephone number, send a text message, or vote online via their Facebook accounts. It also encourages fans to participate in various social media, like Facebook and Twitter. By embracing new tech trends, Idol encourages people to be a part of the show in whatever way they like. It keeps the conversation going all over the world by utilizing technology, just like all PR professionals should strive to do.
Appeal to Everyone
Viewers of American Idol are a wildly diverse group. Just about every kind of person enjoys Idol, and viewers range from the very young to the very old. There are elements of the show that appeal to everyone. Judge Steven Tyler attracts an older generation while Ryan Seacrest represents the younger, for example. If you want to launch a successful campaign, it never hurts to appeal to as many people as possible. If everyone likes you, you’re doing quite well.
Do It Big
American Idol is larger than life. The stage and performances are over-the-top. The results readings are dramatic. Everything about American Idol is big and bold. As a PR professional, don’t try to play it safe or do things modestly. As the saying goes, “Go big, or go home.” A grandiose campaign will produce grand results. People love Idol because it’s exciting, and your campaigns should be, too.
Play to People’s Emotions

One of the ways American Idols gets us to fall in love with the contestants is by telling us their personal stories and especially their struggles. Some of our favorite contestants are the ones who have gone through the most. The emotional montages get us emotionally invested in the participants, and it makes us want to see them win. Playing to people’s emotions is a surefire way to get them to feel connected to your clients or your campaigns.
Jessica Morgan is a PR specialist and avid writer who loves to give advice and write about her interests. To ensure all her work is done correctly and professionally she proofs it with a grammar checker. The software helps her keeps her work mistake-free and guarantees it abides by all the grammar rules.