Pitchmen, a new show on the Discovery Channel puts inventors, entrepreneurs and seasoned Pitchmen professionals together to bring new products to market.

The recent episodes I have seen (episodes are not online) had products that were on Tools, Fitness, Cosmetics and Home & Garden. A few recent products are the  Tool Bandit, Grabit, Spin Gym, and  Heel Stick.

The typical show format is an introduction to four new concepts in a very short pitch, two of which will become the focus of the show.  The team will then push the product towards market.  Every product is different, is in a different stage and therefore needs different things including advertising / trade show/ investment & partnership presentation.  Billy and Sully often do sidewalk or environmental test markets.

What Else you get behind the Scenes

ABCs of Pitching

While doing demo hand movements can attract attention – good but shouldn’t cover up the demonstration – Bad

Story of the invention big. 50% of selling is the product, the other 50% is getting customers to buy the person / story. Going against big competition: Oxy Clean, Tide – stain pen.

Idea evaluations

Product concerns

Price Setting

Attractive Appearance

Easy to Use

Branding / Naming / Trademarks