Know about the psychological principle of commitment and consistency?
If not, heres what it means in a nutshell:
As soon a person commits to an action (no matter how tiny) that person feels compelled to continue to act consistently with that "first step" 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 alright?"
I said, "Sure, but I am extremely busy and so if you want me to take you seriously theres a couple things you need to do:
1). Package up and 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 did I do this?
Not because I wanted to look through his product (12 Internet Marketing DVDs) while awaiting 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 take a closer look at what really 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 20.00 pounds - which I sent onto a local charity. This also leads to the consistency principle of him sending me my copywriting fee (i.e., I got him into the "habit" 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 into the thousands of pounds; if he backed out from sending 20.00 he'd "show his hand" (by his actions) that he wasnt a serious prospect.
Anyway, to sum up
The prospective client DID happily ship his product and donation to the charity of my choosing; he DID hire me; he DID pay my full fee; and he WAS happy with the results my copywriting 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 -
Play you like a fool.
So the solution is:
Get them to commit to sending you a cheque (for a nominal amount of your fee) made out to a charitable donation 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 and see!
Anyway hope you start thinking about how you can use commitment and consistency to your advantage and profit in business.
Warmly,
Michael Silk. The Cash Flow Generator.
If not, heres what it means in a nutshell:
As soon a person commits to an action (no matter how tiny) that person feels compelled to continue to act consistently with that "first step" 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 alright?"
I said, "Sure, but I am extremely busy and so if you want me to take you seriously theres a couple things you need to do:
1). Package up and 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 did I do this?
Not because I wanted to look through his product (12 Internet Marketing DVDs) while awaiting 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 take a closer look at what really 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 20.00 pounds - which I sent onto a local charity. This also leads to the consistency principle of him sending me my copywriting fee (i.e., I got him into the "habit" 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 into the thousands of pounds; if he backed out from sending 20.00 he'd "show his hand" (by his actions) that he wasnt a serious prospect.
Anyway, to sum up
The prospective client DID happily ship his product and donation to the charity of my choosing; he DID hire me; he DID pay my full fee; and he WAS happy with the results my copywriting 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 -
Play you like a fool.
So the solution is:
Get them to commit to sending you a cheque (for a nominal amount of your fee) made out to a charitable donation 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 and see!
Anyway hope you start thinking about how you can use commitment and consistency to your advantage and profit in business.
Warmly,
Michael Silk. The Cash Flow Generator.
About the Author:
Michael Silk is a recognised expert in helping business owners, service providers and copywriters generate additional cash flow into their business. For a restricted time you can get a COMPLIMENTARY copy of Michael's guide, Advanced Internet Cash Flow Strategies. Just click on: how to trigger fast cash flow surge into your business.
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