Update:

Here's Bill at work in the snow (he fell over due to high winds, so I propped him back up - but that's why there's birdseed all over his face!).

Today I went outside to see if it would work. I closed the feeders per the instructions, but I was lazy, so I merely pulled up a chair next to Bill, put seed in my (gloved) hand and waited. I didn't think it would work, honestly, because I wasn't following the directions closely at all, but... in about 5 minutes, a chickadee was eating from my hand! Then another 10 minutes later, a titmouse did the same thing. Next time I go out, I'll bring the tripod and a remote so I can document it. :)