Infomercial man shares handy-dandy secrets... $55 Million Later...
 

Chickens, Bald spots, Pickles... :)

Always be Brainstorming and Thinking Ideas! ;)

No matter...

Inventions, Hard goods, information products... Whatever...

$55 Million Later...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14270040/?GT1=9145

Phil

Nutraceuticals... A 12-Month Millionaire...
 

Aloha Phil,

I think this quote is important...


J. Gordon says (in his 7 Secrets course) nutraceuticals will only get only more popular as the Baby Boomers start to retire.

Vincent James made over a $100 million in a few short years selling nutraceuticals via direct marketing.

That is a business I would like to get into. Finding companies that manufacture AND drop-ship is getting easier. And that means little guys like you and I are able to make a full-time income selling pills if we excel at the marketing.

The AVERAGE Internet marketer can turn his life around if he just looks in directions other than "how to make money", as you can see here...and here... and here at these other products sold by the same company.

I simply love all the opportunities there are out there! Everything from nutraceuticals to information products.

Aloha,

Jason Cain

Would a list of Private Label Neutriceuticals with Contacts be of help?
 

The low end start-up is usually for 500 bottles of _________ and most have their own labeling division (because that is where MORE money is) and you can get your own personal customized private supplements ready to go.

500 bottles probably around 4-6 bux each at first...that goes WAY down with economies in place.

Now the next big thing in supplements will be for your pets...they are aging too.

Magic pills are still making people fortunes, and some of them even work too!

GJ

PS. Just a thought...how many of you would like to SEE exactly how this process works...perhaps from concept to market? OR maybe, just watch how to contact these companies to get your own product started? OR (since the Internet makes it pretty easy to find the suppliers) How to Market your NEW, improved must have supplement?

ONE hint, most of the direct marketing companies I've worked for like to get their products on the shelves of Wal-Mart et al too!!!

Re: Infomercial man shares handy-dandy secrets... $55 Million Later...
 

I'm already seeing the pet market with nutrients for aging dogs so probably plenty of room to grow might want to niche to other pet groups like show dogs, mini dogs, outdoor dogs, indoor dogs.

But i still think the bigger market sort of speak is the Viagra one. Just niche it to 65 and older, may december unions, young kids that get a lot of action, how about even gay unions I bet no one is tapping that market.

I developed an "arthritic" formula for dogs in 2000. And SEX is a staple.
 

There is always room for the newest pet products...it just has to be carefully researched...and even then, there are TONS of products...

the problem IS, and if you can crack this, you'll be GOLDEN in no time...is how to EFFECTIVELY market it.

I could be wrong, but I don't know of any controls being mailed on PET supplements.

As for Viagra and it's many imitators, I'm reminded of CAR additives and Golf Gizmos...

Let's see...tires give you another 3 MPG, a special gas additive gives you 4 MPG, certain gas another 3, oil substitue, another 4.5, tune up, and so on...and soon, that 18 MPG car is getting 35 miles per gallon...and with golf?

The right ball adds 12 yards, the new carbite insert, diamond grind, perimeter weighted, legal limit COR driver adds another 20...then there is the ONE MOVE any golfer can make to add still another 12...and the right tee adds 8, and soon....every 14 year old girl golfer in the world is knocking their tee shots over 300 yards...OH wait, that's because of the equipment.

Anyhow, SEX sells. More of it, longer of it, dreams of it...the DIET industry isn't fueld by HEALTH reasons (oh a small %) but most of the before and after show...

HOW SEXY you become when you lose the weight with the magic pill of the day...how GREAT you will LOOK, how desirable you'll come.

As for niches, your doctor and his pharmaceutical supplier have that covered.

MANY many controls in the world for viagra like supplements.

GJA

All THREE please!
 

Aloha Gordon,

I would like to see all three of those topics covered...

1. Nutrition supplements from concept to market.
2. A list of reputable companies that are in the business of formulating, labeling and drop-shipping.
3. How to market to Wal-Mart, Target, etc.

There is a lot of competition in the field. I think in order to get traction, a marketer would have to find his niche.

I think Vincent James's 12-month millionaire course was damn good. It covered all the fundamentals of direct marketing within this niche. Although he went to Federal prison, it is obvious he does know his $#!t when it comes to marketing nutraceuticals.

Most people don't know that Joe Polish (famous Dan Kennedy protege in the carpet-cleaning niche) was behind much of the success of EAS and Bill Phillips. He was Bill's marketing consultant.

Aloha,

Jason

PS: I am listening to those guerilla tapes you sent me a couple years ago on the 7 Secrets... good stuff!

My belief about nutritional supplements is that it is the MARKETING that sells...
 

That being said. I'm skeptical about most supplements. Some are even dangerous, like ephedrine. Anyhow, I want to answer Jason's post:

Aloha Gordon,

I would like to see all three of those topics covered...

1. Nutrition supplements from concept to market.

My opinion is MARKET FIRST. Except for one a day type vitamins, all supplements should be targeted. Take "arthritis" type formulas, with glucosmine, chondroitin and perhaps hyaluronate (today, these formulas have mostly 3 ingredients).

OK. There are TONS of supplements for "joint pain", right? But who has the joint pain?

LARGE market: Boomers. Segments: Golfers. Subsegs: Male Golfers in FL.

A full page ROP ad might pull in leads for a pain killer product. An ad in a golf magazine might pull in leads for the golfers. A DIRECT MAIL piece, one that is targeted to Male Golfers in FL...might pull in DOLLARS.

The one advantage YOU may have over the big companies is this very niche specific market, because the big boys have to cover their overhead. But a personal letter, maybe even a greeting card type promotion might work and of the millions of male golfers in FL, getting 500 or so on an Auto-Ship program for their arthritis "pills" can happen very quickly.

Now you have some idea of TARGETED marketing. How do you develop your proprietary formula? Search for "designer" supplements, private label supplements, etc.

A few phone calls or emails today, and you'll find scores of companies ready and willing to build just about anything you want. Maybe you add a very small amount of White Willow (as an example) Bark to the big 3 tested and proven arthritis formulas.

Or just use what the company has "off the shelf"...you'll need a good name for it...Golfer's Joint Ease...or something like that...and for Tennis Players, maybe Tennis Player's Joint Ease...same product, different labels...and you'd have enough lists from SRDS to keep you mailing small targeted lists for the next decade.

That is a way to go about developing a SUPPLEMENT...MARKET first.



2. A list of reputable companies that are in the business of formulating, labeling and drop-shipping.

I think this is readily available with some google searching. Search for "private label supplements" with the quotes and you'll see a place to start.

http://www.supplementsresource.com/d...lementtop.html

is another resource to get anyone started.


3. How to market to Wal-Mart, Target, etc.

Let me start with the How to Market part first.

If I were getting into this, I'd locate niche MARKETS first. Or subsegments of a segment market as with my example of Golfers, Boomers, FL.

There are lots of ways to market. James Vincent talks about the AUTO-Ship program...and this would be the only way to get into this market.

Gary Shawkey used a Network or MLM approach, and this has worked for over 70 years, Nutralite began this way.

You could target a segment of a niche again, Overweight Christians. And you would design your promotions to appeal to this sub segment, that might be reached through a list of Ministers, heads of churches, who "sell" to their congregation...a whole lot of this is going on, a lot of info type products like CD's, audio and now DVD's...

Again, these are examples of how to market...using a niche approach. Many companies and their small fry owners make billions doing this and never bother with the Wal-Mart thing. BUT,

you have to know how things work. Wal-Mart has X amount of shelf space for, say, dietary supplements...a couple of years ago MOST of that space was given to Trim Spa and the Anna Nicole promotion. There has been a surge in Anna Nicole interest...and the shelf space has recently increased at the Wal-Marts I check. And it is a great RESEARCH center for product development too.

The products I've been associated with had very little shelf space, and it was hard to pick them out...so the label and design of the bottle is an important KEY to shelf marketing...walk down the laundry detergent and see how TIDE still jumps off the shelf after all these years.

PACKAGING is a subject all in itself...with colors, eye appeal, product placement, etc.

So to get into a Wal-Mart, you have to know how they work, how they buy, what they are already selling...and most of this info is available at their site for any would be marketer to read.

But, there are local stores, regional chains, super chains, and many different opportunities to get into. Today, there is a Multi-Channel push for products...

An Infomercial. AS SEEN ON TV spaces in retail outlets. Web Sites. Direct Mail. Space Ads. etc.

But having a product on the shelf of Wal-Mart MAY be a good thing, but you'd better be good at the Shelf Level.




There is a lot of competition in the field.

Yes there is, and because it is so PROFITABLE.



I think in order to get traction, a marketer would have to find his niche.

Or have deep pockets. OR to direct market to the segment niches and establish your own identity.

I think Vincent James's 12-month millionaire course was damn good. It covered all the fundamentals of direct marketing within this niche.

Not all the fundamentals, but it was pretty solid in what he did. He did cover a lot of the basics of parts of direct marketing and demonstrated how just about anyone can get into it.

Although he went to Federal prison, it is obvious he does know his $#!t when it comes to marketing nutraceuticals.

Ah. I think most of the survivors know how to push the HOT buttons, not much secret in that. Vincent James brings to mind Paul Monea (M. and A. father and son) of Tae-Bo fame...but also of "The Stimulator" sale...

which sold close to 90 million dollars in the same time that Vincent sold his purported 77 million in supplements. OH, and Paul Monet might be serving his FED term for money laundering. OH BOY, these guys.


Most people don't know that Joe Polish (famous Dan Kennedy protege in the carpet-cleaning niche) was behind much of the success of EAS and Bill Phillips. He was Bill's marketing consultant.

You have a case study right there. We talked about Bill Phillips a few years ago on SowPub, some of us were actually going to DO IT. What a well thought out campaign...

See, it starts something like this:

MARKET. Front End. Lead Generator. Targeted Marketing. AUTO SHIP? Back end? What else?

The BOOK as the front end is about the same strategy we see today with The Secret. DVD, then all kinds of things.

The Book then EAS supplements. Works like a charm.


Aloha,

Aloha back. Ya know Jason, I'm a former student of Hawaiian Folk Lore and know that there are some unexploited products that might have a little HUNA Magic to them...not unlike the Hunza Magic of the NO HUNGER BREAD campaign...still being discussed 3 decades later.

I think you need to take an extended vacation and search the islands for the next great pineapple/coconut/seaweed that grows only off the Maui coast diet/pain killer/anti-aging Nutraceutical. Let me know, I'm ready to write on THAT (after some intensive research of my own HA!)

Jason

PS: I am listening to those guerilla tapes you sent me a couple years ago on the 7 Secrets... good stuff!

Guerrilla INDEED. Was it you that said I sounded like an Ape choking on a bananna? You should have seen the DVD...YIKES!

Re: Infomercial man shares handy-dandy secrets... $55 Million Later...
 

I have watched this guy market for years.
Now he has his daughter doing it as well.
Pure marketing genius.


Billts:D

Re: The point I was trying to make
 

As Gordon pointed out, does everyone shop at Wal-Mart? The answer is "No". So why should they do without, rather than purchase through direct response (catalogs, infomercials, internet)?

Some people don't shop at Wal-Mart because it's too inconvenient. They have no time - they're too busy. It's much quicker to order from a website or by phone, than to spend an hour or two wasting time at Wal-Mart. Not everyone has an hour or two to spare... And some people have more money than time. They'd rather spend their money (even if it's more expensive) than spend extra time.

Also, Wal-Mart may not have the precise type of "herb" or "vitamin" they want. If you want something generic, sure, they may have it - but if you want something more "specialized" they may not have it.

The bottom line is - plenty of businesses make money selling vitamins, minerals, and herbs via direct response methods...

An important lesson is - not everyone thinks like "you" do, or likes what "you" like. This is a lesson from "Business 101". Even if you would never shop anywhere but Wal-Mart, there are millions of other people who never shop at Wal-Mart. Not everyone thinks like "you" do - so just because "you" would not do or buy something, doesn't mean that others won't. (The only way to find out is to "test" - or to see if others are succeeding at it already.) It's a good lesson for business beginners like Mark to learn from.

- Dien

Re: Nutraceuticals... A 12-Month Millionaire...
 

Hey Jason,

You might want to look into kava, grown all through the islands of the South Pacific. It's nowhere near a saturated market and isn't as popular as it could and should be.

Gordon mentioned that you are in Maui?

I've got a source there that I could give you if you'd like.

They don't dropship for anyone at the moment but you might be able to work something out with the guy. He's an entrepreneur who owns a few businesses in Maui and I'm he'd sure would be willing to work out some sort of win/win deal.

Jim

Here's a bigger KICKER
 

Dien is correct about Walmart and personal choices.....

and here is another KICKER...

Walmart is building....and what are they building?....Super Stores!!!

Huge stores with huge parking lots.

Guess what the seniors are aging and as they do they can't park their car (if they can still drive) way out in the parking lot, walk 500 feet, then go into a huge store where they have to walk tremendous distances to get a product (even if it is cheaper), stand patiently in long lines, and then walk that 500 feet back to their car.....physically they just can't accomplish it.....there is a pending market for all kinds of services and products that can be mailed or delivered to these people.

Personally I avoid Walmart like the plague....and even moreso now that they opened a super store 2 months ago here....I believe in, and try to only buy, products made in Canada or the USA....I'll be dam""d if I will support the Chinese or Mexicans if I can help it...unfortunately it is getting harder and harder to do.

Sorry about that last expletitive...just feel very strongly on that issue.

Cornell

I Agree... It is marketing!
 

Aloha Gordon and SowPubbers,

Gordon, that was an awesome post. It really got the juices flowing and the ideas popping into my head.

I loved the products that were put out by Bill Phillips. I started reading his "Muscle Media 2000" magazine back in 1993 and always admired his marketing talents. The magazine was the perfect marketing vehicle for his supplements.

I wished I had kept my copies of the magazine as swipe. I threw them out in December when I loved to Washington.

I like your idea on Hawai'ian products... more thinking to do!

Aloha,

Jason

PS: I take back the "ape choking on a banana" thing. ;)

PPS: Are you still selling that product? Where is the URL if you are?

Kava Is Evil
 

Aloha Jim,

Thanks for your reply!


I worked as a cop in Honolulu for many years -- and the Samoans on my beat used to get $#!t-faced on that stuff. :)

I looked into kava, but the dangers (liver toxicity) are well documented. I can't sell something I don't believe in. I am sure you are the same way.

Right now I am leaning towards creating my own line of nutritional supplements (like protein powders, etc.) targeted at three specific markets.


I am living in Washington State right now. This is where I am going to retire and build my fortress.

My daughter lives in Honolulu with my ex, so I make frequent trips.

Aloha,

Jason

It's a Myth.....
 

Yeah, that will happen if taken in massive amounts. Not much different than the other 99.9% of the world getting $#!t-faced on alcohol. And people don't get as stupid on it as they would with alcohol. Totally different effects.


You should research this a bit more. The Samoans you mentioned? They will never see liver damage from the Kava, nor will any of the users that take it in it's traditional form. (just the ground roots)

When the big pharm companies started seeing the benefits of Kava and started importing it to make medecines, they found it cheaper to import the whole plant and to use the whole plant in their medecines. The leaves and stems and all. People who have used these medecines are the only ones that have ever experienced any liver damage. But even those cases are extremely rare.

There has never been a case of liver damage from Kava when taken in it's traditional form and it's been used for a few thousand years in the islands of the Pacific.

It is, IMO, the most incredible plant on the earth.


Okay, I've got to ask....

What would make someone move from Hawaii to Washington?

I grew up in Washington and after 20+ years there, couldn't wait to get out. Phoenix has been a fun pit-stop but Hawaii is my final destination to retire to and live happily ever after.


I get there as often as I can too. Let me know next time you're there and I'll buy you a cup of Kava or two :-)

Jim

Not Kava... But be Careful what you Buy/Sell & market online!
 

There's always going to be a Great marketplace and Potential for all kinds of Health related Supplement products...

But Apply Caution...

Remember... Money isn't everything... :)

Coroner blames online pills for B.C. woman's death
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...ub=CTVNewsAt11

Phil

Re: Poor Research Is Evil
 

From:http://tinyurl.com/2pcdc4


Another false herbal scare arose over kava kava, the South Pacific Island herb that helps to overcome mild cases of depression. Pharmaceutical companies in Europe were selling kava kava and reported, without adequate substantiation, that there were reports of liver toxicity in less than 100 people and withdrew the herb (a drug in Europe) from distribution in 2002. US sales of kava kava were then about $34 million a year. The American Herbal Products Association was put on the defensive to prove a long-used herbal extract was safe when there were only specious reports of liver toxicity from Europe.

Then the US Food & Drug Administration destroyed US sales of kava kava by issuing a warning of a potential hazard and asked health professionals to report any cases of liver toxicity associated with this herb. (For comparison, the US Poison Control Centers report that acetaminophen (Tylenol) causes 70,000 reported cases of liver toxicity annually which results in 70-100 deaths per year.) Only a handful of adverse reports were submitted to the FDA by US physicians. None panned out to be of concern. But consumers taking kava kava for anxiety and depression were getting more anxious and depressed every time they heard another negative news reports about kava.

Dr. Donald Waller, a toxicologist and professor at the University of Illinois, reviewed the reported cases of liver toxicity associated with the use of kava kava and concluded there was no clear evidence that the liver damage reported in the US and Europe was caused by the consumption of kava. Other researchers also could not find a link between kava and the reported cases of liver toxicity. [Planta Med. 2004 Mar; 70: 193-6] In many of these cases the kava patients were also taking prescription drugs that are known to be toxic to the liver. But the May 2004 issue of Consumer Reports still listed kava among its list of Dangerous Supplements Still at Large. Dr. Marvin Lipman, Consumer Reports chief medical advisor said: Given the weight of the evidence against Kava, we would urge everyone to avoid its use." In March of 2004 Canadian researchers were horrified that health food stores were still recommending kava kava to their customers. [J Gen Intern Med. 2004 Mar; 19: 269-72]

There was no clear evidence that the liver damage reported in the US and Europe was caused by the consumption of kava. --Dr. Donald Waller, toxicologist

Among Hawaiian farmers, sales of kava kava raw material dropped by 87% in just one year. [Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture] Thousands of jobs were wiped out. An efficacious anti-anxiety herb was cast into question, and most consumers didn't suspect that there were competing commercial interests behind this whole fiasco.