I know I have some Homemade Millionaire (no new HM news) and Shark Tank etc. contestants check in from time to time. I came across this in the news last night, it looks so fun! I needed to share it with my inventor friends. Before doing this, I would protect my idea, but who couldn’t use a little pitching practice and maybe a little bump in cash. Check out this site www.5×5night.com and if you decide to come on over to Grand Rapids, Michigan give me a shout out, maybe we could throw back some wine to toast to your success☺.

Mommy Millionaire, Kim Lavine is having her HOME opener tonight; this event is an invitation only event. Kim is a dynamic business woman that is trying to get a million businesses going. She has raised big money and is looking to help you do the same, check her out
http://www.amillionnewbusinesses.com I am wishing them the best of luck on both of these ventures—Looks like Michigan is done with the depression and is moving toward a Renaissance state. Rock on!

 
Was watching Fox17 this morning and when I saw this clip of this incredilby cute labradoodle, Deacon that is a therapy dog AND will be perfoming in Annie at the Hudsonville Highschool …well please peeps I just featured West Michigan Therapy dogs in the previous post. Hey Disney, check this dog out! Go visit Deacon on stage, at Barnes and Noble, or check him out in the calendar.

On the product development front; no new HM news.

Hey American Idol, Homemade Millionaire, The Bachelor, Shark Tank, Amazing Race, Biggest Loser, OWN, etc. — after trying out for 2 reality shows there are 4 things I would like the TV producers and crew to know to make it better for them.

1) Every Breath You Take…..we’ll be watching you. Creepy yeah…but we are looking for any clue on how we are doing, what we should be doing….etc. We are trying to listen to every word you say to intended for us or otherwise.

2) COMMUNICATION–When contestants go out of their comfort zone, we all feel very vulnerable. Vulnerability can quickly turn to hostility when we feel ignored. What a very difficult job the producers and assistants have, trying to deal with all the emotions of the contestants. We need a central website, or information hub that we can see what’s going on with the show. You have an instant audience/fan base. Maybe give us a “contestant only” special password that will let us in on some “insider” information about when or where the show will be on. Maybe the contestants could be a voting panel. IF you keep us informed and interested you will have absolute instant fans. These are fans that your company already invested time and money on. Fan interaction is really powerful; see American Idol, Dancing with the Stars etc. I got people to watch the show I wasn’t even on, I said hey check out this show I tried out for…just think if every contestant did that to just a few people they know…

3) Give out the tweet # the same time you do the website. People will talk about your show, good, bad but in reality it’s all good. Shows are much more dynamic when people feel like they are participating.

4) Merch? Trying out for a show is an adventure in itself. I swear you could sell merchandise…”I tanked the Shark Tank…” “Hope to be bitten by a Shark” “Pitched a half-baked idea on Homemade Millionaire” “I tried” You could give out certificates of tryouts with the website and twitter #. I would’ve paid for a t-shirt, coffee mug, and certificate. PR, PR, PR

1) Be there early. If they say audition is at 9: be there at 7:00
2) Practice your pitch OUT LOUD in front of people before you go to the audition. Don’t make it a burden to listen to you.
3) Network with the people at the audition. Not in some smarmy way, but in a genuine information exchange way. Some of these people will become your friends. Bring business cards!
4) Have Fun Homemade Millionaire season 1 (six episodes) 18 inventors got some pretty great PR and only 6 lucky FRIENDS got the big Kahuna! WOW that some pretty slim odds, have fun with it.
5) TV is a different product. IF you are a control freak, you may not want to try out for a show.
6)LEAVE. You can talk to the other hopefuls, but if you didn’t get a golden ticket, call back, wink or whatever. DO NOT CRY, POUT WHINE or BEG. ” Be proud that you did what you came to do; TRY OUT. You pitched. EVERYONE thinks their stuff is “the shit.” You networked, made friends and you have somewhere else to go, like another tryout, a meeting with investors, a new prototype maker, a mixer with other business people, a presser, a meeting with a manufacturer, or a lunch date. You have other opportunities to seize, and maybe they can catch you if they can…..best of luck! Hey contestants add your tips in the comment section. Include where/what you tried out for current product, blog, website.
Coming soon… “Tips for TV Producers” ☺…. The latest tryout I heard about was on Oprah’s new network, www.oprah.com/own/casting_calls.html and Everyday Edison at www.Everdayedison.com. Check out www.productx1.blogspot.com and at www.welladjustedorsotheysay.blogspot.com/ for more great conversations. Be sure to read all of the fine print and have a lawyer go over any contracts.

Karen with Design-a-Dish won. Her plates and quick design rings will be featured on HSN on the 27th. You can go to HSN.com search Homemade Millionaire and order them now. The plates look gorgeous, as does Karen. I think Wendy did a good job of coaching the story our of this shy reluctant inventor. By the time she pitched to the executives at HSN she was a different business woman. Brynn was a very good pitcher, her tag line of just “press and go” was really easy to digest and she looked great as a spokesperson. Lay down Stay down beach blanket was an interesting and practical idea. Living in Michigan beach is a way of life so I won’t be surprised to see this type of product out there at the lakeshore.