When I was 16, I got a job in the newspaper «Evening Moscow». A newspaper seller at the metro station.
The payment was piecework, depending on the number of publications sold.
The point was new, so when I set up, I was told that I would have to shout to find buyers.
I didn’t know how to shout, so on the first day I sold only two or three newspapers.
In addition, there were interesting, but expensive magazines in my service bag, which I was also shy to offer.
Realizing that I would not earn money this way, I started training in the evening after work.
Do you remember «The Little Ragamuffin», where Jimmy screamed at night, dreaming of becoming a «barker»?
So I remembered.
All evening I shouted in front of the mirror: — «The newspaper Vechernaya Moskva, the magazine «Expert», the newspaper «Work and Salary»… In general, I trained and developed confidence.
The parents twirled their finger at the temple, but did not interfere.
The next day, inspired by an imaginary success, I set to work.
Imagining myself, no less, as poor Jimmy from the «Little Ragamuffin», I overcame my fear and began to scream, as it seemed to me, at the top of my voice.
Five minutes later, the policemen came up to me.
We checked the documents, they were in order.
And we bought the most expensive magazine.
Then I got carried away.
I shouted so that passers-by shied away at the exit of the transition, and the grannies clutched at their hearts.
He screamed until he was hoarse and had a rapid heartbeat.
I screamed as if my life depended on it.
- «Vecheernyayaya Moskvaaaa, Expeeeeert, rabooota and zarplaaaaata!» — was carried around the neighborhood.
Oddly enough, this has borne fruit.
By the evening, I had sold almost all the newspapers, about half of the magazines and some souvenirs.
Satisfied with myself, I drove home and looked forward to earning even more the next day.
And then another.
And more.
I’ll become a millionaire.
I’ll buy the newspaper.
I will become a successful entrepreneur and my parents will be proud of me.
The next day I was hoarse.
My attempts to shout something sounded something like this: «Asssweet sssssssssuuuuutrrraa of ssilva», — like, a barely audible hissing whistle.
To my surprise, I sold half of the newspapers and a few magazines.
It turns out that it is convenient for people who live nearby to buy newspapers and magazines on the way home.
They greeted each other, talked, were interested in sales and bought.
Having stopped hissing, I began to yell with less force, but with the same intensity.
There were more customers every day.
I was given a second bag, with wheels, so that I could take more press on shift.
My business ended unexpectedly.
In the middle of the second month, when I had about a hundred regular customers, the coordinator called me.
- «Vipman84, well done, you’re working well. Such valuable employees should not disappear, so we are putting you on a new point, and we will give yours to Ivanova. And then she does not know how to do this, and everyone wants to earn money. Don’t worry, you’ll find customers quickly, a capable boy.»
-«And so that your experience is not wasted, this is Alexander, he will stand with you on the point. We need to teach him everything so that he sells like you. Well, while you are together, you will divide the payment for two.»
The next morning, the coordinator wondered for a long time why I decided to quit my job so abruptly.
But the decision was made, and a day later I already found a new one — a courier for the delivery of printed products.
I sold books on the street.
But this is a completely different story.