Have you heard about the psychological principle of commitment and consistency?
If not, heres what it boils down to:
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's many ways.
But here's just one 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 for my copywriting services but he wouldnt 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 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 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 in my name. That would have made me look like a money hungry cheapskate. 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 20.00 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 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.
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 illustrates a good lesson for any consultant / coach / copywriter etc., whose been let down by prospective clients who say they're serious but, only...
End up stringing you along.
The solution:
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!
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.
Sincerely,
Michael Silk. The Cash Flow Generator. - 17943
If not, heres what it boils down to:
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's many ways.
But here's just one 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 for my copywriting services but he wouldnt 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 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 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 in my name. That would have made me look like a money hungry cheapskate. 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 20.00 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 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.
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 illustrates a good lesson for any consultant / coach / copywriter etc., whose been let down by prospective clients who say they're serious but, only...
End up stringing you along.
The solution:
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!
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.
Sincerely,
Michael Silk. The Cash Flow Generator. - 17943
About the Author:
Michael Silk is an established expert in helping business owners, service providers and coaches generate additional cash flow into their business. For a restricted 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.
