Riley and I had a good discussion about Jennifer Belle’s publicity stunt. (Read the previous post.) We considered what the world would be like if this kind of marketing became the norm. If you thought your interactions with strangers might be part of a marketing plan would you still talk to strangers? Would we grow to distrust every emotional expression or outburst? In today’s digital world, where human interaction is so valuable, is this phony laughter distasteful?
The thing is, this clever marketing idea did not have to be inauthentic. I have read many reviews that say this book is in fact laugh-out-loud funny. (I have it on request at the library and have not read it yet myself.) Jennifer Belle has two previous best selling novels. I am sure she has a following of loyal readers. Why not offer the book for free to 100 readers who agree to read the book in public places and express their emotional responses when they feel moved to do so? This would be a genuine approach. Her readers would be thrilled to be selected, and they would share their story over and over again. Conversations about the book would have been honest and real. I would guess that this approach that focuses on meaningful connections would have lead to more book sales without manipulating our interactions with one another.
