Thursday 28 March 2013

Project Cold: Phase 1: The Marketer

The idea behind Project Cold was to find a way to force myself to interact with people. I'm by no means a socially awkward or anti-social person, but I feel that I could do with a bit more extroversion and comfort with conversing with strangers. But there's that caveat as always, I needed to find a way to monetize this project.

My first attempt was online. I failed miserably and we'll pretend like it never happened. Maybe I didn't have enough practice? However, a friend of mine was looking to hire marketers and I saw this as an opportunity to further my Project Cold in a different prospect.

I guess I basically just got myself a second part-time job.

Maybe I'm less trustworthy online or something?

I'm certain most of you are familiar with student painting companies. And so my job was to head out, knock on doors, find people who were willing to get an estimate of a painting job, and repeat. At first, I was only making commission. I was paid a set amount for every phone number/booking that I succeeded in getting. I needed to quickly learn how to convince people to give me their phone numbers or else I wouldn't make any money at all.

(Un)fortunately my friend had to stop for personal reasons but at least he transferred me to a different manager.

Who then started paying me a flat rate + commission which was a significant boost in wages.


Still, it wasn't easy. Easily half of the houses I visit have no one home. Then, most of people who are home aren't interested, or recently got painting done, or plan on doing it themselves. It's funny because I look at some of these houses and the garage door is literally peeling away. Yes, I'm sure you did a lovely job painting it last summer.

So it's that small fraction of "maybe" interested people I have to work at convincing to go and get an estimate. To put things in perspective, if I get even one booking an hour, my total earnings become over double that of minimum wage. 2 bookings? I'm making over quadruple minimum wage. So you have poor Damian running around, trying to hit up as many houses as possible.

During January and February it was cold, dark and miserable with snow everywhere. I'm jumping over snow piles and sliding on ice. Now in March all that snow is melting and I'm jumping over puddles and slush.

Puddles > Snow piles though.

And how successful have I been at persuading people? Maybe I've just been lucky but I've been consistently making at least double minimum wage. On my best days, I earn over quadruple that of minimum wage. Less than 20 hours work and almost $500 richer for it.

I know it's not much, a second part-time job isn't that amazing but this is way better than my part-time minimum wage fast-food job. Plus, I'm actually talking and interacting with people to the point where I can push them to get what I want. AND I'm getting exercise because I need to get away from my computer to do this. I also set my own hours which is great. I head out when I can and I'm motivated to do so because $$$$.

That is until I find a way to make money playing computer games.

Some of you may have noticed that this is Phase 1 of Project Cold. This is because I may have a way to improve and make things more efficient (i.e. more money, less work). Unfortunately I won't be start doing this until May.

Until then, if you live in Canada and are greeting at the door by a tall, out-of-breath Asian trying to get your number for a free estimate on painting, give him your number. He needs the money.

20 comments:

  1. Sounds like Project Cols is working, hope it continues.

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  2. It sounds like things are going quite well. I'm pleased to hear that. I could never do a marketing job myself though. Door to door people and telemarketers annoy me so I wouldn't want to become and be treated how I treat them. Which I sometimes feel bad for as they're just doing their job.

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  3. Congrats! I need a part time job, too. STAT.

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  4. haha if you come this far east I'll be sure to have the number ready. Good luck with the computer games too, if you find a way to make money off that let me know.

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  5. that actually sounds like a decent gig for a student.

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  6. That is a tough job but you will hold on tight to those lessons your whole life, good for you for getting out there and interacting.

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  7. Hey, I hope it goes well. Setting your own hours is great. Your hard work will pay off, hang in there.

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  8. This is pretty cool mate, glad to hear that you decided to further yourself socially. I'm the same as you, I could do with furthering myself but I'm not a social wreck or anything, at least not too badly. Good work with the job man and best of luck in it, two part time jobs is impressive!

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  9. add me on skype bartbart333

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  10. Well, that doesn't sound bad at all. I mean, setting your own hours plus the exercise plus the ready cash... Too bad I don't live in Canada. I've got a lot of painting to be done. I guess I'll have to do it all by myself.... eventually.

    P.S. 'Talking and interacting with people to the point where I can push them to get what I want..' Why do you think I'm a teacher?

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  11. hey hard work pays off! i'm sure you've learnt more than you what you think you have.

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  12. I hope that goes well for you. As a single woman, don't even open the door to a stranger, so I'd probably be one of the ones that wasted your time. But at least you wouldn't have to walk through much snow here!

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  13. Woah, that's pretty sweet. Call yourself persuasive because I barely know people who'd be willing to give their numbers out for a paint job.

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  14. 2nd part time job, over minimum wage, job tht depends on social skills, and you say "I know it's not much", talk about modesty!

    also your comment on the rifle left me laughing sooo much XD the rifle society im in was advertising the cupcakes to member :p

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  15. Nice one, but, keep your eyes open!

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  16. You're doing great! I don't guess I'll be seeing you in Texas :(

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  17. Well done you!! And $500 is $500 more than $0! Yay!!

    I am useless at meeting strangers! I watch my work colleague who is EXCELLENT at breaking the ice and doing small talk and it comes so easily to her. So you will have this situation where the majority of people drift towards her. It used to bother me when I was younger but now in my old age, I've come to accept this is just how I am! Like it or lump it! LOL! Take care
    x

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  18. Good luck with your latest endeavor! Sounds like you're a pro already~

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  19. it's good that you are being productive

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  20. At least you get to set your own hours I wouldn't mind $500 for 20 hours of work. I hope it all works out for you :>

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