Back to Episodes
#262September 22, 20211:07:01

#221 - How to Make Millions With a Modern Day Infomercial

About This Episode

Sam and Shaan discuss the 'trust as a service' business model used by companies like Examine.com, Consumer Reports, and UpToDate. They explore the careers of serial entrepreneurs like Matt Mickiewicz and break down how the Guthy-Ranker infomercial blueprint can be used to build billion-dollar brands today.

Episode Description

In this episode Shaan (@ShaanVP) and Sam (@theSamParr) break down a 30-year-old infomercial and they discuss the modern day approach that can make you millions. They also talk about businesses built around trust, professional certifications, and what investors Shaan would call first if he was raising. You'll also meet a serial entrepreneur who is this weeks' Internet Founder of the Week. --------- * Want to be featured in a future episode? Drop your question/comment/criticism/love here: https://www.mfmpod.com/p/hotline/ * Support the pod by spreading the word, become a referrer here: https://refer.fm/million * Have you joined our private Facebook group yet? Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion and join thousands of other entrepreneurs and founders scheming up ideas. ---------

Show Notes

  • * (0:57) Meet a future guest
  • * (4:34) Building a business around trust
  • * (9:17) The problem with content businesses
  • * (12:25) Subscription opportunities for content based businesses
  • * (18:30) Trust as a service businesses
  • * (23:01) Someone got a little blue checkmark
  • * (25:16) The health department score is BS
  • * (28:34) Klout reimagined
  • * (32:14) Thoughts on professional certifications
  • * (34:24) Meet Matt Mickiewicz
  • * (42:12) Guthy-Renker - direct marketing masters
  • * (53:07) The modern day infomercial
  • * (59:19) The first five investors Shaan would call

Key Takeaways

1

Build a 'trust as a service' platform by aggregating and simplifying clinical trials or complex data into actionable guides for high-stakes consumer niches.

2

New media companies should adopt a subscription-first model to ensure high-quality content and avoid the pitfalls of traditional ad-supported traffic models.

3

Study the 'infomercial blueprint' which involves building high anticipation, using credible testimonials, and offering a tactical 'hard sell' for digital products and supplements.

Business Ideas Mentioned

Trust Based Skincare Analysis Platform

Content & Media

Safety Compliance Seal for Restaurants

Boring Business

Social Media Influence and Engagement Ranking

Creator Tools

Clinical Research Database for Physical Therapy

Content & Media

View all ideas

Guest Graveyard Mentions

AH

Ariel Helwani

MM

Matt Mickiewicz

View guest graveyard

Featuring

Hosts

SP

Sam Parr

Host

SP

Shaan Puri

Host

Share Episode

Quick Stats

Duration1:07:01
Guests0
Ideas Discussed4
Topics0