How to Do an Infomercial
A good infomercial is profitable for a company and entertaining for the viewer. Actors such as Chuck Norris and Suzanne Somers have loaned their star quality to these commercials. Infomercials are extended TV commercials that last up to a half hour. They usually are for simple, easy to use consumer products or services that can be understood rapidly. Production of an infomercial takes several steps.
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Instructions
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Choose your product to be sold on the air. It must be easy to use, simple to understand and have a visual component. In addition, it should solve a common consumer problem such as weight loss, financial worries, entertainment or daily chores. Products in these categories are all easy to communicate to the wider audience.
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Cast your actors to be the salespeople for your infomercial. Recognizable faces make good spokespeople because the consumer can identify with them and may be susceptible to their pitch. If you do not cast famous people, use attractive well-spoken individuals who can connect well on television. Customer testimonials should also be cast. Find past users in your target sales demographic that can convincingly advertise the product.
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3
Produce the video using several short-term video sales techniques. Because few people will watch the entire show, include all the necessary info of the sales pitch in a few minute segment. The closing of these segments should have a strong "call to action" asking the customer to buy now. The phone number, website and mailing address should also be displayed on the screen during the entire show.
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Remember to include disclaimers at the end of all ads that state: "Actual results may vary." Be careful about the claims that are made in these ads. Consumer protection bureaus tend to target infomercials for misleading statements because of the impression that the ads prey on gullible consumers.
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Distribute the infomercial to key channels in targeted demographics. While the spot is likely to be shown late at night or early in the morning due to the length, targeting the right audience is still important. Have a marketing expert help make these decisions.
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References
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