The art of sales is never more obvious than in a late-night infomercial. Tell about one infomercial that you have seen and what tactics the salesperson used to get the audience to buy their product. See if you can find a link to it online and post the link with your comment as well. Did watching the salesperson make you want to buy? Do you think you would be able to do the same marketing job as the salesperson? Explain the skills that would be needed to be successful in the Sales & Marketing career cluster.

Answer 1

One infomercial that I have seen is for a popular exercise machine called the "Ab Roller". The salesperson in the infomercial used various tactics to entice the audience to buy the product.

Firstly, the salesperson started by highlighting the common problem of achieving toned abs and how traditional exercises often fail to deliver results. They presented the Ab Roller as a revolutionary solution that would guarantee a slim waistline and perfectly sculpted abs.

To create a sense of urgency, the salesperson introduced a limited-time offer with discounted pricing, along with "bonus" items such as workout DVDs and dietary guides. They emphasized the value for money by comparing the cost of gym memberships and personal trainers to the one-time payment for the Ab Roller.

Throughout the infomercial, the salesperson showcased before and after pictures of individuals who had used the product, claiming remarkable transformations in a short period. They also featured testimonials from satisfied customers, further enhancing credibility and creating a sense of trust.

The salesperson employed persuasive language, using phrases like "act now," "limited stock," and "transform your body" to create a sense of excitement and urgency. They also offered a money-back guarantee to reduce the perceived risk for potential buyers.

While watching the infomercial, I did feel a slight inclination to buy the Ab Roller due to the persuasive tactics used. However, upon reflection, I realized that the salesperson played heavily on the desire for quick fixes and the fear of missing out on a good deal.

As for whether I could do the same marketing job as the salesperson, I believe the skills required would be a deep understanding of consumer psychology, persuasive communication, and the ability to create a compelling narrative around the product. Sales and marketing professionals need strong interpersonal skills to build relationships, target market analysis to identify customer needs, and creativity to develop effective advertising campaigns.

Overall, the salesperson in the Ab Roller infomercial effectively utilized various tactics to convince viewers to purchase the product. However, it's essential to approach such infomercials with a critical mindset and evaluate the product's actual value before making a purchase decision.

Link to the Ab Roller infomercial: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0_VX4UpbNc]