I decided to sit down and watch Joel Comm's internet reality show, The Next Internet Millionaire, last night. This is the first segment I have seen of the series, and it was the latest one out: episode 6.
Apparently 5 people have already been cut from the show, leaving the 7 you see in the image above. The email announcement called it "the most controversial and edgy episode of all"... Not having seen the first 5 episodes, I'll have to take their word for it.
The show is very well put together, and pretty much just like any reality show you might catch on television. Joel Comm is no Jeff Probst, but the morph from Adsense Guru to Reality TV Host is pretty impressive nonetheless.
In this particular episode, Joel sent all 7 contestants out to a crowded racing event with a bag of (quickly melting) popsicles to see which one could earn the most money in 20 minutes.
Was it an outrageous challenge just to make the show interesting, or were there some valuable marketing lessons to be learned? A little bit of both...
Tips you might pick up from the popsicle challenge:
- Trust & Credibility affect your sales.
"Who are you, and why are you trying to give my kid a melting popsicle?" was a hurdle they had to jump with their target market. - Be honest and thorough with your advertising.
Calling it "free" just to get visitors and then hitting them with the sales pitch once they arive... is not good business. - Confidence in yourself and your product shows.
Never beg for the sale, be apologetic about selling, or let your customer know you need the sale. Keep it about the product, and about the customer. - Never ask a "yes or no" question.
Ask leading questions, that encourage a positive answer.
One of the poor girls (third from the left) was wigging for a drink, and whining that she hadnt had a drop of liquor in at least two weeks. I'm not so sure she's going to make it...
Watch All 6 Episodes of The Next Internet Millionaire...
Enjoy!
p.s. I havent been keeping up, but I'm curious if this is only airing online or if they are hoping to get picked up by a television network or what. If anyone has the scoop on that leave a comment below and catch me up. Thx!
Technorati Tags: joel comm, millionaires, next internet millionaire, internet marketing, reality tv, video
About Lynn Terry
I am going to have to check this out when I have some extra time!
Lynn,
Reality shows is cutting across the world today, but I think it started in the US.
In my country, Nigeria, it's so popular and raging that nearly every segment of commerce, business and what have you are into it.
But you have the "Good, Bad and Ugly" reality shows - some requires nakedness and such lewd stuff. 🙁
Now, to the issue at stake, can you suggest one or more ways one can apply realities shows to an online business?
Please take it off... 🙂
What you see above, Joel Comm's "Next Internet Millionaire" is the best example in the online business topic - and currently the only one that I know of...