Killing two birds with one stone IDEA!

[xcalybur]

I think we all agree that the two problems that we have today in the Ron Paul campaign that we can effect are money and name recognition. The MSM coverage is harder to crack and I think will naturally come with the money and name recognition.

In order to further along these two goals I have one solution that I stole from great ideas of other people.

First if anyone has seen www.topsecretrock.com you know that the site works extremely well and has a very large turnover percentage. Humans are naturally curious. We also know that Ron Paul's natural turnover is very large compared to almost every other candidate since, well, since I can remember. When people truely hear Ron Paul's message, the majority of them agree and will become supporters.

So, here is my idea. Let's activate the meetup groups. If all the meetup groups are willing to do a topsecretrock.com idea and spread that through their own home town we can reach a LOT of people very quickly.

The topsecretrock.com idea:

Requires a plastic zip top baggie, a painted rock, and a printed message.
The meetups can get together and paint TONS of stones half blue and half red.
Take the dried painted stones and put them in the baggie with the printed piece of paper that says "You have discovered a very special rock. This rock can be either red, blue, yellow, green, white, or orange. Go to http://www.topsecretrock.com/ to find out what your rock means. It could be the most important thing you have ever done. If you don't please pass this on to a friend or neighbor."

Then the meetup groups will distribute these to homes, apartments, subdivisions all throughout the country.

I'll setup the website before hand and have an intro to Ron Paul similar to www.ronpaulintro.com and hit them up for a small donation at the end of it. Pulling at their heart strings and redirecting them to ronpaul2008.com/donate.

Now, I need help. I need this idea critiqued and polished. Here are the numbers I am hoping to get to.

Meetup groups members 50,000. Maybe we can get 10% to do this. Hopefully more. If each of those 5,000 members can distribute 1000 rocks to different neighborhoods throughout their home cities or cities nearby that they know don't have a meetup, that would put us at about 5,000,000 houses. If we get the minimum turnover rate that topsecretrock.com gets at 20% of those people going to the website and 50% of those liking what they hear and 50% of those will be willing to donate an average of $20. That would put us at: $5,000,000 raised and a reach of 5,000,000 people.

If this is a great idea, please sticky this so that we can collaborate on this. I am open to suggestions, edits, ideas, you name it.

If this takes off, I will need some help with the editing of the website content to maximize the heart string pulling.

[McDermit]

back again?

[xcalybur]

I wanted to add that I know we are all strapped for cash and it will be very hard for the existing support base to pull $12mill in 3 months. I'm not saying that we can't do it, but with my idea above, we would get a HUGE infusion of new people to Ron Paul and hopefully money to help us.

[StumbleBum7]

seems wierd... but could work

[xcalybur]

What do you mean McDermit?

[eloquensanity]

back again?

LOL apparently rocks are popular

[xcalybur]

Honestly, I don't care what the item is. Rocks are cheap.

[McDermit]

LOL apparently rocks are popular

It's the same site... different poster.




:confused:

[xcalybur]

I understand that someone else had the idea. Honestly, I haven't picked the domain name yet. I wouldn't mind working with the existing person who did topsecretrock.com. I was just expanding the idea and making the website a little more professional. I don't know the person that does topsecretrock.com

[McDermit]

Have you read through the other threads regarding the idea?

Personally, I think it's a waste of resources. Why not stick a slimjim or a mosaic ad, or a few of RP's articles in a bag with a rock, and toss THOSE in driveways? Skip the website entirely. Give people the information in a format where they are guaranteed to be able to access it. (As opposed to a site when a good portion of voters still aren't online yet.)

[Hope]

If you want to kill two birds with one stone, then give them the information up front instead of trying to trick them into finding out about Ron Paul. You can't get around the fact that throwing these bags with rocks in them is littering on private property. Not to mention, Ron Paul =/= colored rocks. If by some chance they DO visit the website, they'll think, "What the hell does Ron Paul have to do with rocks? Why did they trick/spam/scam me into going to this website instead of sending out a nice flyer like that Mitt Romney guy?" Once people realize that they've been had, they won't spend more than five or ten seconds on the site...and they'll associate the feeling of being deceived with Ron Paul's name. Finally, this idea is dangerous for home owners. What if a little kid finds the bag, unbenknownst to their parents, and ends up suffocating from it? What if criminals use the bags left in yards as a way to determine who is home and who is on vacation? What if someone copycats the idea of rocks using almost the same language but instead sends people to porn sites or something else that is highly controversial? What if someone's car gets a dent or window crack and even though it wasn't the person distributing the rocks who did it, they are assumed as the guilty suspect because of the rocks and they go to the paper with it?

Marketing research has shown the this bait-and-switch method isn't effective. And there are too many ways for this to go wrong and sully Ron Paul's name. Not trying to shoot you down, just pointing out that this may not be the best way to spread Ron Paul's message.

[Nefertiti]

Or what if the little kid finds the bag and EATS the rock? I had thought of some of these dangers before but you really demonstrated why this is simply a really bad idea.

[Keith]

Even if this plan has flaws I like the fact that you are thinking outside of the box.

[ronpaulfan]

I personally think if we're going to have the meetup groups go door-to-door with these rocks, it would make more sense for them to just knock, introduce themselves, talk about Ron Paul and leave a slimjim (and show a short video if they have a laptop)

[constituent]

I personally think if we're going to have the meetup groups go door-to-door with these rocks, it would make more sense for them to just knock, introduce themselves, talk about Ron Paul and leave a slimjim (and show a short video if they have a laptop)

second that. and when you're dealing w/ large amounts of people the chances of someone out there happening to decide that today is a "gunna be a dumbass" day, is through the roof. for the sake of nicety, i'll explain this as a paranoia trip:

some romney guiliani paid volunteer (or NYPD paid spy, wal-mart... who knows? (www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/08/23/police-montebello.html)) goes out with the ron paul meetup group he/she joined and decides that they're hot and tired and rather than walk-up to the porches and place the bags, they'll just "pitch" them onto the porch.... and through a couple windows, in a couple yards, at a couple people they "didn't see" sitting on the porch.... blah, blah, blah.


see where i'm coming from?

the idea is great and certainly catchy when you consider it on a local level... but the numbers involved in a national effort of this sort just cause problems when you look at it as "numbers," statistics you see?

great local idea. mayoral candidates, state reps., ballot initiatives... perfect idea.

edit:: to take it a step further, on the rock you could paint an address, and coordinate your
distribution effort, with the introduction of a new billboard. You could put on the billboard
something like "Who is..." and a website address. Put a counter on the site so people can
see that they were # of X who've taken part in the scavenger hunt.

edit, edit:: on the billboard, "What is...[some crazy issue specific vocabulary word]" with the
website address. Have the front page explain what it is and why it relates to the viewer's
life, and why your candidate's position is the best. good art and all that to keep it interesting.
put some thought into making it fun.

[speciallyblend]

back again?

Dont harp it until you try it.

I'm a person that has handed out 1000's of flyer. The idea will work and has the lowest marketing cost to get Ron Paul's name out there

Dont attack the idea,unless you go try it first.

[Ozwest]

Remember pet rocks? Give it a go. See what happens.

[ACJohn]

Make the rocks little grave stones with Civil Liberties carved into them and hand them out on Halloween.

[speciallyblend]

seems wierd... but could work

I dare you to go try it,its a proven marketing ploy and IT WILL WORK,its a non invasive marketing technique.


Example if you flyer 1000 cars with a Ron paul Flyer you will get a better response.

If you hand flyers out person to person,more people will be defensive and even confront you.

The point is if you give people a choice to look something up,then to have it given to them,they are more likely to investigate the flyer/ rock marketing then to have someone trying to debate them inless then 30 seconds as you hand them a flyer.


On that simple point,you can reach more by just letting them investigate on their own.


its a proven marketing ploy,some might call it junk,but many do look it up,and the Nice Gentleman that put this together is 100 PERCENT CORRECT.

RON PAULING IT 2008 ,if you dont like his idea dont do it.


Have you tried to debate a friendly Colored Rock lately?? You cant win a debate against a colored rock especially a RON PAUL COLORED ROCK

[thehittgirl]

Have you read through the other threads regarding the idea?

Personally, I think it's a waste of resources. Why not stick a slimjim or a mosaic ad, or a few of RP's articles in a bag with a rock, and toss THOSE in driveways? Skip the website entirely. Give people the information in a format where they are guaranteed to be able to access it. (As opposed to a site when a good portion of voters still aren't online yet.)

Yep agreed. Went out a little too late last night so we just put our trifolds on porches and doorsteps rather than spook anyone out and make noises in their yards. So people got some extra reading material in addition to their newspaper this morning.

I think the rock idea would tick people off.

[Ozwest]

Make the rocks little grave stones with Civil Liberties carved into them and hand them out on Halloween.

That's Gothic... yet appealing.

[speciallyblend]

what if What if what if???? all these what ifs, what if you get hit by a car passing out flyers.what if a kid runs across a street to hear your message what if a person dies handing out flyers at a house and it offends the person living there STOP IT,GEEZ you dont like the idea dont do it,IF YOU DO THEN DO IT
What if you leave your house,then you just put yourself in danger to the what if world. What if a kid eats a rock,then you have a dumbass kid who has a dumbass parent who cant parent there kids. WHAT IF WE JUST SIT AT HOME AND BITCH ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING IDEAS

I SAY DONT GO OUT OF YOUR HOUSE,YOU COULD DIE AND OFFEND SOMEONE FOR DYING IN THEIR PRESENCE ,WE WOULDNT WANT TO OFFEND ANYONE SO STAY AT HOME AND WAIT TO DIE,yeah that idea cant offend anyone just dont let the lil colored rock kill you,so stay home or better yet dont let anyone get offended so stay home. What if ,you have a brain and see a rock and are curious,what if you see a flyer and are curious. If your so worried about all the what ifs,stay home and whine

WITH THIS REASONING ,We should BAN BASEBALL,the WHAT IFS BREAK WINDOWS ALL THE TIME,WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF ,YOU GET THE POINT,IF YOUR THAT SCARED STAY HOME, HELL WE SHOULD BAN LIFE,that way no can be offended

[Thor]

what if What if what if???? all these what ifs, what if you get hit by a car passing out flyers.what if a kid runs across a street to hear your message what if a person dies handing out flyers at a house and it offends the person living there STOP IT,GEEZ you dont like the idea dont do it,IF YOU DO THEN DO IT
What if you leave your house,then you just put yourself in danger to the what if world. What if a kid eats a rock,then you have a dumbass kid who has a dumbass parent who cant parent there kids. WHAT IF WE JUST SIT AT HOME AND BITCH ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING IDEAS

I SAY DONT GO OUT OF YOUR HOUSE,YOU COULD DIE AND OFFEND SOMEONE FOR DYING IN THEIR PRESENCE ,WE WOULDNT WANT TO OFFEND ANYONE SO STAY AT HOME AND WAIT TO DIE,yeah that idea cant offend anyone just dont let the lil colored rock kill you,so stay home or better yet dont let anyone get offended so stay home. What if ,you have a brain and see a rock and are curious,what if you see a flyer and are curious. If your so worried about all the what ifs,stay home and whine

WITH THIS REASONING ,We should BAN BASEBALL,the WHAT IFS BREAK WINDOWS ALL THE TIME,WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF ,YOU GET THE POINT,IF YOUR THAT SCARED STAY HOME, HELL WE SHOULD BAN LIFE,that way no can be offended


True Dat.

The rock guy said he did it before in 2001 or 2002 or something with GREAT results. I have no idea if it will work, but just try it.

[constituent]

what if What if what if???? all these what ifs, what if you get hit by a car passing out flyers.what if a kid runs across a street to hear your message what if a person dies handing out flyers at a house and it offends the person living there STOP IT,GEEZ you dont like the idea dont do it,IF YOU DO THEN DO IT
What if you leave your house,then you just put yourself in danger to the what if world. What if a kid eats a rock,then you have a dumbass kid who has a dumbass parent who cant parent there kids. WHAT IF WE JUST SIT AT HOME AND BITCH ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING IDEAS

I SAY DONT GO OUT OF YOUR HOUSE,YOU COULD DIE AND OFFEND SOMEONE FOR DYING IN THEIR PRESENCE ,WE WOULDNT WANT TO OFFEND ANYONE SO STAY AT HOME AND WAIT TO DIE,yeah that idea cant offend anyone just dont let the lil colored rock kill you,so stay home or better yet dont let anyone get offended so stay home. What if ,you have a brain and see a rock and are curious,what if you see a flyer and are curious. If your so worried about all the what ifs,stay home and whine

WITH THIS REASONING ,We should BAN BASEBALL,the WHAT IFS BREAK WINDOWS ALL THE TIME,WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF ,YOU GET THE POINT,IF YOUR THAT SCARED STAY HOME, HELL WE SHOULD BAN LIFE,that way no can be offended

given the zealotry with which so many are so eager to pounce on any media
stooge for any oversight, intentional or otherwise, it is amazing that you've
not taken into account the too common tendency toward asshatery that
runs through the GR efforts like the stripe of a skunk...

think... ban baseball? kenny, come on man.

:confused:

organizing these efforts in individual meetups is possible if the leader is willing to
assume responsibility for all the folks going out under their umbrella... but do you
want to be shunned, defeated when some jerk in a meetup halfway across the
country from you that probably wasn't a real ron paul supporter anyway throws
a few through people's windows?

think the press won't seize on that? would you rather be attacking some reporter
because they misrepresented the other 99% then carefully considering the consequences
of what you're advocating?

is it just more fun to write nasty letters, disguise our motivations to gather info.,
and all sorts of quasi-bond fbi shit?

i still think it is a good idea, just needs some very careful consideration... throwing
in my nickle, ^those are some considerations.

[xcalybur]

Mostly good feedback. I see the side of both the negatives and positives. Maybe I will do this locally and see what kind of web traffic I get and I can share this info.

Honestly, I'm willing to try anything at this point, but I want the most bang for the buck. I can hit probably 1000 houses in about 8 hours time. I can spread that out over a weekend. (Fri, Sat, Sun). I would think that people stopping at houses to give out slimjims or show a video on a laptop would be at best during that time frame between 100-150 houses with a turnover of probably 50% or less. So that would be at best 75 conversions per 8 hour period. If I can get a 20% turnover from the rocks that would be 200 people in 8 hours. I can also see the vast majority of Meetup members not going door to door talking to people. That is really for the well spoken extraverts. I think almost anyone can put together some simple baggies and put them at peoples homes.

Maybe it is just me, but this seems like a huge bang for the buck investment. Please more comments, improvements are welcome.

[EvilEngineer]

I like the idea of killing two birds with one stone. Now If I could just find a big enough rock to drop on rudy and hitlary at the same time. Maybe when they are sharing fashion tips to one another...

[speciallyblend]

ok people banning baseball, the post was sarcasm,i thought that was pretty clear by reading the whole post

[Ozwest]

what if What if what if???? all these what ifs, what if you get hit by a car passing out flyers.what if a kid runs across a street to hear your message what if a person dies handing out flyers at a house and it offends the person living there STOP IT,GEEZ you dont like the idea dont do it,IF YOU DO THEN DO IT
What if you leave your house,then you just put yourself in danger to the what if world. What if a kid eats a rock,then you have a dumbass kid who has a dumbass parent who cant parent there kids. WHAT IF WE JUST SIT AT HOME AND BITCH ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING IDEAS

I SAY DONT GO OUT OF YOUR HOUSE,YOU COULD DIE AND OFFEND SOMEONE FOR DYING IN THEIR PRESENCE ,WE WOULDNT WANT TO OFFEND ANYONE SO STAY AT HOME AND WAIT TO DIE,yeah that idea cant offend anyone just dont let the lil colored rock kill you,so stay home or better yet dont let anyone get offended so stay home. What if ,you have a brain and see a rock and are curious,what if you see a flyer and are curious. If your so worried about all the what ifs,stay home and whine
Got your back mate! I'm as pissed off as you at these pansy ass, whimpy, gutless, wonders who believe in civilized revolutions... As soon as their pants get dirty they'll head to the comfort of their political masters.
WITH THIS REASONING ,We should BAN BASEBALL,the WHAT IFS BREAK WINDOWS ALL THE TIME,WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF ,YOU GET THE POINT,IF YOUR THAT SCARED STAY HOME, HELL WE SHOULD BAN LIFE,that way no can be offended

Got your back mate! I'm pissed off as you are at these pansy ass, whimpy and gutless wonders who believe in mamby pamby solutions to revolutionary ideas... As soon as their pants get dirty they'll go home to Momma and seek guidance from their favorite political teet.

[xcalybur]

I see your point constituent, but if someone is willing to go to jail for vandalizing private property, what else would they do to Dr. Paul's campaign? This is a great way to weed those people out with a relatively benign idea. If the media picks up on it, well it is obvious that it is this person's fault and not the fault of our idea.

[xcalybur]

Ozwest, very good points. I am trying to come up with something folks. We need something. There is a fizzle going on in the Ron Paul supporters and if we don't get the republican nomination, it won't matter that someone broke a window or not doing some idea that myself and others had. We need new blood injected into the veins of the core Ron Paul supporters. If you think that we can just coast into the primaries the way we are and the way we've been doing things, I think you underestimate the power of the people who will keep Washington the way it is at all cost. If they need to, they will kill Ron Paul. Don't doubt that. I think the possibility of a little window breaking or a kid swallowing a rock is fine by me to fight these bastards that will not let go of our throats.

Maybe it's just me, but I take this very seriously. I feel that I am fighting, life and death, for myself and especially for my kids. I can see a day when my children are living in a country similar to North Korea or China, where a select few have dictatorial power over us all. Do some of you not see this? I don't know if it will happen in 5 years or even 30 years, but it will happen. Our founding fathers fought against tyranny to provide a better life for themselves and their families for generations to come. This is one of the only times in history where this has happened. We are under tyranny again, potentially worse than in 1776. The biggest problem back then was worrying what a far away king would do when we told him to shove it. Today our biggest problem is that the majority of the people don't even know what is happening under their feet. We will be lulled into this, pacified, asking for the government to help us. I would argue that this is a far bigger fight than any this country has ever known. Show some backbone and drop your nuts, because this fight has only just begun.

[Ozwest]

I see your point constituent, but if someone is willing to go to jail for vandalizing private property, what else would they do to Dr. Paul's campaign? This is a great way to weed those people out with a relatively benign idea. If the media picks up on it, well it is obvious that it is this person's fault and not the fault of our idea.

If you're not prepared to go to jail because the LAW may be broken, you are a hypocrite. Is it easier to be a commentator than a person of principle? How righteous of you. Let others do the dirty work, as long as your sanctimonious ass is safe. Plan your next Holiday.

[xcalybur]

So true Oz. Anyone have anything to add to my idea? Otherwise I will give it a shot locally and see what happens.

[Ozwest]

Ozwest, very good points. I am trying to come up with something folks. We need something. There is a fizzle going on in the Ron Paul supporters and if we don't get the republican nomination, it won't matter that someone broke a window or not doing some idea that myself and others had. We need new blood injected into the veins of the core Ron Paul supporters. If you think that we can just coast into the primaries the way we are and the way we've been doing things, I think you underestimate the power of the people who will keep Washington the way it is at all cost. If they need to, they will kill Ron Paul. Don't doubt that. I think the possibility of a little window breaking or a kid swallowing a rock is fine by me to fight these bastards that will not let go of our throats.

Maybe it's just me, but I take this very seriously. I feel that I am fighting, life and death, for myself and especially for my kids. I can see a day when my children are living in a country similar to North Korea or China, where a select few have dictatorial power over us all. Do some of you not see this? I don't know if it will happen in 5 years or even 30 years, but it will happen. Our founding fathers fought against tyranny to provide a better life for themselves and their families for generations to come. This is one of the only times in history where this has happened. We are under tyranny again, potentially worse than in 1776. The biggest problem back then was worrying what a far away king would do when we told him to shove it. Today our biggest problem is that the majority of the people don't even know what is happening under their feet. We will be lulled into this, pacified, asking for the government to help us. I would argue that this is a far bigger fight than any this country has ever known. Show some backbone and drop your nuts, because this fight has only just begun.

I posted before reading these comments. I take two steps backwards from my previous post. Peace.

[Ozwest]

I am not an expert, but if you follow your heart (gut instinct) that wins 9 out of 10. I should read previous threads before besmirching someone such as yourself. Power to ya.

[xcalybur]

Why? Too radical for you?

[Ozwest]

Not at all. Maybe it's my fanaticism regarding Ron Paul, but alot of people in this forum have been pissing on others of late and I'm riled. Unfortunately, I can piss in the wrong direction myself.

[xcalybur]

I appreciate the support Oz. Your views/opinions are just as important as mine. No one here is better than anyone else. Live your life the way you want to. I just don't want those NeoCon bastards to tell me how to live it. They have no right and if it comes down to it, I will take it back from them with force. We will not become another Germany before WWII. If the right person (Giuliani) gets into office with all this power that the last few Presidents have given him, that will be it for us. The parallels between the US government right now and Nazi Germany are erie. All the powers the President has illegally obtained right now are the same powers that Hitler asked for from his Parliment. Hitler was against the Jews or anyone who wasn't the perfect race. Does it somewhat remind you of the Islamists with us? The only real difference is that the Islamists are fighting back, thus looking like an enemy to us. The Jews didn't really fight back. They were peaceful, so the world really saw Germany for what it was. Power hungry for world domination. Does that last sentence sound familiar? CFR, NAFTA, NWO, Amero, North American Super Highway? They are just cloaking it for the American people so that they don't feel bad about it. I have no doubt that if we didn't start doing what Woodrow Wilson had us do in the early 1900's of spreading democracy throughout the world through force, that we would be a much stronger nation that is beloved by the world and doesn't have MASSIVE trade deficits. Some people may be offended by my comparison of Nazi Germany and the US Government. There are some obvious differences. The mass torture and genocide is an obvious one, but ask yourself this. What is to stop them from doing that? They've already started it in Guantanamo. What is to stop them from stating that all Muslims are the enemy and they need to be killed through a war. There are more Muslims in the world than any other religion. What is stopping them?

Ron Paul would.

[DrNoZone]

Ugh, this thing just won't die will it?

I suggest handing out slim jims, or flyers, or DVD's, or audio CD's. Anything that is direct and upfront and presents Ron Paul's message. THAT is much more effective than chucking freedom rocks around your neighborhood.

[xcalybur]

I think you are pissing in the right direction Oz. Piss on the NeoCons, piss on the people who know about what is going on and just sit there, doing nothing about it. I can't blame the tens of millions of sheep out there who don't know better. They have been fooled. They are lulled into this. It's like taking a loratab, it numbs you enough that you don't quite feel what is going on around you. For those of us who have stop taking the loratab, you have no excuse to sit there and do nothing. Get up and contribute, be positive and come up with your own ideas. There have been SOOOO many great ideas that have come out of these forums. RPR is just one big one that has come to mind. The fantastic RP Newspaper ad is another. Come up with something, anything. We have the people and support to make this happen. We will win this. We must.

[Ron Paul Fan]

I wasn't too high on the original rock idea. Of course I was high at the time so that may have clouded my judgement. Anyway, I don't think throwing rocks at people and birds is a good way to gain supporters. How would you feel if someone threw a rock at you and said, "Vote Ron Paul or we'll stone you to death!" They would probably call the cops. Also, I can't believe we've resorted to killing birds with rocks in order to spread the word. The birds have nothing to do with the campaign so why kill them? This campaign is about non-intervention and peace with all of mankind and nature's creatures. Let's keep it that way.

[Ozwest]

I think you are pissing in the right direction Oz. Piss on the NeoCons, piss on the people who know about what is going on and just sit there, doing nothing about it. I can't blame the tens of millions of sheep out there who don't know better. They have been fooled. They are lulled into this. It's like taking a loratab, it numbs you enough that you don't quite feel what is going on around you. For those of us who have stop taking the loratab, you have no excuse to sit there and do nothing. Get up and contribute, be positive and come up with your own ideas. There have been SOOOO many great ideas that have come out of these forums. RPR is just one big one that has come to mind. The fantastic RP Newspaper ad is another. Come up with something, anything. We have the people and support to make this happen. We will win this. We must.

High Fives! All is peaceful in the Valley.

[xcalybur]

I appreciate your input DrNoZone. I see two problems with this. First, it is a much higher cost to do what you say. Also, you have to have a captive audience of some type to do this. How do you reach the people who don't go to the mall, or the local fair. Sure, you could go house to house, but my previous post covered the shortfalls of that strategy. Second, how many people do you know who are comfortable talking and defending Ron Paul in public? For every person you can find that is good at it, I can find 5 that aren't. Now, I am one of those 5 and I know that I could possibly hurt Ron Paul's campaign more stumbling over myself talking in public about him or trying to defend him against a NeoCon than Ron Paul could do for himself on a website. Example: I hand out slimjims at a local fair that pulls in maybe 10,000 people. I reach 1000 of those people with flyers and 20 of them are NeoCon/Pro-War types who want to fight with me over Ron Paul. If I don't defend him properly I could make all twenty of those people and everyone else around listening to this encounter hate Ron Paul or at least think he isn't worth the time to consider him.

I know where my weaknesses are. They aren't in public speaking. I don't mind going to a road side rally, but going head to head with a Pro-War NeoCon is just not my cup of tea. I would rather a website with Dr. Ron Paul on it explaining it himself. He is much better at it than I.

[xcalybur]

Ron Paul Fan, are you still high? Who said anything about birds?

[McDermit]

Or what if the little kid finds the bag and EATS the rock? I had thought of some of these dangers before but you really demonstrated why this is simply a really bad idea.

lol. painted rocks do look a lot like giant NERDS candies.

[speciallyblend]

Ugh, this thing just won't die will it?

I suggest handing out slim jims, or flyers, or DVD's, or audio CD's. Anything that is direct and upfront and presents Ron Paul's message. THAT is much more effective than chucking freedom rocks around your neighborhood.

Ok give me stats to show that please.The gentleman with the rock ideas actually has cost and benefit stats to prove it works.

[McDermit]

Ok give me stats to show that please.The gentleman with the rock ideas actually has cost and benefit stats to prove it works.

No, he has costs and benefit stats to show that it works when selling some crappy product to people - NOT CONVERTING VOTERS!

There is a huge difference between gimmicky sales tactics for hocking goods and getting votes. This is a ploy, scheme, and gimmick. Ron Paul's message doesn't need to be lowered to this level.

[speciallyblend]

well if he can sell a crappy product that way.THEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SELL A DAM GOOD PRODUCT RON PAUL.enuff said ,if you dont like the rock idea dont so it,end of story,if you do like the rock idea do it,the rock idea isnt going to kill the campiagn but it will sure help it as well by exposing more people to RON PAULS MESSAGE.

[speciallyblend]

No, he has costs and benefit stats to show that it works when selling some crappy product to people - NOT CONVERTING VOTERS!

There is a huge difference between gimmicky sales tactics for hocking goods and getting votes. This is a ploy, scheme, and gimmick. Ron Paul's message doesn't need to be lowered to this level.

Since you dont like the rock idea,go ahead and send me 400 bucks a month so i can advertise on the radio. If you cant then ill continue to flyer my area and i just might use the rock idea,so if you dont want me to use the rock idea send me the money so ican advertise on the radio..I'm using my own money,but if you want to help feel free to pay for the radio advertisement,if not ,then i need to figure out how to spread his message cost effectively. Other then that until i spend money or more money,there are no flyers or a colored rock or radio.

I have a good speaking voice and energy and have done alot of grassroots here but im tapped out and so are many others.ITS AN IDEA and stop with the what ifs a rock in window or a person offended because a lil bag with a rock was tossed near them not at them.OVERBLOWN CRAP{ in the what if world. the naysayers on the colored rocks are full of BS,or put your money where your mouth is,help the local grassroots people who have the means but no money,instead of trashing ideas. I know i have done what i can,i have radio stations calling me and i can only blow them off and say i have to get money together,but in reality it isnt happening.I can only hope my finances get better so i can start my plan on educating the public.I have already done 1000's of flyers, next step is to reach the masses,but until the HQ steps up. i just dont have the resources other then my one on one with customers and all the people i know here. If i had the 100 bucks for the colored rocks i would do it,sincei dont have 200-300 for more flyers

PS note been waiting for my slimjims now for over 4 weeks it seems, so im not counting on HQ,so at this time central colorado is at a halt for RON PAUL,until i either get help or i finally have some free money to spend on RON PAUL,in my 3 counties.

[Ozwest]

There's enough interest to give it a go. Nobody knows if it will work or not... The originator backs himself and has put alot of energy into this project... Don't discourage entrepeneurs because they lead by example. Ninety% of businesses fail in the first year. Admire hudspah.

[leipo]

No, he has costs and benefit stats to show that it works when selling some crappy product to people - NOT CONVERTING VOTERS!

There is a huge difference between gimmicky sales tactics for hocking goods and getting votes. This is a ploy, scheme, and gimmick. Ron Paul's message doesn't need to be lowered to this level.

Exactly, i agree completely.

[McDermit]

Since you dont like the rock idea,go ahead and send me 400 bucks a month so i can advertise on the radio. If you cant then ill continue to flyer my area and i just might use the rock idea,so if you dont want me to use the rock idea send me the money so ican advertise on the radio..I'm using my own money,but if you want to help feel free to pay for the radio advertisement,if not ,then i need to figure out how to spread his message cost effectively. Other then that until i spend money or more money,there are no flyers or a colored rock or radio.

I have a good speaking voice and energy and have done alot of grassroots here but im tapped out and so are many others.ITS AN IDEA and stop with the what ifs a rock in window or a person offended because a lil bag with a rock was tossed near them not at them.OVERBLOWN CRAP{ in the what if world. the naysayers on the colored rocks are full of BS,or put your money where your mouth is,help the local grassroots people who have the means but no money,instead of trashing ideas. I know i have done what i can,i have radio stations calling me and i can only blow them off and say i have to get money together,but in reality it isnt happening.I can only hope my finances get better so i can start my plan on educating the public.I have already done 1000's of flyers, next step is to reach the masses,but until the HQ steps up. i just dont have the resources other then my one on one with customers and all the people i know here. If i had the 100 bucks for the colored rocks i would do it,sincei dont have 200-300 for more flyers

PS note been waiting for my slimjims now for over 4 weeks it seems, so im not counting on HQ,so at this time central colorado is at a halt for RON PAUL,until i either get help or i finally have some free money to spend on RON PAUL,in my 3 counties.

Did I say anything about radio advertising or NOT flyering your area? No.

But if you're going to spend money on bags, paint for rocks (and the time to paint them) and a slip of paper with the rockscam message on it, why not just stick a slim jim or founding fathers flyer or something you printed out yourself in the bag with a normal, unpainted rock... and toss that into someone's driveway? It would be a more or equally efficient use of time. And you then wouldn't have the high rate of people who are unable to view the message due to a lack of internet access. AND you wouldn't be scamming/scheming/tricking anyone into learning about RP.


You have to understand how and why the rockscam and similar marketing techniques are used.

The whole point of the rockscam is to get people to visit your site or call your phone number to BUY SOMETHING FROM YOU. It's not about spreading information. You can't just drop off your gadget at someone's door and collect your money... they have to come to you and tell you that they want it first. You need them to contact you. That's why the rockscam works in sales. With politics, it's a different game entirely. All you want to do is give them the information! They don't need to contact you. You can give them the information WITHOUT the rockscam. The rockscam adds a step that is completely unnecessary and irrelevant. It's a waste. Give people the information up front. Making them sing and dance for it is unquestionably counterproductive.

You'll absolutely get people to visit the website with the rockscam. But how many of those will actually stay on the site and read RP's message? How many will be turned off by the fact that they were tricked? How many who recieved the rock won't have internet access? How many others won't care enough to log on and visit the site? All of those that recieved the rock COULD have been targeted directly with RP's message, and the reaction may have been entirely different. If you just do the rockscam, there will be tons of people who have recieved the rock, but still haven't been exposed to Ron Paul. How will you reach those people? You'll never even know who you reached and who you didn't. Drop a slimjim on their porch and you KNOW that someone in that household saw RP's name and face. The same cannot be guaranteed with the rockscam.



Don't think of it as discouraging ideas, but rather encouraging PRODUCTIVE and EFFICIENT uses of resources.

[Ozwest]

lol. painted rocks do look a lot like giant NERDS candies.

I would give this project about 10% chance of working. The man who has ownership of this idea would probably agree... I, unlike certain blow - hards admire people who put their heads on the chopping block... Some will lead and some will follow, and some are confused.

[ACJohn]

Can we Kill one stone idea with Two birds? Please

[McDermit]

Can we Kill one stone idea with Two birds? Please

Seconded. :D

[xcalybur]

Ok, on my own. Very few people seem to care about this. Haven't seen anyone else with a better idea though.

[McDermit]

There was a dude who used to get himself on the news on a weekly basis a couple years ago. He was unemployed and couldn't find a job. So every day, he dressed up in a suit and tie and stood on a busy corner with a sign saying he needed a job. Some days, he'd bring a desk and office chair and sit there for a full 8 hours. The local news would come down and interview him, he was in the papers, and everyone in the area was talking about him. He eventually did get a job from someone who saw him on the corner... and he made it on some national shows as well.

Come up with a similar stunt you can pull in your own neighborhood to get yourself (and RP's message) on your local news.

A dude standing on a corner in a suit with a sign that says "My boss thinks I'm in a meeting" would be cute. Surround him with a few people holding up RP signs, then make one or two anonymous calls to your local news stations...