(Alternate title "If at first you don't succeed . . . try, try again!)
For any of you that follow me on social media, I'm sure by now you've seen the series of photos I posted this weekend about a cookie project I came up with as a way to market myself and my new business - in the form of favors at my friends' party last night. Here is a little bit of the back story . . .
- Last month I got an invitation to a party from a really lovely woman who I've known for years (our kids played basketball together I think?), but who I haven't SEEN in years, and who I wouldn't necessarily consider a close friend.
- I initially replied as a "maybe" (sometimes I'm not sure I want to socialize with a bunch of Mom's from my old neighborhood - I know that sounds bad . . . but there's a reason I don't live on the hill any more!) After I got laid off from my job, I switched it to a solid YES. I knew it might be a chance to meet some new people and get my business info out there!
- Then I had an idea that maybe I could bring cookies as a party favor and include my business card . . . I was on a roll!
So that is how this whole thing started. The party was originally planned for February 5th, but got re-scheduled to last night which was very fortunate because my first plan was a total FAIL.
"Marketing With Cookies v1.0" was based on something I saw on Instagram - an amazing ceramicist named Demetria Chappo from Brooklyn, NY makes these little dishes called "Spirit Eyes", they are so beautiful!
Shortly after seeing these I had a brilliant idea . . . I decided that I wanted to make cookies in the shape of an Eye (based on the above), and I would package them with a tag that said "What's Your Vision?" Gosh I felt so clever! I powered through using a fantastic recipe for chocolate almond cookies from my Mom, and this is how they turned out:
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Yep - those are some ugly (albeit super yummy) cookies. And I'm sharing with you because after being deterred for a few days, I went back to square 1 and brainstormed some more. Could I find an Eye cookie cutter? How about some kind of Stamp? Could I make my own? Hmmmm. Eventually a search at Sur La Table resulted in finding this cookie cutter word set from Chicago Metallic. GENIUS.
The set comes with some pre-made phrases (Happy Birthday, Congrats, I Love You, etc.), but also has three full sets of Alphabet letters, plus some additional E's and other popular letters. I could make my OWN messages - YES!
At this point because I'm on a budget, I thought it might be a good idea to actually ask my friend if it would be OK if I brought party favors to her party. (Details people!) Thankfully she said YES and I found a recipe for sugar cookies and went to town . . .
Before they went in the oven I was still skeptical that the words wouldn't somehow melt together while baking . . .
But they turned out GREAT! Well, great looking - sadly they were not very tasty.
I packaged them up with a business card attached, and took them to the party where they were well received by the lovely women who were there. Cookies for the WIN! (Well sort of, as I mentioned they didn't taste very good - oops!).
So . . . there will definitely be a version 3.0 of the Cookie Trials, and I'm excited to try different recipes (shortbread, ginger, chocolate!) and to really perfect this goal because I think it's fun, creative and memorable - all things that I think describe ME! And when I feel good about my marketing efforts (as opposed to doing sales-y things that don't feel in line with who I am), I think I have a better chance of attracting my ideal clients. YES!
Happy Weekend!
xo eileen
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