Diary of a Yes Woman
Posted: 8/27/2009 2:44:06 PM by
Diane Knoepke | with 0 comments
Perhaps inspired by Julie & Julia (book and movie) and “Yes Man” (movie - well, really I just saw the trailer over and over on TV), I decided earlier this week that I would say "yes" to all the sponsorship offers/requests that came my way. Unlike J & J or Jim Carrey's Yes Man character's year-long experiments, however, I only committed to 24 hours.
Monday, 9:30 PM: Called up the Westin/National Sleep Foundation hotline I've read so much about in the past week. I asked if there were different minimum recommended hours of sleep dependent on age, etc. Evidently, not really. I answered a series of questions and the hotline rep gave me a few answers. It felt a bit like searching the internet, only slower. Result: I would have liked a more consultative experience but it was free after all. I slept as well as I usually do.
Tuesday, 6:30 AM: After what may or may not have been an appropriate amount of sleep (pretty sure not), I headed to my 6:30 AM appointment at AthletiCo, a Chicagoland physical therapy/fitness group, for a free screening. I am a repeat participant in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (TNT) program, and when I started to have pain in my neck and shoulders while running, my coach recommended I take advantage of a screening from TNT sponsor AthletiCo. It was a good experience and as I looked around at the photos and logos on the walls, I was impressed and heartened by how many local pro teams and institutions (e.g., the ballet) come to AthletiCo for their rehab. Result: I got some good stretches for immediate use and will be seeing my doc about a prescription for PT.
Tuesday, 8:30 AM: I read an article about Komen's 2009 Passionately Pink campaign and its new extensions. So I went to the site, checked out the message from spokesperson Sarah Chalke and played with the online T-shirt design site for awhile, though I did not submit one for the contest. I then noticed an invitation to text a number to make a $5 donation. So I did that too, responding "YES" again to confirm the gift and to sign up for Komen text updates. Result: Though I won't notice the extra charge on the wireless bill (God bless autopay), I'm happy to support them with a little gift, and I will be interested to read the texts they send.
Tuesday, 1:30 PM: After making a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, I noticed a Disney vacation promo on my jar of Jif. I went to Jif.com and Smuckers.com and found that the Disney promo had ended (as had the jar of peanut butter). But all was not lost, as Smuckers invited me to vote on Pillsbury Bake-Off recipes! Result: After voting and registering on the site I’m realizing this could be a good source for new recipes and will be watching for the final winners.
Tuesday, 3:00 PM Accepted Windows Live Network request. Did it because it was from one of my colleagues and they said it benefitted a cause. Not sure which one. . .I’ll have to do some looking into that. Result: Frankly, some homework to do.
Tuesday, 8:30 PM Surprisingly, while I was on hotel and airline web sites, and then on the phone with a rep from an airline to change an upcoming flight, despite searching for one, I got no sponsorship-related offer. Result: Really wished a sponsorship somehow could have gotten me out of that $150 change fee, because my frequent flier status certainly did not.
All in all, it was good to be a sponsorship “yes woman” for 24 hours. I enjoyed it and it was pretty good for mind, body, and soul. I encourage you all to give it a try as well – you never know what you might experience or what insights you may glean.
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Filed under: cause marketing, marathon, nonprofit, research, activation