Chapter 148 - Practical Applications of Basic Marketing

August 23, 2012 – Thursday 10 am – Northwestern University, East Ouigab

Third week of August is the enrollment week of Northwestern University for the first semester. While Percussive Corrections already enrolled three days ago, the band has decided to spend their next few days scattered by the campus' gates. 

"Hey miss. Freshman?" Ike said to a female student. Ike confidently approached as the female student has been looking at him curiously for a minute or two now.

"Y-yeah." The female student confirmed.

"Well, welcome to Northwestern. May not be the best, but it's still a great school." Ike said.

"Thanks. That's what I heard too. So, what are those?" The freshman pointed at Ike's hands.

"Oh. I'm promoting my band's new songs. Can you check our songs out? I'm the drummer of the band." Ike explained.

Ike who was assigned by the band by the fifth gate, is currently handing out flyers containing links to the band's YouTube, Stoppify and iTunes. 

The band's first album is finally done. The band, watching Tayaw produce the songs for 'September Ninth', did not bother finding a music producer and mixed their songs themselves using Tayaw's music software. 

"Sure. I will! Are you guys famous?" The freshman asked.

"Well, we're quite well-known in our campus and other universities. Check our YouTube out. We have millions of views of our covers." Ike said.

"Oh! Okay. I'll check you guys out then." The freshman said and excused herself.

A few minutes later, "Oh. If it isn't the pretty boy drummer…" A tall athletic student approached Ike and greeted sarcastically.

"Oh, what's up man? How'd your game go?" Ike in contrast, responded amicably. The student chuckled at not being able to make a rise out of Ike. 

"Well? It went sh*t. Their goalkeeper is a fckin beast. Done enrolling?" The student asked.

"Yeah. You?" Ike asked.

"Done yesterday. What are you doing here then?" The student asked out of curiosity.

"I'm here selling the band's first album. Same goes for the others." Ike said as he shook his flyers in front of the student's face.

This piqued the student's interest.

"First album? Lemme see." The athletic student smoothly snatched one of Ike's flyers.

"Ah! Well, there you go. Hey, you can buy a CD from me now if you want." Ike said.

"Man, you still sell in CD form? … Alright. I'll buy one." The athletic student said. Ike pulled one out

"15 BGC, buddy." Ike charged. 

"Ah… Not yet, buddy. Why don't you sign it first? Then I'll buy it." The student asked.

Ike's eyebrows rose at the request, but not seeing problem with it, and hungry for his first CD sale, pulled out his marker pen and did just as the student asked.

"Nice. Here you go." The student finally paid.

"I'll see you on the 1st, Ike."

"See you. Hey. Spread the word to your team, too." 

"By the way. Why is security or faculty letting you sell here?" The student raised a valid question.

"Look closer at the flyer. I'm also advertising for the school of music. Had we not decided to include it to our flyer, we wouldn't have been allowed." Ike explained.

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"*Chunk-chunk-tap-tap-strum-strum*"

Unlike Ike whose instrument is difficult to appreciate without accompanying instruments, Hoon is currently playing a cheerful tune with his acoustic guitar by the 2nd gate where he is assigned to. There are around 10 or so people, students and parents, enjoying Hoon's display with his guitar.

The song soon ended and Hoon took a break.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Hoon from the band Percussive Corrections. Thank you for listening." Hoon greeted the spectators with the opening statement he rehearsed all morning. 

At first, Hoon was anxious at the idea of busking alone. However, after an hour of performing and promoting, and the spectators' warm responses, Hoon has grown to love it. His previous anxiety is now replaced with hunger for attention and appreciation to his playing.

"Anyway. My band just made our first album. You can check us out on the internet." Hoon passed flyers which the spectators curiously received.

"If you want, you can also buy a CD of our album from me now for only 15BGC. It's much cheaper too compared to other albums." Hoon also held up a copy of their album.

"Young man. Are your mates just as good as you?" A parent, who has watched Hoon for two songs in a row, asked.

"Yes ma'am. You can actually check them out in the other gates. Our saxophonist, violinist, and keyboardist brought their instruments with them." Hoon replied. 

"Okay. Now I'm curious. I'll take two of your CDs." The parent said. Hearing this, Hoon could not help but smile. So far, he has already sold 2 albums, and adding the parent's purchase, he now parted with four copies. 

"Hey. Are you studying music here?" A young man who has also spared his time watching Hoon play, approached.

"No. I'm studying engineering. But I would like to study music here if I haven't invested time already in engineering." Hoon answered honestly.

"Oh. Then why are you advertising the school of music?" The student asked as he pointed at the flyer he took from Hoon earlier.

"Well… Uhh.. because they'd pay me with free lecture. You know RedSkirts? Their guitarist will be a lecturer here this coming semester. The school would give me a free pass in his lessons." Hoon explained. 

"Oh. That's cool." The student says excitedly, recognizing RedSkirts.

"I know." Hoon smiles. 

]Actually… I already recognize you from your band's YouTube! It's nice to meet you." The student revealed, obviously excited.

"Thanks man. Nice to meet you too. How'd you find our covers?" Hoon asked. 

"They're good man! I especially love the 'Ms. Blue Shoes' cover! I don't like old school songs, but you guys made it great!" The student said.

"Glad to hear that. The band actually worked hard arranging the songs." Hoon could only feel pride. 

"I'm sure. I've never heard anyone play it like you guys did. Oh, by the way… You know who my favorite member of your band is?" The student asked, smiling mysteriously. Hoon was taken aback, but thought about it for a moment. 

"I don't know. The violinist? I've seen a LOT of comments about her. Or maybe, our former vocalist, people love his voice." Hoon answered as logically as he could. The student's smile widened at the answer.

"Oh, I like them. But I like you the best!" The student revealed. 

"O-oh?" Hoon was taken aback again.

"Well. I don't know what to say. Thanks?" Hoon said.

"Meh. After watching you live, I like you even more. You're probably the best guitarist I've seen live. I'm the lead guitarist of my high school band, and I can't compare to you." The student said. 

Hoon could not help but feel moved at the student's words. He had to swallow his spit many a times to suppress himself from being choked up with emotion. No one has ever appreciated his guitar skills, face-to-face at least.

After suppressing his emotions, Hoon ultimately shook his head at this. Hoon used to think that he is a good guitarist too even after he entered college, but after seeing the acts at ROH Factory, Rez from Strawberry Front, and finally Tayaw, he was humbled. He wants to share this experience with the student in front of him. 

"Man, I'm not that good. Look up Isaac Yawat, he's our former vocalist, but as a solo, he is playing a lot of guitar now. Check him out. You can also check out other bands in some music bars here in Ouigab, man. You'll learn a lot." Hoon said. 

"Hnnn. Okay! I'll do that! Hey, I'll take one CD." The student bought a CD and excused himself. 

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"*bomp**bomp**bomp-a-domp-dom*"

"*Buhooomm* *Puhroom-room-roompff* *Fwoooooo*"

Unlike the solo Hoon, Inson with his acoustic bass and Ramil with his average quality sax are having a duet with their instruments by the third gate.

As people usually do not see saxophonists and bassists busk, Inson and Ramil have attracted more spectators than Hoon. The two's upbeat and groovy tune also made the heads of the spectators bob along or their feet tap against the concrete ground. 

The two also sold more CDs and with their flyers displayed just in front of them, their flyers are also running out with the spectators freely taking them.

The two soon wrapped their instrumental up. *applause* *applause*

"Thank you. Thank you, everyone." Ramil, who is not used to interact with an audience, is doing so today to a much smaller one to train his stage presence as a vocalist. 

Inson, who is behind Ramil, is just watching in amus.e.m.e.nt especially when he recalled Tayaw's words a few days ago.

'Ike, Ramil, and Jenna. I have to say, you're all coming along as competent vocalists. The thing though is, your presence on the stage is still lacking. So here's what you will do come enrolment week…'

Tayaw's plan led up to crowd interaction training for Ike, Ramil, and Jenna.

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"*Pling* *Pling* *Pling-a-pling*"

"*plink**plink**plink-a-plink*" 

Jenna and Bay-an by the main gate is doing a lot better than their other members in promoting and selling. They piano - violin synergy is giving the main gate a lively energy.

"Thank you for listening everyone. We are members of the Percussive Corrections band. After months of hard work, we finally have our first ever album! Please check our songs. We have CDs of it for sale too for only 15 BGC." Jenna transformed into a saleswoman after they played. 

Unlike Ike and Ramil who are not used to interacting with people, Jenna's people skills as a tutor transferred into her skills in promoting their album face to face with people. 

"Hi! I'll take one!" A male student said.

"Here you go! 15 BGC." Jenna processed the transaction.

"Hi! I know you guys from the internet! Can I take a picture?" Another male student asked.

"Sure!" Jenna is glad to comply to the request. It is not the first time that someone requested a photo. 

"Hey! We've sold 12 already! This is awesome! Probably because there's way more people here than in the other gates." Jenna whispered to Bay-an.

"Nah. I don't think it's that. You really didn't notice?" Bay-an asked.

"Noticed what?" Jenna asked back in confusion. 

"Look. Every 6 or 7 male student, there's 1 female student watching. Statistically speaking, uhhh... Well, BASICALLY, the guys find you cute." Bay-an chuckled.

Jenna then looked around and as if a veil was pulled away in front of her eyes, Jenna saw that what Bay-an said might indeed be the case. Jenna blushed, became self-conscious, and embarrassed at the situation. 

"Hey. I'm sorry if I might be speaking like a … pimp, but we need as much exposure as we can. If you're cuteness would help, that's fantastic." Bay-an shrugged his shoulders.

"If I didn't know you, I'd have slapped you by now." Jenna was dumbfounded. 

"Hey. If Tayaw or Ike would be in your place, I'm pretty sure they'd sell to girls with their looks too. I'm just sayin'." Bay-an shrugged his shoulders.

"Wow. I didn't know you're like this…" Jenna could only say.

"Ugh. Fine. To make you feel better, I'll punch whoever harasses you." Bay-an assured Jenna.

"Thanks?" Jenna could only accept the situation.