No Clowning Around Reciprocating

Years ago fund-raising for the local minor hockey association, it was quickly discovered people don’t like or do have a hard time asking people for money.

It was always a head scratcher, because how else would the money come in quickly in a short period if no body was asking – selling tickets?

Sure some worked their buts off asking  first time buyers. However, the asking got awkward selling to the same people over and over in a small town.

At four in the after noon, I showed up in the small hallway of the hardware and grocery store dressed up as a clown. Complete with white-painted face and big red smiling lips.

The challenge was asking people to help the local minor hockey association raise money, if they would buy a raffle ticket to win a snow-machine.

Small town, so 90% of the people asked to give money had been asked before, or had bought 1 or 2 ten-dollar tickets already.

The happy clown worked hard selling tickets.

But… you know what?   There is a simpler way.

You need to know. It’ll zero you in on your prospects quicker and saving you from painting a clown face on you. Though it’s a lot of fun with a permanent smile on your face, because people are always smiling with you.

Back in the early 70’s in the airports or by the subway entrance 1, 2 or 5 people would great you with a smile and a flower. Handing you the flower. “Yours to keep”, rings as you as you take the flower. A gift. Free flower.

Then the person asks you for a donation.

Yes, here’s a couple of dollars.

You feel compelled you must reciprocate give something. Or lose the flower. What many people did, trashing the flower into the first trash bin they saw.

Not a problem for the group as they would rescue the trashed flowers from the garbage can, recycling the flowers back as free gifts.

Giving away free gifts brings money back to you

The group’s interest is giving flowers away as a free gift to you because their head understood reciprocity. Giving something free to someone and they will feel they must reciprocate back to you.  Why when many were asked to give, they gave spare change or a couple of dollars – for a ten cent flower – gift.

It works the same way sending Christmas cards. Mail a bunch of cards, then sit back and watch how many send you a card. Or will pick up the phone calling you to say hi. That’s reciprocity in action.

Take this and start using reciprocity in your business and copywriting. Look around, finding what you can give away for free. Must be of value to your prospect. If not, why would your prospect want to reciprocate, giving you cash for their purchase if you’re reciprocating –  giving them junk?

Free articles or a $19 or $39 free report helping your prospect solve some immediate problem is a good ‘Free Flower’ start.

Go now. Get starting the reciprocating wheels in motion deep in your prospects head… Get them saying…“Gotta buy something from you… same value or more because you gave me a free gift worth money.” Reciprocating in action.

Jim MacDonald