Infomercials can teach you a lot when it comes to writing strong copy. Think that’s silly?  Not at all. In fact, I’m about to show you 7 ways infomercials pull people in before they even realize it. (By the way, that’s a great marketing strategy!)

1. They grab your attention.

TV is really the most challenging medium there is. And that’s where infomercials exist. You’re just  a click of a remote control away from your viewers to get to the next channel. So they seriously want to get your attention right away and KEEP it for as long as possible.

That’s why infomercials make bold statements and emphasize how this awesome widget will change your life for the better. You should do this too! Stop beating around the bush and make it clear to your prospects how your products and services will change *their* lives AND what to do next!

2. They give lots and lots of real-life testimonials.

Years ago TV commercials consisted of one or two people talking to a camera. These days, typical 30 minute spots contain more than 80% testimonials! And that’s for good reason… they are the absolute BEST way to gain instant credibility.

A great example is for one of those home exercise machines. Years ago they showed a super-ripped guy using it on the infomercial. Now they show that guy, PLUS dozens of before and after testimonials from real-life guys with beer bellies and real jobs who used the product with success. That was a great move on their part, because c’mon, I just can’t believe that super-ripped guy got that hot looking using it just 30 minutes, 3 times a week! Convince me!

3. They use personalities.

The most successful infomercials now use celebrity guest hosts. They know this gets people’s attention more than just about anything out there. Pro Activ uses Jessica Simpson. Youthful Essence has Susan Lucci. Even NutriSystem is using Dan Marino in their commercials to target men.

You can do the same in your marketing. You can either hire a star, or even better, make YOURSELF the celebrity… by sharing stories, being personal, and having fun with your market.

4. They give an irresistible offer.

It’s rare for an infomercial to advertise the full price. You’ll mostly see things like “3 payments of $19.95″ or “4 payments of $39.95″. Or they’ll even “waive” one payment if you act NOW!  Why? Cash-crunched viewers are always more concerned about cash flow than the total price. They’ll even happily pay much MORE in the end in order to gain a lower monthly payment!

You can do the same. Offer a payment plan for your products, courses, workshops, and coaching. You’ll be AMAZED at the increased response, and it’s easy to do with marketing-savvy shopping cart systems.

5. They give a strong call-to-action NOW.

These folks know that as soon as you change the channel, you’re going to forget about their product. So they make it very urgent that you pick up the phone and call them NOW or visit their website and order. They usually say something like “If you call in the next 10 minutes you also get…” and they list a few great bonuses.

This isn’t just specific to television. Everyone would rather put off ANY decision these days, we’re all so busy and overwhelmed! So you need to give people a good REASON to act now, whether it’s a discount that expires, a payment plan that expires, a limited number of products or seats, a special bonus… you get the idea.

6. They sell on continuity.

What’s “continuity”? It’s when you make ONE sale that results in multiple charges over and over. For example, think about all the diet food plans, skin care programs, what have you! Subsequent orders ship automatically,, until you cancel. It’s the mother-load! They only had to make ONE sale and they get multiple ongoing sales afterward.

Listen Up… continuity will change your life! Think about how you can use this concept in your business. Could you convert some of your current offerings into a monthly membership? Or instead of doing one-shot teleseminars, create an ongoing monthly program?

7. They repeat themselves. And repeat themselves again.

Smart marketers know it takes an average of NINE TIMES for someone to see/hear/get your message BEFORE they even consider purchasing! That goes for you too. Be consistent. One or two times you try a marketing strategy doesn’t do it justice. Think about it!

Remember it’s the ongoing exposure and repetition that breeds familiarity and trust with your prospects! And that leads to more sales than you’ve ever imagined.