Can you Fake being Genuine?

A lot of jokes are being made about President Obama's seeming dependency on a teleprompter. His teleprompter even has its own "blog," if you can believe it. Humor has a way of revealing an underlying truth, and the President should take note of it.  The "insincere" or "disingenuous" label is something that tends to stick to a person's public persona.  And it is not easy to shake once it forms. He should start learning alternate ways to give a speech.

I have to admit there are just some things that Publicists cannot do. We can help clients learn to communicate effectively by focusing on a central message by simplifying talking points. We can teach clients some effective interview techniques based on the medium. And we can help clients keep their message consistent and understandable. But, as far as I know, no one has yet invented an over-the-counter prescription that can infuse genuineness.

How important is it? There's a case to be made in public relations that being genuine is everything -- and yet-- it is hopelessly rare. Let's be honest. We live in an American Idol culture where "perceived" importance often overrides genuineness. No one ever looks at a celebrity or politician after an interview or speech and asks, "But was he/she being genuine?" Looking at some of the "idols" we have put on pedestals in the public arena, maybe we should start asking that more often.

When I mention a "genuine" person, who springs to your mind? Maybe its a relative or friend or perhaps a well-known person. Genuineness is a quality we all instantly recognize. It is a character trait that we appreciate on an emotional level. When we sense someone who is genuine, we make a connection with our hearts, not with our heads.

For a Christian artist, genuineness is the difference between a long, renowned career or very short one. Musicians and singers from other genres can get away (to some extent) with making music and creating a public "image" that they believe will sell their songs. They can often act like idiots in interviews, do outrageous antics at public appearances and still retain fans. Thankfully, Christian artists don't have that ability. Because of the inherent seriousness of writing and singing songs based on scripture or doctrinal beliefs, Christian artists must exhibit a genuineness in their on and off-stage behavior. Perfection is not required (and shouldn't be expected), but sincerity is a non-negotiable. Phonies will not last long in Christian entertainment.

If you are a Christian artist contemplating a national ministry, learn to trust your instincts. You may get lots of advice from "industry" folks meaning well, but ultimately, you are the one that will stand on the stage in front of the audience. Find your own comfort zone where you and God connect.  He is much better than a teleprompter.

Will Whitney Make a Comeback? A Study in Imaging

I'll be upfront and honest. I'm rooting for Whitney Houston to make a comeback. Whitney has always had a talent that few would argue was God-given. She grew up singing in church, and her mom is well-known for her gospel roots. Her first radio single, "I Look to You," resembles a contemporary Christian song. So from a personal standpoint, I hope she succeeds.

But from a PR standpoint, what will transpire over the next few months will be a good study in imaging. Whitney was, for many years, America's darling. Music fans loved everything she did. She had top hits left and right and even gave us one of the most stirring performances of the National Anthem we had ever heard. We all watched as this stunning woman with so much talent, fame, and fortune, married someone that we all could see would be bad news. Past behavior dictated future behavior for Bobby Brown. And as I have heard Metro Ministries' leader Bill Wilson say many times, "People change...but not much."

Drugs, violence, odd spiritual quests, horrible personal appearances followed. Whitney quickly got a reputation for being a Diva to the 2nd power and invitations for her to perform on tv shows and events became fewer and fewer. America's darling was falling apart, and although we wanted to do a giant intervention, we were helpless to do anything. The music began to suffer. And we, as consumers, moved on to other singers while her life came unraveled.

So how does someone recapture a tarnished public image? Much of the work of rebuilding her persona is, of course, squarely on Whitney's own shoulders. The most extraordinary of publicists can only do so much. Ultimately, Whitney will be the one answering questions during interviews and interacting with fans. But I do hope her PR people are giving her good counsel and helping her understand that even before the camera turns on, she will be scrutinized by those around her. If she becomes a Runaway Diva, it will be reported. If she gets upset over a question or is simply late for an interview, it will be talked about. She needs to realize the microscope will be on full power.

Ultimately, she needs to come across as sincere, humble and grateful for another chance. The good news is Americans are typically a forgiving bunch, and we love survivors. Here's hoping Whitney becomes one.

Biographies-- Getting Beyond Facts & Figures

I have a different view of biographies than some of my counterparts. Namely, I think bios are fairly boring. After reading so many -- and media people do -- their eyes glaze over and they can usually "insert artist's name here" because the copy is so redundant to every other bio. So how do you capture their attention?

First, think of your bio as more than facts and figures. Do you want to include awards and achievements? Maybe. If you can make them flow into the copy. Or maybe you should think about a quick Fact Sheet for those type of things, SEPARATE from the bio. In essence, your bio should read like a magazine article. It should be your story.

You might say, "I don't really have a story." Yes, you do. If you're over 12, you have one. Maybe you've never thought about sharing it before. But in truth, aren't you sharing it, in part, through your music? So why not go one step further and flesh out your story in bio form?

Your story may not be as dramatic or compelling as some others, but it will be unique to you. And being unique is never boring.

When the Story Meets the Song: Why Susan Boyle is so Loved

Thirty-two million hits and counting on YouTube. The kind of numbers most artists would die for. And Susan Boyle isn't even quite sure what YouTube really is. Why has this woman struck such a chord with the general public?

A quick three minute clip prior to her performance let us know all we THOUGHT we knew about this shy woman from Britain. We all made a gigantic assumption before she opened her mouth to sing. And we were all very wrong.

The shock on Simon's face said it all. We didn't expect this woman -- whose looks were forgettable and whose obvious backwardness we found slightly amusing -- to sing the way she did. But it wasn't just the fact that she could carry a tune -- a BIG tune -- from Les Miserables. It was the lyrics of the song itself that captivated us. "I Dreamed a Dream" was more than a song Susan chose -- it could have easily been her life story.

This is what A&R departments at record labels are designed to do -- to find not only the Artists, but help them define their Repertoire. Susan Boyle needed no A&R executive for that. She found a song that she could pour her very soul into singing. She found a song that proclaimed what she was feeling. And she made us feel it with her.

"My life has killed the dream I dreamed..." she sang softly in the closing stanza. And in that moment, we knew that each word she had sung had been the absolute truth. Her life of poverty, obscurity, loneliness and ridicule had killed her dreams. But the song that she chose to represent her life story gave her dream one last chance to be fulfilled. And that's what happens to an artist who marries their voice to the perfect song that best describes their personal journey. It is the authenticity of that moment that has made the whole world fall in love with Susan Boyle. It is what every artist should strive for.