Vendor Writing: Norma B.

Take Time To Educate Potential Customers

BY NORMA B, CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

When I’m out selling the paper I’m often asked what I’m doing. When given the opportunity I’m more than happy to explain to anyone who’ll listen the purpose of the paper and the good it does for the community as well as the vendors who sell it.

Here are just a few instances where I was able to do just that and how it turned out.

Maybe you too can take time to educate those you come in contact with about how The Contributor helps YOU personally and help eliminate many of the inaccurate preconceived notions and stereotypes that people have concerning the paper and its vendors, helping them to see the paper and those who sell it in a whole new light.

First up is Jules, a guest from the hotel (a freelance writer based in LA but originally from Boston, Mass., who stopped to ask if The Contributor was similar to Spare Change , a street paper in Boston, that she was familiar with.

I confirmed that it was indeed part of the International Network of Street Papers in turn, she gave me her spare change for a copy of the paper. She later returned to tell me I was a good writer and to buy additional copies of the paper!

Rashad, another pedestrian walking by, was curious about what I was doing. After a brief explanation he reluctantly took a paper, but during that short visit I realized we had something else in common: a love of music. How do I know? Alicia Keys was playing on HIS radio and he was wearing a Tupac T-shirt with a Nirvana hat. How’s that for a trio?

There’s also the older couple who was just in the area checking on their rental property. They too were hesitant to take the paper saying they didn’t live around here, but admitted they’d always wondered what it was all about. I encouraged them to take it saying “Try it, you might like it.”

Julie from Cookeville paid me a visit on her way to Mt. Juliet for a work related meeting, and asked if she could help me in any way. Like the others mentioned here, she wasn’t familiar with The Contributor ’s mission or purpose. I’m happy to report she is now!

Jamal first saw me when he was headed out of town. When he got back he stopped to see exactly what I was doing. I explained the purpose of the paper and he gave me a nice tip, which was much appreciated since I was working to buy the new paper the following day. I guess he liked what he read because he later returned to get the next one too!

Beverly, a new resident from Pennsylvania, also stopped to ask what I was doing and make sure I was OK. How sweet! Once again, I explained about the paper. I even comped her the current issue and told her to let me know what she thought about it. I’ll have to wait and see how that turns out.

Jason, visiting from Missouri, came to Nashville to attend an event at the Global Outreach Church. To celebrate the new yearhe bought a paper and a copy of Ridley Wills II's book — good reading for the plane ride home. He left the next day. I hope he found what he was looking for in his short time here, and maybe a little something extra.

As you can see, taking the time to educate people about the paper and its purpose can not only lead to increased sales, but it can also lead to a greater understanding as those people share the information with others they know.