Extending the Idea

Economies of scale apply to paraphenalia other than signs. Consider the table below:

Quantity	500	1000	2500	5000	10000
Bumper Stickers 3"x11.5"	$150, $0.30/unit	$195, $0.20/unit	$315, $0.13/unit	$555, $0.11/unit	$890, $0.09/unit
Pencils	$95, $0.19/unit	$156, $0.16/unit	$350, $0.14/unit	$660, $0.13/unit	$1250, $0.12/unit

It was for this reason that I bought 2500 bumper stickers to give out at the 1999 hemp ralley in DC instead of the 1000 or less that actually got given out. I have never regretted that decision. The bumper stickers have made great handouts ever since. See the picture below for the bumper sticker layout. It follows the same pattern as the signs.

The Halloween Pencil Project

Walking neighborhoods to leave brochures on doors is a time consuming process. And many of the brochures are thrown out anyway. However, there is a special night of the year when the neighborhood comes to you. And this night comes just before the general election.

I refer, of course, to Halloween.

Of course, putting brochures in Halloween bags results in some confused looks on the part of the kiddies, even when bribed with chocolate. And much of our propaganda (including the World's Smallest Political Quiz) has too much in the way of adult themes.

But pencils are a suitable message. And they are a good place to put a message relevant to kids: "Sell the Schools!" (Vote Libertarian). This should appeal the the imp within. But better make the parents happy by adding a wholesome message: "For Prayer in PRIVATE Schools" (www.LP.org 800-ELECT-US).

As an experiment I tried this during the 1999 Halloween. I ordered a 1000 pencils and parceled out batches of roughly 50 to activists who lived in child-dense neighborhoods. The results:

"Mommy, look! I got a pencil!"

This is an actual quote. I had figured that bribery with much chocolate would be needed to keep the kids happy with their propaganda item. But many if not most seemed more happy with the pencils than with the candy that went with it. Explanation: marginal utility. The kids were sated on candy but not on pencils. I still suggest some candy with the pencils, but the pencils themselves were very well received. Many other activists noted similar phenomenon.

Semi-important tip: go with round pencils, they win pencil fights and thus last longer. Also, rolling around draws attention to the pencil.

Another important tip: divvy up the pencils in person at meetings. The pencils come in boxes of 250 and repackaging is time-consuming. I suggest that anyone reselling pencils do a 250 minumum order. Let local affiliates break up the orders.