The Cult of Oprah

O O O Oprah is everywhere.  She has an opinion about most everything and isn’t shy about sharing it.  The real power in her opinion comes from the level of trust that she has earned from audiences all over the world.  I wonder how many people you can find that do not know who she is.

With her show and now her magazine, she discussed issues that concerned all walks of life.  She recommends books for you to read.  She tells you which President to vote for.   She brings in experts to offer you self help.

Oprah engages in all concerns you might have.  If she does not directly have the answers, she finds someone qualified to provide them for you.  Her guidance extends to weight loss, health, beauty, fashion, food, careers, and self-empowerment.

In her show she provides free gifts to the audience.  This is a very strong promotion platform for any product placement.  If Oprah endorses something, that carries with it the trust she has earned from her viewers.  This shows the weight of Oprah’s opinion.  It matters, people trust it.  She needs only to mention a book and it can become a best seller within that week.  Her plug for a product has the potential to increase sales exponentially.

This influence does not mean that it is being abused, merely that it is strong.  It is interesting to note that while the presence and reach of ecclesiastical leaders is continually diminishing, that prominent figures such as Oprah are growing.  There may be a correlation in these trends.  It implies that for those that subscribe to the O magazine, they are subscribing to the Cult of Oprah.