I walked by a band playing on the street on the way home from the office (a bit rarer for the East Village than some other neighborhoods). They had someone handing out fliers to the crowd to promote The Globesity Festival. As I listened to their music, I had no reason not to accept a flier and read it.

Of course, I always walk past the people who stand still and snap fliers in my face.

A couple lessons here:

1. You have to do something worth my while to create a moral obligation to “repay” you by accepting your advertising. In this case, playing music.

2. You have to come to me. I’m not going to stop just to read your flier. But if I’m stopping anyway, I don’t mind a little reading.

3. Entertain me. By their nature, bands are usually good with showmanship. Learn from them. A homeless guy once asked me for change by betting a dollar that he could make me laugh. He won.

(I know I just plugged an anti-consumerism festival. This is why.)

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe. Thanks for visiting!

Related Articles