What is Cameo, and How Can You Use it to Get Influencers?

Cameo, the increasingly popular service, allows you to hire celebrities and influencers for personalized video messages or live appearances. It caters not only to personal requests but also offers Cameo for Business. If you’re asking, “What is Cameo?” and wondering how it can be utilized to engage influencers for your brand, this article is your go-to resource. We’ll provide a comprehensive guide on the platform and its potential for connecting with celebrity influencers for brand promotion.

What is Cameo?

Founded in Chicago, the Cameo site began rising dramatically in popularity when the number of participating celebrities and influencers shot through the roof. The social restrictions in place during a period of time made this celebrity video messaging site even more popular with stars. Now Cameo has links to a variety of business purposes, such as:

• Marketing content
• Virtual events
• Sales and prospecting
• Employee recognition
• Cameo for Business

For a price, the site allows a business to connect its brand to a wide variety of influencers, including celebrities, artists, entertainers, and thought leaders. To qualify as a ‘Cameo talent’, each influencer must have a minimum of 20,000 fans following their Instagram account, so you can be sure whoever you work with will have a significant audience interested in their messages.

This allows you to create celebrity-driven content as well as influencer marketing to get more eyes on your products and services. You can pay the price to use the videos to enliven virtual events by having a celebrity introduce speakers or perform during intervals, or even just say a few lines to announce a special promotion or recognize individual or company achievements. It is also an excellent platform for securing top-of-funnel prospects by having a special personality close the deal for you. Imagine trying to get a massive deal over the line and being able to call upon Matt Damon or Michelle Obama to pop in and say a few lines…

The app also has different plan options, including a limited self-service plan and a more advanced VIP plan with extra features such as prioritized requests and access to add-ons. The business add-ons include co-branded watermarks, dedicated customer service re,p, and extended video licenses.

How does Cameo Work?

Requesting a Cameo requires making an account on the website or app and then visiting the Cameo Marketplace to view the thousands of available celebrities, which can be sorted by categories. You then select the celebrity you want and fill out their request form. Payment is made via credit card, although US-based members can purchase Cameo credits to spend on video requests whenever they want. If the requested celebrity refuses the offer or simply doesn’t respond within seven days, all charges are refunded.

It is a simple process that enables business owners to improve their next marketing campaigns and use of cookies. Various features also allow business owners to make their Zoom meetings more exciting and memorable by having a celebrity join in.

1. Download the Cameo App

The first step is downloading the app to your device. It is free to download from the Cameo website or via the More Options tab in the Cameo videos.

2. Create a Profile

You will need to create a profile by providing information such as your name, email address, company name, company email, job title, and contact details. Additionally, they request the location of your company’s headquarters and the number of employees.

3. View the Example Cameo Video Requests

Before making any email requests yourself, it is a good idea to view the examples of previous Cameo video requests, so you have an idea of the protocols involved in contacting a Cameo talent and requesting a cameo from them.

4. Find the Perfect Match for Your Business

Now you know how it’s done, it’s time to search for the perfect celebrity to match up with your brand. The Cameo Marketplace has thousands of options, from the extremely famous and obviously very expensive to the lesser-known influencers whose audience is perhaps smaller but much more focused.

5. Complete a Request Form

After selecting the perfect celebrity, complete their form by outlining in 250 words or less what you would like them to do or say in your video.

You can also join their Fan Club which acts like a mailing list and gives you access to exclusive content such as promotions and advanced notice when the celebrity starts a Cameo Call or changes their price.

6. Hire a Celebrity and Level Up Your Next Marketing Campaign

If the Cameo talent accepts your request, they then record the video, upload it to Cameo and it will be sent to you for use according to whatever license restrictions were agreed upon. Some videos may only be able to be used for a limited time, so be sure to make the best use of your video to level up your marketing campaign while you can.

How Much Does Cameo Cost?

Business cameos typically cost around $1,000, but the price can vary significantly based on the popularity of your chosen talent and the specifics of your request. In contrast, the Cameo Live feature, which allows you to have a Cameo talent participate in a live Zoom call, is considerably pricier, with the starting cost set at $10,000.

You can also pay Direct Message (DM) a Cameo talent, which guarantees they will read your message, though it does not guarantee that they will reply. Prices for such DMs start at $1 but can go as high as $2,500 for the higher-profile celebrities.

The video prices do vary wildly for each Cameo talent. For example, actor Lindsay Lohan charges $219.99 for a request, while comedian Greg Proops charges just $32.80.

Which Celebrities are on Cameo?

There are thousands of influencers and stars available for hire on Cameo that you can browse through. This raises the question of influencer vs celebrity, each offering distinct advantages and disadvantages. Celebrities featured include well-known rappers like Ice Cube and Flavor Flav, the controversial Netflix star Carole Baskin, and the beloved Sean Astin. The platform boasts over 7,500 film and TV actors, ranging from Hollywood A-listers to supporting cast members from shows like The Office, along with more than 3,000 reality TV stars, over 8,000 athletes, nearly 5,000 musicians, and more than a thousand comedians. Many of these comedians specialize in impressions, allowing them to portray characters such as the U.S. President or Santa Claus in their videos.

Here are some of the famous personalities on Cameo, what they offer, and their price:

• Carole Baskin – Netflix Tiger King star charges $299 for a personalized message.
• Brett Favre – NFL icon charges $400 for personalized messages to fans.
• Caitlyn Jenner – The Reality TV star offers personal videos to people for $2,500.
• Sean Astin – The price the popular actor charges for video messages is $293.
• Snoop Dogg – Live videos and messages start from $900 for the legendary rapper.
• Perez Hilton – The celeb blogger charges $90 for personalized messages to people.

The Impact of Influencers and Lesser-Known Celebrities on Cameo

In addition to the star power of celebrities on Cameo, influencers and lesser-known celebrities can offer significant benefits. Here’s why they can be just as impactful:

• Broader Reach – Lesser-known celebrities and influencers often have a dedicated and niche following. This can be particularly valuable for reaching specific audiences or communities that are more aligned with your brand or message.
• Cost-Effective – Engaging with influencers or lesser-known celebrities on Cameo can be more budget-friendly while still delivering a high level of engagement and personalized connection.
• Authentic Engagement – These personalities often maintain a closer, more authentic relationship with their followers. This can lead to higher engagement rates and a more genuine endorsement of your brand.
• Diverse Content – Influencers and lesser-known celebrities often provide a broader range of content styles and creative approaches, which can be advantageous for brands seeking unique and tailored messaging.
• Niche Expertise – Numerous influencers have established themselves as experts in particular fields, including fashion, gaming, or fitness. Partnering with these individuals can enhance the credibility of your campaign and attract a specific audience.

Pros of Using the Cameo App for Your Business

There are many ways Cameo for business can benefit a company. These include:

• Enhanced top-of-funnel prospecting.
• Cost-effective celebrity-driven advertising solutions.
• Engaging celebrity videos with marketing content.
• Memorable virtual events with appearances by famous people.
• More impactful promotional announcements and use of cookies.

Cons of Using the Cameo App for Your Business

The disadvantages of using this app for business are minimal, as each video request tends to be a positive experience, and the pricing is clearly displayed before any decisions are made. However, there are a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind:

• Higher-profile influencer videos are expensive, especially if they are icons.
• Possibility of a personality being involved in a scandal after you associate with them.
• Some celebrities get so many requests that many are not replied to.

Is the Cameo app legit?

The Cameo app works exactly the way it is advertised and you can rest assured that the personalities and social media influencers on there are real.

Can you sort Cameo by price?

You can’t sort the influencers by price on the Cameo app but there are other websites that have collected the data and do this for you. One way to sort influencers directly on Cameo is via their category above their photo, such as actors, athletes, musicians, creators and so on.

Who is the most expensive person on Cameo?

Currently, the highest-priced personality on Cameo is Caitlyn Jenner, with a rate of approximately $2,500 for her videos. In the music category, rapper Boosie Badazz tops the list, charging about $1,500 for a personal video message. Excluding former Olympian Jenner, the athlete with the highest rate is boxing legend Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr., who sets his fee at over $1,100 per request. As for actors, their charges vary widely based on their fame, offering a range of options and some attractive deals.

Who are the cheapest Cameos on the app?

While there are Cameos available for as little as $1, such prices may also result in low-effort videos as well, but the hire may suffice if the message is just meant to be a funny gift for a friend or someone like your dad or your kid on their birthday. There are plenty of celebrities that don’t cost too much money for a birthday message, though you will be hunting in the outer reaches of fame.

For instance, fans of the High School Musical movie franchise will be happy to learn that they can hire Bart Johnson, the actor known for his role as Coach Bolton, for a fee of $56. Rachel Skarsten, who portrayed the unforgettable receptionist in the 50 Shades of Grey film, offers her Cameo services for $51. While you may not recognize Tom Higgenson by name, you are likely familiar with his hit song ‘Hey There Delilah’ performed by his band, The Plain White Ts. His Cameo price is only $37.

Image: Cameo