The Crazy Success of, I Want To Draw a Cat For You
When I first saw this video I was confused. Sure, the jingle was catchy and the editing was swell, but, was this guy for real? Did people actually buy his terrible drawings? He doesn’t do this for a living…does he? I decided to put on my investigative journalism hat and see if I couldn’t get some answers about this crazy cat guy. I went straight to the source.
Crazy Ways to Make Money
The crazy cat guy’s name is Steve Gadlin and he’s a Chicago-based comedian with a full-time gig as the manager of the web department for Weigel Broadcasting. His “I Want To Draw A Cat For You” campaign (if you can call it that) has been profiled on NBC Chigago, The Atlantic, WBEX 91.5, Yahoo!, and The Huffington Post. The whole thing wouldn’t have even taken off had it not been for Groupon.
“I’m always testing the limits of stupidity,” Gadlin says. “I wanted a very simple business that I could use to perform experiments in viral marketing an advertising. In May 2010, the jingle popped into my head and I turned the site around pretty quickly after that.”
He emailed Groupon.com, a deal-of-the-day website that is localized in major markets across the country. Groupon started in Chicago, and Gadlin completely expected to get a funny rejection letter for his cat drawings. But that’s not what happened.
Groupon thought his idea was brilliant, and sold his $9.95 cat stick figure drawing for $3 a piece on Cyber Monday. He sold 1,000 before shutting the deal down.
Success of the Crazy Cat Guy
“I’ve sold my cat drawings in most states, and in several countries,” Gadlin says. “They’re buying them as tributes to their pets. They’re buying them as gag gifts. Or they’re buying them to one-up each other in random, absurd drawing requests.”
All in all, Gadlin says he has pocketed around $5,000 from this project. “Cats are easy to draw,” he says. “A circle for a head, a couple of triangles for ears, etc.”
To fill his 1,000 cat drawing quota from his Groupon sale, Gadlin has been drawing cats in bunches. He’ll do a set in the morning and then again at night. Some are easy and take under 30 seconds to complete while some come with specific requests—like a skinny cat that is impressed with his top hat.
Create Demand with Creative Marketing
“I’ve learned a little creative marketing can create a demand where there was none,” Gadlin says. “If you put the right product in the right context, you can sell anything. Creativity and a little know-how can pay off.”
The success of the project has also given Gadlin a crash course in business, especially e-commerce. “I’m always involving myself in strange and creative projects,” he says. “The only difference with this one is that from time to time, I sit at the dinner table and draw stick figure cats for hours. I’m having a blast connecting with all of my customers.”
Gadlin, who truly is involved in all sorts of wacky comedic stuff in and around Chicago, won’t be making a living off of his cat drawings anytime soon—but he still wants to draw one for you. Check out his other projects at www.steev.org.
Over to You
There are lessons to be learned through fun experimentation in business. Have you tried anything wacky to earn some additional income as a freelancer? What wacky demand could you create with the skills you have? How might you use viral marketing creatively? We’d love to hear your crazy ideas below.
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That’s genius. He’s pocketed a few grand in the most ridiculous way possible, just by taking a few small risks and having a sense of humour.
Brilliant stuff!
This is my new favorite man! I love him. Thanks for sharing this article. I have to share with everyone now! woohooo!
Never underestimate the power of a catchy jingle!
Thanks so much for the fun article!! I appreciate the attention!
Such a primitive and straight add …balance between slavery and freelance..
That’s awesome I guess I need to just sell something regardless of if I am good at it or not.
Brilliant.
Wow, I have to say this guy is really creative and he is right if you can actually sell anything online if you market it right way.
Brilliant. The thing is, you never really know what’s going to work. I wonder how many ideas people didn’t bother with because they thought, “That will never fly, it’s too ridiculous!” Also, I like his cat drawings.
Brian
I’m so glad you all enjoyed this post! Steve was a lot of fun to interview. His success reminds me to push myself to think outside the box…
you really make a research huh.!!!
hehehehe…
This is one crazy dude – in a very very good, creatively awesome way. Thanks for showing this.
so crazy…
Gotta hand it to him, he worked the system and the dysfunctional society we live in…
Unbelievable! The people behavior is unpredictable:-) There are 10000 ideas and this one that have success? From this story i can think only this: No matter what is your idea, if you did not try it, you will never know if this idea was good or bad. Glad that there are people that try:-)
I never thought of this kind of thing to be done in a business., hahahaha that was fun.!
I hope he’ll make a cat for me., I assure him that if Ihve the money I’ll buy dozens.
I can’t still believe it…
Good job Mr. Gadlin and Ms. Melanie Brooks
I’ll be appearing on ABC’s Shark Tank TOMORROW! 8/7 Central! I’ll be pitching my cat drawing business to their panel of millionaires and billionaires.
Tune in!
Historical. You are a genius. Good luck.