RSS“So, You’re A Shill For Paula, Right?”
September 2, 2008
That was the title of a recent email. There was no text, but I think the title said it all. Excellent. I’ve been wondering when someone would ask.
What will I shill?
First, I had to look up the meaning of the word “shill”. The dictionary in my computer tells me that a shill is “an accomplice of a hawker, gambler, or swindler who acts as an enthusiastic customer to entice or encourage others”. The usage in everyday language is more relaxed, but still implies two agents working in concert to promote sales.
I’m not really a shill for products, any more than any woman who shares information that might be of help to other women in her community. Women have individual and particular tastes about products and that’s just fine.
Ideas
If I’m a shill for anything, it would be for ideas, though more as a proponent than for mutual financial benefit. An example is the idea that women belong to certain color groups, or seasons if you follow the outlines in Carole Jackson’s great book, Color Me Beautiful book. I am absolutely a believer.
The Human Cooperative
I’ll also elbow my way to the head of the line for “Shills of the TED Conference” (TED home page here). The list of all the themes covered by speakers at TED are here, at the Themes A-Z. Whenever human beings leave behind all their hangups in the spirit of sharing, cooperation, and building something together, I want to be there. Watch Dan Gilbert tell us about happiness:
The internet
The internet itself is what I am the biggest shill for. It has brought us freedom of speech, idea, and expression. For all of us, by all of us, the ultimate democracy. It brings us the sublime creativity of our fellow human beings. Listen. It brings us this:
That video was uploaded to YouTube by Sethtann.
Now there’s a song of praise for you. A brotherhood of man. Amen.
Feeling a little tingle?
Where could it take us from here?
Do you know the book, The Cluetrain Manifesto (TCM) ? If that book is not my religion, then it is at least my anthem. I will write a review of it one day. You can read it online for free here . It is about the wonder and importance of the internet. The last paragraph sums up all that I am about, my reason for being. It lights up my life. On the home page, scroll on down to the 95 Theses. You’ll get the idea.
I proudly take my position as a shill for TCM. If you run a business, if you want to share an idea, if you spend any time on the internet even just browsing, if you want to sell something or buy something, if you have a human voice, read this book. Human conversation has been suppressed for too long by jargon-bleating, party-line-towing corporate robotics. Nobody’s listening anymore. They might as well be talking Klingon. We’re all talking to one another instead. I’ll be a shill for that community any day. It’s where I’d love AGT to go.
But why PC?
Because they understand, whether by accident or intention I’m not certain, what is written in that most excellent book. And although I recognize they’re not in it to lose money, I also believe that fundamentally, they sincerely want to empower women.
I don’t get paid by Paula’s Choice. They did agree to work with me because I want to learn how the internet works. Paula’s Choice doesn’t control what I say and never try to. They don’t suggest topics or coordinate their activity with mine. Because I also want to understand how money moves on the internet, Paula’s Choice agreed to help set up an affiliate program where I receive 8% of sales that link to Paula’s Choice (PC) through A Greener Tea (AGT).
I’m not sure how much I have so far, maybe $35 or so. It doesn’t matter. I just want to know how the links are set up, how the counters work, and what this language sounds like. They’ve been very patient despite my blunders and haven’t laughed when I tried to speak this new language.
So, why not Apple or Title Nine? They also make a product I like and they talk to us like we’re real. It’s because I’m really into skin care, you see. PC is a small, affable, flexible, and accessible group of people who talk to you in a real human voice. They have a position - you never wonder what they’re about. They behave with rare and refreshing transparency at every level. They are closer to TCM than any other corporation I know. A woman at the helm only enhances the image, but that’s just me.
Sure, there are many businesses like this. I just haven’t got round to inviting them to the picnic yet.
Comments
9 Responses to ““So, You’re A Shill For Paula, Right?””
Got something to say? I hope so.
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A Greener Tea
Web Maintenence by Rick Beckman
I’ve been “shilling” for Paula for over 15 years, anyone who will listen, I “shill” her philosophy. I don’t always use her products, I admit to running out and forgetting to place an order so I have to go to the drugstore, sometimes I discover something I really like and keep using it, by embracing her philosophy, I am now armed with the information I need to select a well-formulated product. The optimum word here is “armed”, armed with knowledge, armed with useful information, armed with good advice, I use this in almost everthing I do, I “arm” myself with information via the internet, books, magazines, news articles, any number of ways to be informed and aware.
So I’ll happily admit to being a “shill” for Paula - maybe we should have T-shirts made…
I am a shill of Paula too! Proud to say it!!!! T-shirts would have been an excellent idea! hahahha! Lovely!
Excellent. Shill. I’ve learned a new word today. But what a shame that this person took your personal views and had to make that comment. I’ve only recently joined your AGT website and I love it because I’m interested in people’s experiences, views, suggestions etc because that’s how I am able to learn, grow, develop - and this gives me more choices and options.
So thank-you for your website, thank-you for your comments and thank-you for not shrinking away. I’m looking forward to seeing who’s been invited to your next picnic!
I must say I giggled at that title! If there ever was something you ‘ain’t’ that would be it!
Knowing you for as long as I have and being aware of how much time and research you put into everything you purchase, especially make-up, it is absurd to the point of being hilarious. Hence the giggle.
I concede the view that someone not knowing you may make that assumption. The fact that the products you recommend or endorse are the most effective for your money and happen to be manufactured for the most part by the same company well there you go …automatic jump to that conclusion island.
I love Paula’s stuff. Have recommended it, will continue to do so. If that makes me a shill so be it…happy to oblige, especially if a friend is getting a good deal and an excellent product. Thanks Christine
NEWS FLASH…
I’m sure anyone who is a Paula’s Choice user has received the news that she now has “SPF 55″ Ultra Light Spray Lotion.” It’s on my list for the next time I place an order. Being in FL I can’t wait to try it out.
Hi, women!
Great, funny comments. Thanks for all of them.
T-shirts are brilliant. Wait! Ladies!! Earrings!! I see white gold hoops of a tasteful size, with 3 small dangling beads in colors coordinated with your season. Hmm, I believe there’s a jewelry designer among us…
I saw the Spray SPF Lotion on Paula’s site. Something I learned about the Weightless Finish Spray Sunscreen is that you have to be very careful where in the house you apply it. If it’s on a rug, it will leave an oily film on the rug. If it’s on a smooth floor, it will leave an oily film on the floor, and guaranteed the next kid ( or worse, your 80 year old aunt) coming through the kitchen will slip on it and land on their back. Then you’ll have to hear about how sunscreen is bad for the rest of the afternoon. If you apply it outside, no problem. Just one of those weird consumer observations.
My name is Andrea Hofer, I am the Social Media Manager for Paula’s Choice. I loved reading everyone’s comments about shilling for Paula, as I was a “shill” myself for years before recently being employed at Paula’s Choice. I spray my SPF oil on right before getting out of the shower. It keeps everything an an easy-to-clean location.
I would like to offer you and your readers a free two-day subscription to http://www.beautypedia.com, the online version of Paula’s book. It has over 40,000 cosmetic reviews and more are constantly being added. Just enter the promotion code “blogfree” when registering on beautypedia (no credit card required).
I wanted to share with you some of the new developments at Paula’s Choice:
• We have a page on facebook that I invite you to join, ?Paula’s Choice Skincare? at http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=25732041031#/pages/Paulas-Choice-Skincare/25732041031.
• I also invite you and your readers take our new survey about the blog we have in development and what it should focus on: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=cOCMLfoBYW_2bAr7Wg_2foQqcA_3d_3d
• If you would like to continue receiving Paula’s Choice updates via email please reply with the email address you would like to receive updates at.
Again, thanks for your blog post! If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact me at andreah@paulaschoice.com.
Thanks for this, Andrea,
I’ll post about your comment to direct everyone to read it.
Is there an expiry date on the offer?
Update: The 2-day http://www.beautypedia.com offer has in a sense expired, because we made the 2-day trial free for everyone visiting the site!