Going Guerrilla - think low cost strategy, unconventional means, used in a small (localized) way that draws attention to a product, service or story. The term comes from guerrilla warfare (a way of fighting with tactics that surprised the enemy).
"Hey guys, can I read something to you? I want you to tell me if you like it or not. It's about the neighborhood," I live two blocks from the North Las Vegas city hall. Friday I decided to go there and read the blog to anyone who was willing to listen - "What is it that you want to read us," the receptionist and the building security guard were standing and setting in the main lobby of city hall respectively. Neither looked busy so I approached them about it -- "It will take just a few minutes of your time," I tell them in a reassuring tone. I immediately start reading a condensed version of a favorite post.
"I had to wipe tears from my eyes," the receptionist tells me after finishing, "I have seen the scenario you described a thousand times," she adds. I go on to tell them how I have been writing a reality blog about the neighborhood and how I am sharing it with anyone who will listen - "You captured it extremely well," she concludes.
I leave city hall and walk across the street to the library. I come across three women setting on a bench smoking cigarettes. I ask if it would be alright for me to borrow three minutes of their time and share a story. They give me a what the hell look, so before they can change their minds...I start in. After finishing I look up and ask their thoughts - "That was an awesome story," one says, the second lady says, "Really cool dude. I liked it a lot," I then ask the third for her thoughts - she flashes a thumbs up. I thank them for the time and continue down the road.
I walk into a cellular phone store and ask a kid working there about a new phone...he does his best to explain. I then say - "Dude, do you live around the neighborhood?" -- he proceeds to tell me he was born and raised three blocks from the store. I ask if I can read a post to him...he shrugs his shoulders and says -"Sure." -- After finishing I ask if he enjoyed the story- "Enjoy it, dude, I fucking loved it! That story was a thousand times better than the reality shit you see on television. It was real. I see homeless people all the time and you...uh, uh...I don't know what the word is, but that was really good!" I ask if the word he was looking for is humanize...I humanize things well. He nods in agreement and says - "That is the exact word I am looking for! Dude I will check your blog out for sure."
Last Friday I read the blog to twenty or so different people in the neighborhood. All of them enjoyed it thoroughly. I say this with all sincerity. My writing is my meal ticket! I haven't made a dime from it yet. But I haven't been aggressive with it either. I chatted with a friend from Kansas last week and he made a comment that I feel one day will prove prophetic -- "I read your blog and enjoy it immensely. You lead a life that is so far different from mine. And you do an immaculate job of describing it - I watch a few reality shows like Duck Dynasty and a couple of others, but they suck nowadays. It's guys like you - who can tell a story like you - who will eventually make their way into the main stream.
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