A writer friend forwarded this along and asked if I’d ever tried the time-honored PR tactic of inflating a green couch, giving out free cookies, and making friends in Union Square. The short answer is no – no, I have not.
I do appreciate his total commitment to the free cookies theme; he’s created a Twitter feed and a Facebook page for the promotion. The odd thing – well, the oddest thing – is that he doesn’t provide a link to listen to his music in this e mail. He’s “not pushing music on anyone with [his] free cookies.” Does he want to sell his music, make new friends, or make strangers fat? Does he think fat new friends are The Way to selling records/concerts?
Most importantly, do you care what the music sounds like enough to Google him?
From: Free Cookies Nyc
Date: Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Subject: I give out FREE COOKIES on a green inflatable couch to make friends.
To:Hello,
I have been going out a couple times a week, inflating a green couch, giving out FREE COOKIES, and making friends.
I’ll be out today (Thursday) in Union Square around 4:00-6:00pm.
People have been following me on twitter: Twitter.com/FreeCookiesNyc
. . . And becoming fans of “free cookies” on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/FREE-COOKIES/246454920363?ref=nf
And a few people have started writing about me:
http://citysnapshots.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/faceshot-scott-alexander/
http://segullah.org/daily-special/the-business-of-making-friends/#comments
I’m an independent musician in Brooklyn. I’m not pushing music on anyone with my free cookies. It’s sort of a reverse promotional experiment. I’m getting to know others instead of trying to throw myself at them. Also, I like making friends, and I like attention. So I hope you’ll consider writing about me.
If you do not wish to get any more emails from me (which will not send very often). Please just let me know.
Thanks,
Scott Alexander
WOW! I hope you’re planning to go and check this out. I do not care enough about what the music sounds like to google him, but I do care enough to see what this looks like to have forwarded your blog post to a friend who works off Union Square, in hopes that she’ll be able to at least snap a pic and send it to me later this evening.
I caved: http://www.myspace.com/scottalexander
I feel like cookies is one of those things that some people find whimsical, so they think it’s harmless or joyful or something. Probably goes over really well with kids, but not so much their parents.
I think it’s a creative way to go. I imagine, too, that a great lute player could certainly spark my interest in a bakery for, say, macaroons.
I love the fact that I’m actually finding stuff out about me when i google myself.
Really, I want to make friends. Lots of friends. I don’t expect to be particularly intimate with everyone I share my cookies with, but at the very least its a few steps closer than myspace. And I HAVE in fact started deeper friendships with this. A few people I met via cookies actually came to my wedding!
I’m not trying to be mysterious about the music either. Of course I am hopeful that having more friends will be useful in nurturing my musical ambitions. But i also think that keeping this separate from the music is vital. I don’t tend to like music when people shove a cd or poster in my face. I don’t make friends with people who are only concerned with what they can get out of me either.
I am very self conscious as an artist, but also as an individual. This whole cookie thing has been the most effective thing I’ve been able to come up with so far that allows me to focus on meeting other people, rather than telling other people how awesome I am.
But i am indeed awesome and I’d love to meet you. YOu can find me on twitter or facebook, or on the street. I also have a new 24 hour hotline that you can leave me a message through. 347-829- 4 YUM