76, 4, 58, 16, 12, 47: What Do These Numbers Mean?

by Michael Martine on May 9, 2008 · 19 comments

Pile of business cards

Before I left for SOBCon 08, I announced a promotion. I gave away business cards at SOBCon, and each one had a number written on the back of it. When I left for SOBCon, I had 100 numbered business cards. When I returned to Vermont, I had 45 left. I gave out 55 business cards. Except I didn’t just give them out–I exchanged them for others’ business cards. I said I would draw three numbers after the conference, and the winners were going to get an hour’s worth of blog consulting each. My hourly rate is $140, so altogether I said I was giving away $420 worth of consulting time.

Well, I lied.

I’m not giving away one hour of blog consulting to three SOBConners.

Instead, I’m giving away one hour of blog consulting to six SOBConners! That’s twice as many people as I had planned on, at a value of $840.

If you have my business card from SOBCon with one of the numbers above on it, congratulations! Please contact me here or on Twitter so that we can schedule your free call.

If I don’t hear from the winners within 48 hours, I’ll draw new numbers.

{ 3 trackbacks }

These Numbers Be Magic: 24, 8, 31, 18, 49
May 12, 2008 at 6:55 am
These Numbers Be Magic: 24, 8, 31, 18, 49
May 12, 2008 at 6:55 am
How developed is your contact list: freelance journalists better become collectors « Christopher Wink
December 19, 2008 at 8:30 am

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Kristen King May 9, 2008 at 9:33 am

Wow, Michael, that is really generous of you!

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2 Kristen King May 9, 2008 at 9:35 am

Oh, and P.S. I love that photo.

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3 Joe Hauckes May 9, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Hey Mike,
We exchanged cards and there is no number on the back of mine. LOL
Nice meeting you at SOBCon all the same. ;-)

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4 Michael Martine, Blog Consultant May 9, 2008 at 12:53 pm

@Joe – Sorry about that, Joe. I had two piles, one with numbers and one without. The cards without were meant for those who would never need my services, like Chris Garrett or Brian Clark. I must have got the two stacks mixed up.

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5 Sonia Simone May 9, 2008 at 1:35 pm

Sadly, I am not a lucky winner. But I warmly congratulate those who were, and hope one of them doesn’t need it and you pick me next.

Yes, it’s true, I am shockingly selfish.

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6 Grant D Griffiths May 9, 2008 at 1:48 pm

Awesome idea.I am going to keep this in mind the next time I go to a conference or meeting.

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7 Melissa Pierce May 9, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Peed my pants thinking that I’d won some time with you, turns out I transposed the numbers. Had to change my cloths for nothing.

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8 Adam Kayce May 10, 2008 at 10:44 am

Mine’s #6 (I met you Friday night before the boat ride)… bummer.

Anyone turn in a winner yet?

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9 Gino J May 10, 2008 at 10:45 am

Great idea. I’ll do something similar when the right time comes. :)

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10 Michael Martine, Blog Consultant May 10, 2008 at 11:06 am

@Adam – Not yet. No takers means a new drawing.

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11 Ruth Marie Sylte May 10, 2008 at 8:54 pm

You have been amazingly generous with this offer. Unfortunately, my number is not among those chosen — and will probably not be. But my “luck” is not in the draw, it is having met you! Thanks, Michael!

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12 Michael Martine, Blog Consultant May 10, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Nobody has claimed the winning numbers, yet. This means new numbers will be drawn, and there will be new chances to win!

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13 Sonia Simone May 12, 2008 at 1:06 am

OK, I will put my stupid optimism hat back on, then.

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14 Jesse Petersen May 12, 2008 at 9:17 am

Michael,

Shoot. I was on a weekend getaway with #58 on my desk. Is it too late?

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15 Michael Martine, Blog Consultant May 12, 2008 at 10:32 am

@Jesse – see my twitter dm. :) And next time, get your priorities straight!

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16 Jesse Petersen May 12, 2008 at 10:41 am

Resetting now. :)

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