Have you heard about the psychological principle of commitment and consistency?
If not, heres what it boils down to:
Once a person commits to an action (no matter how small) that person feels compelled to continue to act consistently with that initial action.
So what? How can you use commitment and consistency to generate an income stream into your business?
There's many ways.
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, "Sure, but I am very busy and so if you want me to take you seriously theres a couple things you need to do:
1). Ship me the product you want me to write for.
2). Send me a cheque for 20 pounds but DONT make it out to my name. Instead make it out to charity of my choosing; and I'll forward the cheque on to the charity on your behalf."
Why do this?
Not because I wanted to look over 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 his product.
I also got him to commit to hiring me by sending a nominal amount of 20 pounds - which I "redirected" onto a local charity. This also leads to the consistency principle of him paying me my copywriting fee (i.e., I got him into the action of sending me money).
Also, by saying the money was going to a charity - it made it very difficult for the prospective client 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.
Anyway, to sum up
The prospective client DID send his product and charitable donation; he DID hire me; he DID pay my full multi-thousand pound fee; and he WAS very happy with the results I produced for him.
I think the above demonstrates a good lesson for any coach / copywriter / consultant etc., whose been let down by prospective clients who say theyre serious but -
End up stringing 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 be like a "lie test" you can use on any prospective client who says they're serious about hiring you but it will be a while before they can get the money together to pay your fee.
Try it next time you you have a prospective client who makes all the right "noises" but has an excuse why he or she can't pay you for a while!
Anyway hope you start thinking about how you can use the psychological principle of commitment and consistency to your advantage in your business.
Sincerely,
Michael Silk. The Cash Flow Generator. - 15431
If not, heres what it boils down to:
Once a person commits to an action (no matter how small) that person feels compelled to continue to act consistently with that initial action.
So what? How can you use commitment and consistency to generate an income stream into your business?
There's many ways.
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, "Sure, but I am very busy and so if you want me to take you seriously theres a couple things you need to do:
1). Ship me the product you want me to write for.
2). Send me a cheque for 20 pounds but DONT make it out to my name. Instead make it out to charity of my choosing; and I'll forward the cheque on to the charity on your behalf."
Why do this?
Not because I wanted to look over 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 his product.
I also got him to commit to hiring me by sending a nominal amount of 20 pounds - which I "redirected" onto a local charity. This also leads to the consistency principle of him paying me my copywriting fee (i.e., I got him into the action of sending me money).
Also, by saying the money was going to a charity - it made it very difficult for the prospective client 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.
Anyway, to sum up
The prospective client DID send his product and charitable donation; he DID hire me; he DID pay my full multi-thousand pound fee; and he WAS very happy with the results I produced for him.
I think the above demonstrates a good lesson for any coach / copywriter / consultant etc., whose been let down by prospective clients who say theyre serious but -
End up stringing 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 be like a "lie test" you can use on any prospective client who says they're serious about hiring you but it will be a while before they can get the money together to pay your fee.
Try it next time you you have a prospective client who makes all the right "noises" but has an excuse why he or she can't pay you for a while!
Anyway hope you start thinking about how you can use the psychological principle of commitment and consistency to your advantage in your business.
Sincerely,
Michael Silk. The Cash Flow Generator. - 15431
About the Author:
Michael Silk is a recognised expert in guiding entrepreneurs, service providers and copywriters generate additional cash flow into their business. For a limited time you can get a COMPLIMENTARY copy of Michael's manifesto, Advanced Internet Cash Flow Strategies. Just click on: how to trigger fast cash flow surge into your business.
