I spent a few hours today watching and photographing the famous Naked Cowboy. In Times Square these days, there are so many street vendors and buskers that it'd be impossible to walk through without encountering some Disney creature dress-up or another. So, someone dressed as a Naked Cowboy shouldn't really be all that different or special from the other spectacles in Times Square.
But after watching the Naked Cowboy for a few moments, I quickly realized how different he was from all the other street peddlers - because he was incredibly business savvy and hard-working. I was learning from him and admiring his strategy the longer I watched.
After watching him, I learned his strategies for consistently getting money:
1- He always kept moving. If a minute or two went by where the crowd was dead or at a lull, he'd move to another part of Times Square. And even when he was in one general area, he was always pacing and moving - looking out for people who was interested in him.
2- The second someone started looking at him or taking a photo from afar, he instantly posed for their photo and sometimes signaled them over to get in the photo with him. But by posing, he was luring them in to give him a few dollars afterwards.
3- He was always strumming his guitar and playing upbeat songs - maximizing his approachability. He looked fun!
4- He didn't mesh with the other street vendors. Many of the other characters chatted amongst each other to pass the time - which made themselves less approachable bc they were all huddled together. The Naked Cowboy was always on his own, looking for tourists.
5- Sponsorships. The postcards he gave out were sponsored and branded. His underwear was branded. His guitar promoted his wine you could buy online. Diversified revenue streams.
I was impressed by the business-savvy of this street busker - but I guess you'd have to be to become as well known for being naked as he is.
But after watching the Naked Cowboy for a few moments, I quickly realized how different he was from all the other street peddlers - because he was incredibly business savvy and hard-working. I was learning from him and admiring his strategy the longer I watched.
After watching him, I learned his strategies for consistently getting money:
1- He always kept moving. If a minute or two went by where the crowd was dead or at a lull, he'd move to another part of Times Square. And even when he was in one general area, he was always pacing and moving - looking out for people who was interested in him.
2- The second someone started looking at him or taking a photo from afar, he instantly posed for their photo and sometimes signaled them over to get in the photo with him. But by posing, he was luring them in to give him a few dollars afterwards.
3- He was always strumming his guitar and playing upbeat songs - maximizing his approachability. He looked fun!
4- He didn't mesh with the other street vendors. Many of the other characters chatted amongst each other to pass the time - which made themselves less approachable bc they were all huddled together. The Naked Cowboy was always on his own, looking for tourists.
5- Sponsorships. The postcards he gave out were sponsored and branded. His underwear was branded. His guitar promoted his wine you could buy online. Diversified revenue streams.
I was impressed by the business-savvy of this street busker - but I guess you'd have to be to become as well known for being naked as he is.
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