The Seattle tech scene, traditionally known for its focus on innovation and a somewhat detached approach to dating, is experiencing a surprising shift. Reid Miller, a 26-year-old Amazon software engineer, has launched a daring, and surprisingly effective, campaign to attract a date. This isn’t your typical swipe-right dating app approach; instead, Miller’s friends have orchestrated a guerrilla marketing operation centered around a series of meticulously crafted flyers, each designed to pique interest and subtly convey his qualities.
The flyers, printed on bright, eye-catching paper and distributed throughout the Ballard neighborhood where Miller resides, are a deliberate and humorous rejection of the often-sterile environment of modern dating. Each flyer features a picture of Miller alongside a list of qualities he’s positioning himself as – ‘Above average looking! Employed! Fun, adventurous, and supportive!’ – delivered with a lighthearted, almost self-aware, tone. The campaign began with a simple QR code leading to the website DateReid.com, a platform designed to connect potential matches.
In a city often characterized by a ‘Seattle freeze’ – a cultural climate that tends to prioritize innovation and a certain level of detachment – the flyer campaign represents a genuine attempt to put oneself out there, a conscious decision to disrupt the established dating landscape. ‘I had no idea it would be a flyer, a website, all that,’ Miller explained to GeekWire, adding that he was in a bar when someone showed him a picture. ‘I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s me!’ But I’m taking it pretty seriously.’
The mastermind behind this endeavor is Bryn Lloyd-Davies, also a tech professional and dating Miller’s best friend, Eric. They’ve been monitoring Miller’s journey in the dating world, recognizing the challenges he’s faced in navigating post-breakup dating, a situation that’s become increasingly difficult in recent years. Lloyd-Davies stated, ‘We made the website because he and Eric have an adorable bromance going on, and we joke that I’m trying to find a girlfriend for my boyfriend’s boyfriend.’
The campaign’s success is largely attributed to the playful and slightly ironic nature of the flyer design. The website’s homepage explicitly asks women if they’re ‘looking for the real deal,’ and the about page delves into Miller’s Wisconsin roots and his education at the other UW while also listing his sporty pursuits – including competitive water skiing, snow skiing, rock climbing, and restaurant and brewery hopping. The site features a series of photos of Miller doing these activities, creating a visually engaging and approachable persona.
Since the initial launch, the website has attracted a significant number of applications – at least 13 in the past month – exceeding the initial expectation of 75 views in a single day. Lloyd-Davies reports that the website went from a previous high of about 75 views in a single day to more than 3,000 by Thursday afternoon. Miller, who works on AWS networking at Amazon, acknowledges that leading with a tech background doesn’t always yield instant bonus points on a date, but he emphasizes that he intends to honor the effort of anyone who takes the time to put themselves out there, read every application, and treat everybody with respect. He’s emphasizing that dating’s a numbers game, so he’s aiming to look for what he’s looking for, but also make sure we both leave it happy.
The application process itself is surprisingly robust, requiring women to fill out an ‘application form’ via the website, which asks questions about their employment status, how adventurous they are on a scale of 1 to 5, and whether they have any dealbreakers when it comes to a significant other. Several women have also uploaded photos, as the site’s terms of service state, ‘Looks aren’t everything but let’s be real, attraction is important!’
Miller, who has been dating Miller for four years, states that while he’s an experienced software engineer, he’s focused on finding someone who values genuine connection and character over superficial qualities. He’s looking for a ‘golden retriever energy’, emphasizing the importance of someone who is outgoing and confident. As for what comes next, Miller is keeping an open mind and preparing to sort through the incoming responses. He emphasizes that he intends to honor the effort of anyone who takes the time to put themselves out there, read every application, and treat everybody with respect. He said, ‘Dating’s a numbers game, so I appreciate it. My whole goal is to look for what I’m looking for, but also make sure we both leave it happy.’
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Source: Tech
