Make It About Them.

Today's Marketing Cookie emphasizes the power of community engagement.

When I began writing these marketing cookies daily, they were inspired by the fortunes from cookies I personally opened. Then, on April 18th, 2012, my friend Jerry Varner from Richmond, VA, sent me a photo of his fortune after dining at a Chinese restaurant. The fortune read, "A cheerful letter or message is on its way to you." This gesture was truly heartwarming, showing support for my project and validating my efforts.

I decided to feature Jerry's fortune in the blog, including his photo and a brief bio, instead of opening my own cookie. Soon after, people from around the world started sending me photos of their fortunes. Eleven months later, I've received hundreds of crowd-sourced fortunes, highlighting them on the blog and various social media platforms.

Writing daily blogs based on the fortunes from others means every post begins with THEM. I consider my daily fortune contributors as "cookie partners," allowing them to set the theme for each day. Their effort in sharing a fortune photo is significant, and I aim to make them proud of the Marketing Cookie associated with their name.

While my posts reflect my personal principles and values, I always hope my cookie partners appreciate the message. Understanding that not all opinions and stories will resonate with everyone, I strive for positivity, thoughtfulness, and reasonableness in expressing my convictions. My goal is for every cookie partner to find something in the writing they can endorse and share.

This project has led to many new friendships, and the Marketing Cookie journey has been incredible. If you're considering embarking on a venture as today's fortune suggests, "Ask a friend to join you on your next voyage," I recommend letting them steer and doing your utmost to enhance their experience. You'll be amazed at where it can lead you.