Do you know about the psychological principle of commitment and consistency?
If not, heres what it means:
Once a person commits to an action (no matter how small) that person feels compelled to continue to act consistently with that initial action.
But so what? How can you use commitment and consistency to generate cash flow into your business?
There are as many ways as your imagination can stretch.
But heres one particularly effective way I've used the commitment & consistency principle with a prospective client for my copywriting services.
The prospective client contacted me and said he was eager to hire me but he wouldn't be able to scrape my fee together for another 4-weeks or so.
He said, "Is that cool?"
I said, "Ok, but I am extremely busy so if you want me to take you for "real" theres a couple things you need to do:
1). Package up the product you want me to write for and ship it to me.
2). Send me a cheque for 20 pounds but DON'T make it out to my name. Instead make it out to Blankety-Blank charity; and I'll forward the cheque on to the charity on your behalf."
Why did I do this?
Not because I wanted to study his product (12 Internet Marketing DVDs) whilst waiting for my copywriting fee to arrive.
Also, notice I didn't ask him to make out a cheque to me. That would have made me look like a cheapskate only after his money. Instead, I asked him to make it out to a local charity I support.
So, let's examine what happened:
I got him to commit to hiring me by sending me the product.
I also got him to commit to hiring me by sending a nominal amount of 20 pounds - which I forwarded onto a charity. This also leads to the consistency principle of him sending me my copywriting fee (i.e., I got him into the process of sending me money).
Also, by telling the prospective client the money was going to a charity - it made it very difficult for him to decline without losing face. As my fee for his project was multiple thousands of pounds; if he backed out from sending 20 he'd be proving (by his actions) he wasnt serious.
Long story short
The prospective client DID happily send his product and charitable donation; he DID hire me; he DID pay my full fee; and he WAS very happy with the results I produced for him.
I think the above illustrates a good lesson for any consultant / coach / copywriter etc., who has been let down by prospective clients who say theyre for real but, only -
Just string you along.
The answer:
Get them to send you a cheque (for a small amount of your fee) made out to a local charity of your choice.
That will weed out the talkers from the doers.
Try it and see!
Anyway hope you start to think about how you can use the psychological principle of commitment and consistency to your advantage to get paid in your business.
Warmly,
Michael Silk. The Cash Flow Generator. - 16069
If not, heres what it means:
Once a person commits to an action (no matter how small) that person feels compelled to continue to act consistently with that initial action.
But so what? How can you use commitment and consistency to generate cash flow into your business?
There are as many ways as your imagination can stretch.
But heres one particularly effective way I've used the commitment & consistency principle with a prospective client for my copywriting services.
The prospective client contacted me and said he was eager to hire me but he wouldn't be able to scrape my fee together for another 4-weeks or so.
He said, "Is that cool?"
I said, "Ok, but I am extremely busy so if you want me to take you for "real" theres a couple things you need to do:
1). Package up the product you want me to write for and ship it to me.
2). Send me a cheque for 20 pounds but DON'T make it out to my name. Instead make it out to Blankety-Blank charity; and I'll forward the cheque on to the charity on your behalf."
Why did I do this?
Not because I wanted to study his product (12 Internet Marketing DVDs) whilst waiting for my copywriting fee to arrive.
Also, notice I didn't ask him to make out a cheque to me. That would have made me look like a cheapskate only after his money. Instead, I asked him to make it out to a local charity I support.
So, let's examine what happened:
I got him to commit to hiring me by sending me the product.
I also got him to commit to hiring me by sending a nominal amount of 20 pounds - which I forwarded onto a charity. This also leads to the consistency principle of him sending me my copywriting fee (i.e., I got him into the process of sending me money).
Also, by telling the prospective client the money was going to a charity - it made it very difficult for him to decline without losing face. As my fee for his project was multiple thousands of pounds; if he backed out from sending 20 he'd be proving (by his actions) he wasnt serious.
Long story short
The prospective client DID happily send his product and charitable donation; he DID hire me; he DID pay my full fee; and he WAS very happy with the results I produced for him.
I think the above illustrates a good lesson for any consultant / coach / copywriter etc., who has been let down by prospective clients who say theyre for real but, only -
Just string you along.
The answer:
Get them to send you a cheque (for a small amount of your fee) made out to a local charity of your choice.
That will weed out the talkers from the doers.
Try it and see!
Anyway hope you start to think about how you can use the psychological principle of commitment and consistency to your advantage to get paid in your business.
Warmly,
Michael Silk. The Cash Flow Generator. - 16069
About the Author:
Michael Silk is an established expert in helping business owners, service providers and copywriters generate additional cash flow into their business. For a limited time you can get a FREE copy of Michael's course, Advanced Internet Cash Flow Strategies. Just click on: how to trigger fast cash flow surge into your business.
