Infomercials, Billy Mays and the ShamWow

Fortune magazine has an extremely interesting article on the direct response advertising industry with interviews with Billy Mays, Anthony Sullivan and Vince Offer. In addition to a great behind-the-scenes look at the growing industry, and a he said/she said spout between competitors Offer and Mays, I took away these key points on the real heart of how these guys make things happen:

• The pitchmen usually make between 3% and 5% of total sales for the product their hawking.
• Retail store sales actually accounts for 90% of As Seen on TV products.
• Mays goes through his three-part formula for a great pitch.
• The Discovery Channel is actually launching a reality show called Pitchmen soon.

So, what’s your favorite infomercial? Would you ever use one for your product?

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