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View Full Version : New Idea, Late night infomercial?




xcalybur
05-29-2007, 11:01 PM
I remember Candidates had some great commercials on TV in the 80's and 90's. Honestly, besides the trashy comercials I haven't see any in a long time. I am wondering if a late night infomercial that is formatted like a Larry King interview, without Larry King, would work. It should be fairly cheap compared to other media avenues. You could even put a ticker on the bottom kindof like CNN/MSNBC to run statistics about various things (Iraq war stats, inflation over time, war on drug stats). Also, run different clips of Ron Paul in Congress and else where. The problem would be two fold. Could someone get Ron Paul to actually do the interview? And two, would it be considered to be a cheap tactic or show badly on his campaign?

The advantages are HUGE. Run it a couple times a week or once a week on a national channel for a couple months and Ron Paul's exposure would go way up.

Just a thought. Also, there would still be some major money involved to us, but very little in terms of TV.

NewEnd
05-30-2007, 12:27 AM
infomercials are cheap as hell. Like really cheap. Like, you wouldn't believe how cheap. Like less than a hundred bucks.

xcalybur
05-30-2007, 12:53 AM
Do you mean less than a $100 to show on the air or less than $100 to make? I think it would be more to make it, especially if it is good. But we could save a lot of money making it by using our peoples talents and hopefully not have to pay a ton of money to some key people to talk on it.

If it is even $200 per showing once we have a commercial done then that is SO doable. I think this might work. I know that Sunday's during the day also have quite a few infomercials as well. They probably cost more, but would get the older crowd which is what we really need (The elderly vote at a higher percentage than any other demographic).

Kuldebar
05-30-2007, 02:33 AM
YouTube is overlapping into some of the infomercial territory, but unfortunately not everyone is wired yet. I fear a growing gap between the wired and not wired. Wired people can cross check, research and link sources on the fly, people watching TV don't have that ability.

Infomercial format has been used in past Libertarian Campaigns, the late Harry Browne's, for example. The problem is the time slot's are pretty obscure and it's arguable what particular audience/demographic you'd be reaching.

But, I don't disagree, if the price is still right for infomercial slots, Ron Paul would do really well in that type open format. Having the time to explain his views and show some of his background would be great. I was very impressed with his "live" Austin appearance taking questions outside from the crowd.

It's something politicians usually can't do because they aren't the real deal.

NewEnd
05-30-2007, 10:37 AM
Do you mean less than a $100 to show on the air or less than $100 to make? I think it would be more to make it, especially if it is good. But we could save a lot of money making it by using our peoples talents and hopefully not have to pay a ton of money to some key people to talk on it.

If it is even $200 per showing once we have a commercial done then that is SO doable. I think this might work. I know that Sunday's during the day also have quite a few infomercials as well. They probably cost more, but would get the older crowd which is what we really need (The elderly vote at a higher percentage than any other demographic).


I mean less than $100 to show, on basic cable. And I mean, less than a hundred bucks for a half hour show for a week. My employer did one once, and it was really cheap. I never found out how cheap, and cant remember how the costs were structured, but it was dirt cheap.

brumans
09-15-2007, 02:26 PM
Maybe we can put avaroth's video on it :)

$100 for a 30 minute slot on cable TV seems ridiculously low

MsDoodahs
09-15-2007, 02:35 PM
GMTA...

Doodahs and I talked about this last week.

I called one agency, talked with a guy there, gave him no details on who but I did tell him it would be a political related spot. He told me that it is possible to run a half hour infomercial nationwide on several channels for two weeks straight for $25000.

I don't know if that breaks down to $100 a spot or not, because I didn't ask him a whole lot of questions about how many channels, etc.

He said that because it was political related, there might be some special pricing (HIGHER) and he was supposed to call me back but he hasn't.

I love the idea and I think it is a FANTASTIC idea.

Only difference is that I don't think Ron has to anything to make it happen if he does not want to.

Can't we make it happen by getting footage of some of his speeches?

Lord Xar
09-15-2007, 02:40 PM
this is a great idea but one problem is getting "video" etc.. that is broadcast quality and rights free for use. Avaroth has GREAT VIDEOS, but I believe these are not "broadcast" quality or have permissions for 'music/certain videos" -- if he did, then his would be top notch to use, for sure.

I think it might be worthwhile to have a "conversation with ron paul" and use that.

gagnonstudio
09-15-2007, 02:43 PM
I really think this is a great idea. It would reach a large audience for a low cost, and at the same time receive MSM coverage. You know they couldn't resist talking about the Ron Paulfomercial. Which would drive an increased amount of viewers due to the news story. Then the Ron Paul message would get them hooked. Great idea. I think we should contact the campaign and ask if they have any objections, and then move on it.

Joe Knows
09-15-2007, 02:44 PM
GMTA...

Doodahs and I talked about this last week.

I called one agency, talked with a guy there, gave him no details on who but I did tell him it would be a political related spot. He told me that it is possible to run a half hour infomercial nationwide on several channels for two weeks straight for $25000.

I don't know if that breaks down to $100 a spot or not, because I didn't ask him a whole lot of questions about how many channels, etc.

He said that because it was political related, there might be some special pricing (HIGHER) and he was supposed to call me back but he hasn't.

I love the idea and I think it is a FANTASTIC idea.

Only difference is that I don't think Ron has to anything to make it happen if he does not want to.

Can't we make it happen by getting footage of some of his speeches?

You could probably make the infomercial pay for itself by soliticiting donations for the campaign.

MsDoodahs
09-15-2007, 02:46 PM
this is a great idea but one problem is getting "video" etc.. that is broadcast quality and rights free for use. Avaroth has GREAT VIDEOS, but I believe these are not "broadcast" quality or have permissions for 'music/certain videos" -- if he did, then his would be top notch to use, for sure.

I think it might be worthwhile to have a "conversation with ron paul" and use that.

That would be great...and that would be a nice title...

"A Conversation with Ron Paul"

:)

disinter
09-15-2007, 02:48 PM
We need to infomercial this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqlnl-T3Gxk


.

born2drv
09-15-2007, 02:50 PM
I remember Candidates had some great commercials on TV in the 80's and 90's. Honestly, besides the trashy comercials I haven't see any in a long time. I am wondering if a late night infomercial that is formatted like a Larry King interview, without Larry King, would work. It should be fairly cheap compared to other media avenues. You could even put a ticker on the bottom kindof like CNN/MSNBC to run statistics about various things (Iraq war stats, inflation over time, war on drug stats). Also, run different clips of Ron Paul in Congress and else where. The problem would be two fold. Could someone get Ron Paul to actually do the interview? And two, would it be considered to be a cheap tactic or show badly on his campaign?

The advantages are HUGE. Run it a couple times a week or once a week on a national channel for a couple months and Ron Paul's exposure would go way up.

Just a thought. Also, there would still be some major money involved to us, but very little in terms of TV.

I like the idea too because those that tend to watch them are mindless bafoons..... I mean come on, No Money Down Real Estate???? Who buys into that BS??? If people watch and buy into that rubbage they will love Ron Paul!

It's nice to attract the intelligent people who go on C-Span and follow politics carefully, but courting the mindless sheep is just as effective, after all, a vote is a vote ;)

brumans
09-15-2007, 02:54 PM
A late night infomercial will only reach the bottom 1% of society - the shut-in social outcasts. In other words it will only reach Ron's existing supporters.

You are calling Ron Paul supporters shut-in social outcasts?

Man from La Mancha
09-15-2007, 03:04 PM
The Long Form...........http://www.targettelevision.com/longform.html

The 30 minute infomercial, also known as "The Long Form" can be a powerful weapon in your selling arsenal. Just consider these facts:

In 2003, nearly two thirds of Americans 16 and older will have seen a direct response television ad, translating to 136.2 million viewers.
One in four American viewers say they have purchased an infomercial product, most often by calling a 1-800 number to order.
According to research by Leisure Trends group, viewers are more likely to trust an infomercial than Congress, used car salesmen or corporate executives.
Americans are buying from infomercials more and more. Sales have more than doubled in the last five years.
A successful infomercial product can generate more than 40 million dollars in sales in just three months. Retail sales generally come soon after, and on the average, are 4 to 8 times greater than television sales.
Corporate America has not ignored the success of the infomercial, in fact, in 2004 alone major corporations such as Proctor and Gamble, Sharper Image, Crest, and others have begun to produce long form infomercials to help move their new line of retail products.

Why the move to infomericals?

Simple. With such an array of diverse channels to choose from, we can now target specific groups to purchase our products. Have a kitchen innovation--we can run it on the Food Network. Have a garden product--we can put it on HGTV. By targeting your message to the group most likely to buy--you achieve a much higher success rate.

What's make a successful infomercial?

1) Entertaining
Remember this golden rule; NOBODY EVER PLANS TO WATCH AN INFOMERCIAL. We don't show up in TV listings, and nobody ever sets their VCR or TIVO to record a paid programming message. You can only catch viewers "on the fly" either after they just watched a show, or while they are surfing through channels.

2) Compelling
You need to create 28 minutes and 30 seconds of a compelling need for consumers to pick up the phone and call. You need to address the problem that your product solves, and show that product in action again and again. The more common the problem, the better the results.

3) Honest Spokespeople
Your main spokesperson needs to have a trusting personality, someone that the audience can identify with. This may be a celebrity, or someone with whom your audience can feel an instant connection.

4) Closing
Presenting your product is just half of the job, you also need to follow the ABC rule of sales. Always Be Closing. You need to constantly be showing the benefits of the product--and more importantly how the use of your product will save the consumer time, frustration, and money if they will pick up the phone and call. In addition, you want to package your product with premiums that sweeten the deal.

5) Testimonies
The consumer is not in the room to touch the product or even try the product themselves. They need to rely on the information they are given by other people JUST LIKE THEM.

Steps to make an infomercial for your product:

1) Test Market
Assuming you have already received a patent, and that you have some prototypes or inventory of the product, your next step is to test market. This can be done several ways--you may want to create a 60 second commercial and run it on some select stations to gauge response or you may just want to take it to the people.

Rent a booth for a weekend at a flea market, or ask permission from a mall or grocery store to set up a small table and talk to people about your product. See if they are interested, see if they will pay the price you are asking. Find out what they like and don't like.

Too often, people will only talk to relatives and friends--which is a dreadful focus group, since they will often tell you exactly what you want to hear.

2) Hire An Agency that Specializes in Infomercial's
After finding out if your product will sell, and what benefits turn on customers the most. It is time to talk with an agency. We, of course, recommend The Target Market Advertising Group, but you may want to talk to others to compare prices and services.

While speaking to the other agencies, know that you will need a least four services:

a) Scripting
The creation of your script.

b) Production
The casting, shooting, producing, and editing of your infomercial.

c) Placement or Media Buying
The purchasing of advertising time on stations throughout the county, or nationally, and then uplinking or sending your ad in the proper format to run.

d) Fulfillment
The procurement of a toll free number, a website, as well as a center to take calls and answer questions, a credit card merchant account, and a shipping and transport center.

The cost of these services can range from $25,000 to $150,000 depending on the production costs and the media buys.

Infomercial Myths

Myth: Nobody ever buys anything from an infomercial.
Truth: Actually, 1 in every 4 Americans have purchased a product advertised on an infomerical.

Myth: Your product has to be less than $19.95
Truth: Your price can be anything. The $19.95 is a good target since you will get the most calls, but we have created successful informercials for products with tags of $129 and more.

Myth: Infomericals look cheap.
Truth: Far from it. Some infomericals are actually better than the TV programs that run before and after it! It all depends on the script and the production.

Myth: Nobody watches Infomericals
Truth: Oh really? You go into a room with 10 people (ANY 10 people) and ask them to raise their hands if they have heard of any of the following products: The George Foreman Grill, Oxi-Clean, BowFlex, or Girls Gone Wild. Then you come back and tell us nobody watches infomercials.

Myth: You Need A Celebrity
Truth: Celebrities help sell your product since they have instant recognition with the audience, but they are not a necessary. In fact, some people have become celebrities by doing infomercials!

Need more information? Please contact us and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.



.

Lord Xar
09-15-2007, 03:27 PM
Yes, and my lower intestinal tract contains only Ron Paul Slim Jims.

hahahaah... awesome another scared little troll joins the forums.

I LOVE WHEN THEY COME!! It just shows that they are afraid and worried, LOVE IT!

1. This troll either LOVES THE GUBMIT CHEESE - ie, socialist/marxist give me give me give me, mentality and doesn't believe people that individuals should be the captains of their own ships.

OR

2. A simple minded person who wants the endless wars, corruption, and elites to rule his tiny mind.

Its okay Ronulan, those on the left and right will massage your little head and protect you. hahahha.. what a simpleton.

RONULAN --- stop drinking the KOOL-AID, it's making your mind mush.

coboman
11-26-2007, 03:07 AM
An infomercial asking for donations on the spot could pay for itself!
This is definitely the most efficient way of spending the money in the primary states.

Man from La Mancha
11-26-2007, 03:12 AM
Yea where is Matt now with his ad "expertise" I love this and will do with out going out to eat for a couple more weeks if some young blood wants to take charge.:D

.

ClayTrainor
11-26-2007, 03:18 AM
We need to infomercial this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqlnl-T3Gxk


.

QFT

Eric21ND
11-26-2007, 03:33 AM
I wish someone could start this up with a PAC or something.

I think we should shoot a 30 min infomercial, but make it in a documentary light. Introduce Dr. Paul and talk about his military experience, medical practice, and family life. Then slowly get into his issues.

We would get a lot of viewers watching it because many people work off hours, and older people are actually awake to see these spots because they wake up EARLY...like 3am sometimes.

1. Can someone set up a donation point for this?

2. Can we get qualified people on here to step up make this film a success?

We only have a couple months left people, pretty soon it will be too late for anything!

Eric21ND
11-26-2007, 03:34 AM
There is enormous potential here.

coboman
11-26-2007, 03:50 AM
Don't forget the potential to bring NEW donors on the spot.

An infomercial can be easily be seen by 100,000 people. If the infomercial is half as good as most youTube videos out there, you could convince people to donate on the spot.

With Ron Paul's message, I think that a 10% people deciding to donate $25 would be a very conservative estimate.

That's $250,000 per show, $1,000,000 a week.

There is no other better way to measure the success of a campaign, and to fuel the campaign immediately.

This is condensing the experience of most Ron Paul supporters in the internet, in 30 minutes:
1) Watch a video of Ron Paul making sense.
2) Get excited about a politician making sense.
3) See that you are not the only one excited about it (testimonials)
4) Get excited about contributing.
5) Contribute (donate at least $25.00 NOW!)

Eric21ND
11-26-2007, 04:00 AM
I think a lot of people would notice it because it could be filmed differently than most infomercials. I think we really need to play up Ron Paul's impressive bio, get some veterans speaking about him.

30mins of Ron Paul footage is just too good to pass up.

Eric21ND
11-26-2007, 04:02 AM
It could also advertise the Dec 16th donation day and other important information, how to register and where to vote, etc.

coboman
11-26-2007, 04:07 AM
A successful infomercial product can generate more than 40 million dollars in sales in just three months.(From an infomercial production company (http://www.targettelevision.com/longform.html) website).

A successful infomercial could make the online donations look like pocket change.

frasu
11-26-2007, 04:14 AM
this is a very very good idea... how can it be pursued?

coboman
11-26-2007, 04:24 AM
this is a very very good idea... how can it be pursued?

The official campaign is taking ages to make this happen, so I guess it is up to us.

First, get the money to produce the infomercial.

According to a website (http://www.infomercial.com/averagecosts.shtml), a good infomercial can be around $150,000.
But I think that a good compilation of YouTube videos, and a nice interview with Ron Paul could go for much less.

YouTube videos, if presented in a frame, can look very decent on regular TV.

Then, have everyone pay for the infomercial to air in their local TV stations.

And ASK FOR DONATIONS. It is fundamental for the success of an infomercial to ask people to do something NOW!

coboman
11-26-2007, 11:48 AM
bump

Matthew Zak
11-26-2007, 11:59 AM
bump

tfelice
11-26-2007, 12:38 PM
I didn't have the time to read through the whole thread, so forgive me if other mentioned this.

I think the late night infomercial is a great way to go provided that it is advertised to potential primary voters. Many people use TIVO & DVR today, and those that don't surely have a VCR. So in order for this to reach the people needed (that small percentage of eligible voters who actually vote in the primaries), it need to be promoted on talk radio and through local cable commericals on FoxNews, CNBC, CNN, etc. Advertise the program, the time & channel and tell people to tape it. Otherwise, we will have an infomercial on at 4am and the only people that will be watching it are insomniacs, meth addicts and night watchmen.

syborius
11-26-2007, 01:21 PM
infomercials are cheap as hell. Like really cheap. Like, you wouldn't believe how cheap. Like less than a hundred bucks.

I can put one together for 50 cents, some Elmer's glue, string, and silly putty. :rolleyes:

jgmaynard
11-26-2007, 01:37 PM
I can put one together for 50 cents, some Elmer's glue, string, and silly putty. :rolleyes:

I kid you not - we did the Free State Project commercial with three plastic coconut shells, two Federal Reserve Notes and a card table. :)

Actually - I realized just this Sunday that there is a 1/2 hour infomercial spot on right after "POlitical Chowder" a fairly popular NH political talk show on which Dr. Paul has appeared and been treated fairly. I was thinking - late Sunday morning, PBS, how expensive can it be? And the lead-in would be great...

JM

FluxCapacitor
11-26-2007, 01:57 PM
An infomercial can be very powerful. The 30 seconds that he gets in a debate is not long enough to educate people on important concepts.

Imagine Ron Paul sitting down in front of a camera for a half hour and explaining:

1) The federal budget and the national debt with graphs and charts.
2) The monetary system, fiat money, and inflation.
3) The importance of following the rule of law.
4) The importance of having a president strong enough to resist the urge to claim powers not intended for the executive branch.

This is not something we can organize at the grassroots level. Ron Paul will have to do it himself.

coboman
11-26-2007, 02:09 PM
Ron Paul will have to do it himself.

Then let's put some pressure to HQ.

They are spending money on Tv and radio spots that are useless. Only an infomercial could deliver the complex message efectively, and at the same time pay for itself calling for donations.

This would have a snowball effect, where people watching the infomercial pay for having seen it, and pay for others to see.

This is URGENT.

MSM is not that important, what is important is TV! People watch lots of TV, and can donate via telephone.

This would be bringing the internet phenomenon, to a TV phenomenon. To the masses.

parocks
11-26-2007, 02:53 PM
Before we can make an infomercial, we need broadcast quality footage of Ron Paul that we can air in an infomercial.

Whether we make a slick infomercial, a slick DVD, or a slick TV commercial, we need that broadcast quality footage.

Downloading a compressed 320x240 flash video from YouTube won't work, but
the original video (AVI? MOV?) from which the YouTube was created might.

Is there a website called www.ronpaulvideoclips.com or something like that where those who are interested in making an infomercial, DVD or TV commercial can download that broadcast quality raw footage?

coboman
11-26-2007, 04:06 PM
Before we can make an infomercial, we need broadcast quality footage of Ron Paul

Getting an interview with him, and recording testimonials of his supporters, could be done from scratch to get good quality footage.

And the Youtube videos, could be posted as is. In a framed window, stating that this is an amateur video, people could get the message and the charm of the grassroots supporters.

Original_Intent
11-26-2007, 04:14 PM
It would be great if HQ sat down and produced a 30 minute video of Ron Paul laying down his positions. Even if it was just for making DVD's to distribute, having home parties, etc it would be incredible. For use on an infomercial it would be invaluable. How much would running an infomercial nationwide on cable/satelite late at night cost?

Original_Intent
11-26-2007, 04:28 PM
Wow, I did a google on infomercial and guess what I found???

http://www.nolanchart.com/article274.html

I am very fired up about this idea! I wonder how Ron Paul would feel about spending a day or two to get a high quality infomercial produced.

I don't think splicing debate appearances etc, even with good quality video will cut it. I think we need Ron paul talking one-on one with the viewer about his views on the war, the economy, whatever else he needs to get to everyone! I think this would be more powerful than an interview format. Just let the man speak and the nation will fall in love with him!

Check out the above link, that really sold me on the idea!

coboman
11-27-2007, 08:00 AM
Someone must take this idea seriously and run with it.

1) Ron Paul's ideas take time to explain and digest, 60 second TV spots are not useful here.
2) Infomercials can be seen by anyone with a TV.
3) It can include testimonials of people like you, with a great story to tell.
4) It can reach the people that currently know only about the candidates through MSM.
5) An infomercial can ask for contributions on the spot, making it easy to measure its effectiveness, and also help to make it pay for itself.
6) People can donate via telephone (which would reach a larger amount of people than the internet)