Billy Mays died Sunday at the age of 50. While I seriously doubt television networks, even those dedicated to selling such as QVC or HSN, will run a tribute to the ultimate “pitch man.” Most likely, he won't even receive even a hundredth of the fanfare the passing of Michael Jackson, also 50, has received, however, Billy's presence will still be greatly missed. Television will be void of his charismatic personality, his booming voice and the infamous infomercial catch phrase, “But, wait...”
As someone who grew up in a family of sales professionals, I always saw Billy as someone I could learn from. And, while neither my present, or my future, is likely to include becoming a TV personality or front-man (woman), I understand that as long as I'm in business, I'm in sales.
Just recently, a new-to-market entrepreneur asked me if I thought someone would enjoy selling his product. I immediately felt the weight of the question. What good is a good product if you can't sell it or find the right person to sell it? Billy Mays knew how to do just that and he did so with passion, and integrity. He may be gone, but wait...we can still study his technique and learn from his example.
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