Lessons from Billy Mays

Here is his son’s twitter announcing it.  And a twitpic of him the night before, celebrating a good Conan appearence with his family.

So I got to thinking….isn’t it weird that a commercial salesman’s death is even a news event, much less a really big deal like this one is?

Well, there are reasons why the world loved Billy Mays….and these are the same reasons he was so successful:

Smile: No one wants to be around a downer.  Billy always seemed to be happy.  Smiles are contagous and people want to be around (or watch) people that make them smile.

Sell: Billy was trying to sell you a product, and you knew it.  Nothing shady, just telling the story of the product in his hand.  People don’t mind being sold to…in fact, we insist on it.  Just don’t try to hide it as something it’s not.

Passion: When someone is passionate about what they do, it shows.  More importantly, it makes people want to support them.  Billy wasn’t on this commercial because his film career had slowed.  He was on it because he WANTED TO BE.  It’s impossible to fake passion in the long-run, so you better figure out what you’re passionate about and do that!

Honesty/Integrity: Look, I’m sure not everything Billy sold was the greatest product ever (I mean come on, it was probably $19.95!).  But what we learned recently is that Billy Mays personally tested and screened every product he pitched in order to make sure it worked.  He was going to sell the benefits of the product and he needed to know that they were real.   That’s how you stay passionate (sellouts end up hating themselves) and that’s how you create a brand that people care about.   THAT is why he lead with “Billy Mays here for ____”…. because his name on it meant it was a real product.

And most importantly….

Define yourself: Billy Mays was in an industry that would probably be referred to as “shady” 10-15 years ago.  Some may even call it that today.  But Billy was an exception.  He was the best.  In fact, Billy Mays helped redefine the industry itself.

When you find something you are passionate about, it’s natural to smile.  It’s natural to sell.  It’s natural to commit yourself to becoming the best with integrity.

No industry is too soiled for you to define yourself in it with class.  No niche is too small for you to dominate and expand it.

RIP, Billy Mays.  Our living rooms will miss you.