A Not-So-Happy Monday

Wish I could say I’m having one of my usual Super Happy Monday’s.

I’m not. I’m pretty bummed out.

In case you haven’t heard Pitchman Billy Mays, from Oxyclean fame and the new hit show ‘Pitchmen’, passed away over the weekend.I didn’t even know about it. Actually my brother Paul knows I’m a big Billy Mays fan sent me a text while Charlene and I were out at the pool this weekend. Man, this stinks.If you’re a fan of Billy Mays, you know what an incredible person and business mind he was.Why is Pitchman Billy Mays one of my personal heroes?(And what can you learn from him as a real estate investor about marketing and about life?)Yes – Billy is the Oxyclean guy.

Yes – Billy is also the Orange Glo Polish guy (I think that’s the product name)

And Yes – Billy is a sales showman, probably one of the best.On his new show, Billy and his partner would invite regular average Joe inventors from around the country to come show him their product.If Billy loved the product, he would create a show and try to sell it for them.

Lesson One From Billy’s Life: Sure, he was a Pitchman and he wanted to sell a products and make deals.But Billy would only go into his full hardcore pitch-mode when he fully believed in what he was selling.I think these days due to so many “character-less” sales guys who have no ethics, the very terms “sales” gets a bad name. And this couldn’t be truer than in real estate.However, when you really believe in the deal, offer or opportunity you have, there’s nothing wrong with “selling” it. In fact, it’s necessary!That was one of the things that inspired me so much about Billy’s show.There were these guys who spent their whole life savings building an amazing product, but it was just sitting on the shelf collecting dust. (In the same way so many investors have great properties and deals just sitting around. Without marketing, nothing happens. You’ll never make a deal. And never make the profits you deserve.)

These guys would meet Billy and IF there product was worthy, IF there invention could really help and benefit people, Billy would “pitch it” on TV for them and in less than 30 days their lives and the lives for their families were forever changed.

I’ve suffered the pains of watching my own father go through the process of learning the importance of marketing the hard way.Dad is a dentist in New York, and he’s one of the “absolute best”. Is that my opinion?No, it’s a fact! Dad’s patients say it all the time. They bake him cakes. Little old ladies give him kisses.His dentistry is top notch. His integrity, unparalleled. And Dad cares for his patients like family!BUT – Dad is not a marketer.And so he’s had to watch as men with less talent, less ability and little to no integrity make the big bucks while he’s broke his back to keep a healthy practice.This why I’m so passionate about what we do with investors because I completely know and believe that when you market properly all the doors to making money and having the business of your dreams become possible.And it’s something you need to understand and get now, rather than my Dad who is only realizing this lesson late in the game.Speaking of family, back to Billy Mays.This is one thing I’ll always remember about him.On a recent episode of his show, Billy’s wife was telling stories about how Billy used to go on the road for weeks at a time as a pitch-man in order to be able to provide a good life for his family.As his wife was remembering his sacrifice, this big, burly, bearded man started to weep.Tears ran down his rough cheeks listening to his wife recall the sacrifice he had to make for the ones he loved.This IS the life of a business entrepreneur.

And it is NOT always easy.The hardest and most painful things you’ll ever have to do have NOTHING to do with how-to make money or deals, they will have to do with the personal sacrifice you are willing to undertake in overcoming your fears, facing the giants and pressing on when everything inside of you wants to quit.The last show I watched with Billy, you could see the incredible love he had for his family. He was encouraging his son, Billy Jr., who was directing his very first own informercial.As Billy encouraged and supervised his son, you got to see him do what all of us want to do…to pour something valuable and worthwhile into our children and leaving a lasting impact on the ones we love.Thinking about the loss his son must feel I think is what makes me saddest of all.Life is short. And often ends too soon, my friends.Run after your dreams and never give up on them. Never!

Live with integrity and honor the ones you love.Leave a legacy like Billy Mays.

Best,

damian

PS – I’ll have something special to remember Pitchman Billy Mays this week on Free Stuff Friday’s.Also, next week in the Virtual Deal Factory on Tuesday, I’llbe doing a show commemorating Billy Mays. So be sure to tune in.

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