Sleaze, Hype, My Ethical Boundaries, and the SlapChop.

[The Oilman]

I've had a hard time in this business .. mainly showing my stuff to friends and family.

Why? Because I fear people will think my stuff is hypey and sleazy.

But the thing is this -- I've grown to LOVE this style of marketing. Its fun.

For example -- When I first saw The Rich Jerk's website, I had to get it. I knew some of the stuff was hype, but I also knew I'd get something from it. I then ponied up the 50 bucks and bought the ebook.


It wasn't AMAZING, but it wasn't a disappointment by any means. It was entertaining and FUN. I ended up learning stuff from it and gained the inspiration to do all of this. Now I make a full time income online, and I do quite well.

But I hate SHOWING my stuff to people. I feel like anything direct resposne is very very open to criticism. People are skeptical and love to talk about how they'd never buy direct response things. But we all know that many many people do, right?

Is it a certain type of person who buys it? or do lots of people just not admit it?

I haev a good friend who is a bit of an elitist, and he makes fun of my websites and the people who sell like me. Hes been very critical and a large part of me thinks he is a bit jealous over what I've been able to do on my own.

HE says that direct response TV and online marketing should be moderated and/or banned, and that its rotting our economy, and that it preys on 'dumb people'. I find this very untrue, as I believe many bright people love this stuff. I also dont consider it TRICKERY -- I mean -- I think we all have a bit of skepticism in it... but thats kind of part of it all, right?

For a long time, I felt I'd try to market with a more "corporate" look and make my sites sexy and clean instead of fun. But slowly love grown to LOVE that style of marketing.

A great depiction of this can be seen in infomercials. I am suddenly in love with them.

For example, Vince -- the SlapChop guy :

YouTube - Vince with Slap Chop (Long version)

I think its HILARIOUS and its viral and its fun and its an irresistable offer (for me at least). I mean, its a measly $20 bucks. People pay this for the stupidist things (cigarettes, beer) without even thinking. Why not have this amazing cutting tool?

So, despite all of my inner issues with direct response marketing, I've slowly fallen in love with it. I think its great fun and I love its off-beat nature.

But I do have moral issues with some of it. First of all, I do see many direct response sites that are CLEARLY BS. And that angers me..

But -- my theory is that if you DELIVER and sell something of quality, then you've done your part.

Speaking of delivery -- I just bought the SlapChop today at a store here. Sadly, I am a bit disappointed. Vince really sold it to me. Oh well, I had fun doing it..

And other AS Seen on TV stuff -- such as the IronGym, the Magic Bullet Blender, the Perfect Pushups, and other stuff are great things.

Why is it that people have to instantly consider them junk?

And lets say they were marketed a different way -- like much more "corporate" and clean and all that BS ... is there ANY other way to sell things so effectively?

Ok I am babbling and am half asleep. Who know if anyone will even read this.

[Doug English]

lol...isn't that the ShamWow guy?
I heard a story recently where Billy Mays was ragging on him because he was giving him too much competition.

[The Oilman]

I think its awesome stuff.

Actually, since I posted the post (abotu 30 mins ago) I've used the slapchop to make a salad. I actually like it more now.

$20 bucks you can't go wrong.

I think this form of marketing is awesome and hilarious.

For example: The Snuggie. Everyone makes fun of it and it has a cult following. ITs MEANT to be funny and viral. How dumb though. But hilarious.

I am thinking about seeking out a pitchman at the local state fair this year and having him pitch my product on my salespages.

[Paul Buckley]

I love Vince. I never did care much for Billy Mays.

Oilman, you and I are old enough that the state fair barkers were an integral part of our youth. I wonder how many of these youngsters have ever stood for half an hour listening to the rapid fire and entertaining pitch of these guys.

The comedian, Gallagher, owes his career to his routine mimicing a state fair 'Veg-O-Matic' pitchman :P

[The Oilman]

Billy is pretty cool

He is in this new show called Pitchmen

Hes kind of a cool dude in real life. REminds me of Burt Reynolds. Kind of a quiet cool guy. Drives a nice Bentley.

[Michael Oksa]

Well you beat me to it Oilman, but let me add this...

To ALL marketers out there: Do whatever you can to watch the show Pitchmen. Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan offer insights into choosing a product, marketing it, and more.

I believe there have only been three episodes so far, but it's an entertaining way to pick up some marketing tips from two of the best in the field.

All the best,
Michael