The Myth of the Magic Wand: Why Some People Expect Instant Fame Without Doing the Work
I’m not your fairy godmother — I’m your publicist. I build stages, open doors, and amplify your voice. But you have to perform.
Over the years, I've seen it time and time again — people who know me, have seen my work, have witnessed my clients get out there and get known, but still believe that I must have a secret spell, a magic wand, that instantly makes people famous overnight.
Let’s unpack that mentality. Because it’s not just unrealistic — it’s dangerous to their own progress.
1. They’ve Bought Into the 'Overnight Success' Illusion
Social media has glamorized the "viral moment" as if it’s something you can order off a menu. What they don’t see is the years of consistent effort, networking, and strategic positioning behind every so-called "overnight" success. They think, "If Pam did it for them, she can do it for me — instantly."
What they’re missing: Success isn’t instant. It’s layered, strategic, and requires partnership, not passive wishing.
2. They Underestimate the Power of Personal Effort
They want visibility, but they avoid visibility work. They’re not posting consistently, not polishing their message, not showing up on podcasts, not writing articles, not building relationships with media. They think hiring PR is like hiring a magician. But earned media requires their active participation and preparation. As I always say: Your PR is only as powerful as your participation.
3. They See PR as a Transaction, Not a Transformation
They believe publicity is a product, like buying a handbag. But true publicity is transformational — it evolves your brand and platform over time. It requires investment: time, money, energy, and mindset. Without that, they're just chasing headlines, not building a legacy.
4. They’re Craving Validation Without Foundation
Some folks are really looking for external validation because they haven’t built a solid internal foundation. They think that a media hit will fill that gap — but it never does. The truth is, no amount of press can compensate for lack of clarity, confidence, or credibility. Media shines a light on what already exists.
5. They Confuse Access with Action
Because they know me, they think they have backdoor access to instant results. But knowing me isn’t the same as working the strategy. Proximity does not equal progress. You still have to walk the path, do the work, and invest in your elevation.
6. They Fear Doing the Hard, Unseen Work
Behind every media win is a mountain of unseen work: crafting the perfect pitch, building media relationships, responding promptly, creating compelling content, rehearsing talking points. They want the spotlight, but not the sweat it takes to earn it.
7. They’ve Forgotten the Power of Collaboration
Publicists are not magicians. We are partners. We amplify what’s already there. When you bring energy, readiness, and commitment to the table, we multiply it. If you bring nothing, we’re multiplying zero — and zero times any number is still zero.
Bottom line:
There’s no magic wand. There’s magic in the work.
I can open doors, but you have to walk through them. I can amplify your voice, but you have to speak up. I can build the stage, but you must show up and perform.
The good news? When we work together, aligned and intentional, the results feel magical — because they’re the fruit of smart strategy and dedication.
