How to Use Cameo in Creative Ways That Will Shock and Delight Your Recipient
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Cameo is a platform that connects fans with their favorite celebrities through personalized video messages. The app, which launched in 2017, is frequently used for sending celebratory, surprise notes for occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and gender reveals.
Even though the thrill of a Cameo birthday wish is nice, the app can be used for so much more. Here's everything to know about how to use Cameo, which celebrities you can expect to find on the app (as of this writing), and creative ways to use it that your recipients will get a kick out of.
How to use Cameo
Once you've created an account on Cameo, you can search for talent by category. These categories include actors, athletes, comedians, creators, musicians, reality TV stars, and more. There's even an option to gift kids a message from their favorite animated characters, such as Blippi and JJ from CoCoMelon.
Once you select a celebrity to connect with, you will also see all of the info on their booking page, including how responsive they are, pricing for their videos, average video length, booking availability, and reviews/ratings from users who've booked with the celebrity. Additionally, you'll also find examples of past Cameos that they've filmed to get a better idea of what you’re in for.
After you've requested to book a celebrity, they'll have 7 days to respond to your request. There is also a 24-hour delivery option for an additional fee and quicker turnaround.
How much does it cost to use Cameo?
Each celebrity on Cameo determines their own video price. On average, a video on Cameo costs $80, according to CBS News. They also reported that Cameo takes a 25% cut of what the celebrity charges.
Pricing also differs based on the format you choose to book. For example, live video calls, personal video messages, and written messages are all priced differently.
Which celebrities are on Cameo?
In 2022, Cameo’s CEO Arthur Leopold shared on LinkedIn that there were over 50,000 celebrities on Cameo.
Here’s a breakdown of some notable celebrities that are currently available as of this writing:
Actors
Athletes
Comedians
Creators
Musicians
Reality TV
Mary and Romain (of Selling Sunset)
Creative ways to use Cameo
Beyond birthday messages and shout-outs, there are lots of fun and different requests you can make for your celebrity Cameo video.
However, before you get carried away, just note that some topics and requests are off-limits, as determined by Cameo’s Community Guidelines. In a nutshell: No nudity, violence, harassment, or fraudulent content is allowed to be solicited or produced on the app.
Now that you're all clear on the guidelines, here are a few creative ways to use Cameo that'll make for a great surprise gift.
Fantasy Football Draft Order
Asking celebrities to help establish your Fantasy Football draft order is a clever way to kick off the season. Players will determine their draft by sending the celebrity a list of names and asking them to put in order from who drafts first to who drafts last.
For example, Scott Hanson (host of NFL RedZone) and Chris Hansen (former host of To Catch a Predator) both created recent Fantasy Football videos for fans.
Business Advice From Entrepreneurs
Kris Ruby, social media expert and owner of Ruby Media Group, suggests asking successful entrepreneurs and business owners on Cameo for some words of wisdom on how to win the market. This could be a great gift for a college graduate or someone who's recently gone back to school for their MBA.
“Get a personalized video with advice from entrepreneurs on everything from innovation to market disruption,” says Ruby.
Shark Tank entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary (aka Mr. Wonderful) is one celeb business owner on Cameo who's available to give kudos to high-performing teams or share general business tips with aspiring entrepreneurs.
Get-Well-Soon Wishes
When someone's struggling with their health, sending a get-well-soon gift or a care package are thoughtful ideas. But nothing will lift their spirits quite like getting a personalized message from a beloved celebrity or public figure who's gone through a similar challenge.
“These videos can provide encouragement for someone going through a difficult time,” says Ruby. Judge Jeanine is one celebrity who is available on Cameo to provide comforting and uplifting messages to those who are struggling with a serious diagnosis or recovering from surgery.
Motivational Speech Parody
If you and your coworkers frequently bond over TV recaps, gifting your team a parody pep talk or motivational speech from a famous actor will have everyone in stitches. Ruby adds that utilizing Cameo for humor can be a great asset for people in business.
For example, you can request Succession star Brian Cox (aka Logan Roy) to make a Cameo video saying that you are not "a serious person" and to "tell people to F off" — which fans of the show will eat up.
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