Comments on: 10 Things You Can Learn From Infomercials http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html Exploring the trends driving small business Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:39:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Fred Ranchero http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html#comment-982986 Fred Ranchero Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:47:31 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=20781#comment-982986 The thing with infomercial's is that it seems to me that almost everyone hates them but there are so many times that I catch myself or others watching them because they can really catch your eye. If the infomercial is a good one they really know how to reel you in and catch your attention. There are so many tactics that they seem to use that really work. In the end I would say that even though they are extremely annoying and usually a waste of time to watch they have made them so that they are very catching and make you feel like you want to watch them. They are very effective for what they are. The thing with infomercial’s is that it seems to me that almost everyone hates them but there are so many times that I catch myself or others watching them because they can really catch your eye. If the infomercial is a good one they really know how to reel you in and catch your attention. There are so many tactics that they seem to use that really work. In the end I would say that even though they are extremely annoying and usually a waste of time to watch they have made them so that they are very catching and make you feel like you want to watch them. They are very effective for what they are.

]]> By: Allen C http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html#comment-675461 Allen C Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:30:10 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=20781#comment-675461 I believe these probably work. But it's funny how so many advertisers that people really love (Apple, Nike, etc.) do few if any of these. These tricks just put your product in a certain category. I believe these probably work. But it’s funny how so many advertisers that people really love (Apple, Nike, etc.) do few if any of these. These tricks just put your product in a certain category.

]]> By: Brad Harmon http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html#comment-675455 Brad Harmon Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:14:54 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=20781#comment-675455 Robert, I remember those ladders too. I never bought one because I lived in an apartment at the time, but I sure wanted one. David, You're correct. We may not like them, but man are they effective. Many of them have even become part of our pop culture. Some of the pitchmen like Billy Mays (RIP Billy) and Vince from ShamWOW are almost as popular as some celebrities. I think you have hit the formula on the head. It works over and over again. I think the only part you missed is that they know who their target audience is and market directly to them. It's not just the price of air time that causes them to air when they do. Small businesses can learn a lot from this industry. Brad Robert,

I remember those ladders too. I never bought one because I lived in an apartment at the time, but I sure wanted one.

David,

You’re correct. We may not like them, but man are they effective. Many of them have even become part of our pop culture. Some of the pitchmen like Billy Mays (RIP Billy) and Vince from ShamWOW are almost as popular as some celebrities.

I think you have hit the formula on the head. It works over and over again. I think the only part you missed is that they know who their target audience is and market directly to them. It’s not just the price of air time that causes them to air when they do. Small businesses can learn a lot from this industry.

Brad

]]> By: Neal O'Sullivan http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html#comment-675445 Neal O'Sullivan Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:04:00 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=20781#comment-675445 From a GL perspective, what percent of sales should a merchant be prepared to spend to effectively market a product? That said, what should a merchant expect as a ROI? In addition, is there a short list of companies best suited to deliver "the goods" with respect to marketing? From a GL perspective, what percent of sales should a merchant be prepared to spend to effectively market a product? That said, what should a merchant expect as a ROI? In addition, is there a short list of companies best suited to deliver “the goods” with respect to marketing?

]]> By: Martin Lindeskog http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html#comment-675431 Martin Lindeskog Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:16:56 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=20781#comment-675431 Ah, the infomercials! :) David Cotriss: I have to check out Woot. Scroll down the site and read "Mumbo Jumbo". ;) That's "priceless"... Ah, the infomercials! :) David Cotriss: I have to check out Woot. Scroll down the site and read “Mumbo Jumbo”. ;) That’s “priceless”…

]]> By: Andee Sellman, One Sherpa http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html#comment-675425 Andee Sellman, One Sherpa Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:08:16 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=20781#comment-675425 Great thoughts David, One thing that I believe is part of the mix is the whole use of FREE in any interactions with customers. People are so short of time and sick of being marketed to that in order to get any brain share from them, I find that we need to offer something free as part of the process of building a relationship with them. Great thoughts David,
One thing that I believe is part of the mix is the whole use of FREE in any interactions with customers. People are so short of time and sick of being marketed to that in order to get any brain share from them, I find that we need to offer something free as part of the process of building a relationship with them.

]]> By: Business Ideas http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html#comment-675412 Business Ideas Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:14:15 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=20781#comment-675412 It is all about benefiting. How does it have to help that person that is so much in need of it. our understanding to this simple truth can lead to numerous sales of our newly created products. Thanks for you post on the first thing we can learn. ..........Thanks once more It is all about benefiting. How does it have to help that person that is so much in need of it. our understanding to this simple truth can lead to numerous sales of our newly created products.
Thanks for you post on the first thing we can learn.
……….Thanks once more

]]> By: Anita Campbell http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html#comment-675406 Anita Campbell Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:48:38 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=20781#comment-675406 Robert -- I've seen that infomercial, too, and remember it. I think the difference with that infomercial over some others is that the underlying product itself is so useful and convenient. Versus some kitchen gadget that you know you'd use once and then it would just take up space in your cabinet. Robert — I’ve seen that infomercial, too, and remember it. I think the difference with that infomercial over some others is that the underlying product itself is so useful and convenient. Versus some kitchen gadget that you know you’d use once and then it would just take up space in your cabinet.

]]> By: Robert Brady http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/10/10-things-you-can-learn-from-infomercials.html#comment-675390 Robert Brady Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:03:56 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=20781#comment-675390 The best infomercial I've seen is for the Little Giant Ladder. It fascinated me because ladders are NOT a glamorous or interesting product, yet the uniqueness of this product is apparent very quickly. But it is only apparent when you see someone demonstrating the many uses of the ladder. The company president Hal Wing is almost always in the infomercial and he literally shows you over 30 different applications for the ladder in the space of 5-10 minutes. It's amazing and yet when I've actually used a Little Giant Ladder myself, it really is as easy as he made it look. The best infomercial I’ve seen is for the Little Giant Ladder. It fascinated me because ladders are NOT a glamorous or interesting product, yet the uniqueness of this product is apparent very quickly. But it is only apparent when you see someone demonstrating the many uses of the ladder. The company president Hal Wing is almost always in the infomercial and he literally shows you over 30 different applications for the ladder in the space of 5-10 minutes. It’s amazing and yet when I’ve actually used a Little Giant Ladder myself, it really is as easy as he made it look.

]]>