Learn To Use and Avoid “No”

While this relates directly to fundraising, it also applies to many other aspects of what you do everyday.  Most people feel the word “No!” is a direct rejection of themselves.

In reality what “No” usually means is “No, Not right now.”  If you ask a person to help you in a current or future fundraising project you can expect one of two responses.  The responses will ultimately be either “Yes” or “No.”

If the answer is “yes” that is the start of working with that person on your project.  If the answer is “no” remember it probably means  “No, Not right now”.  Perhaps your project’s timing conflicts with a vacation or family event.  It may be that they are just burned out on doing events at the present time.

The old saying is “If want something done find a busy person to do it.”  While there is a lot of truth to that saying, there are times when those same types of people know that they need to take a break from their hectic schedule.  If you ask them for help at that time they will have to say “No” and sometimes may even say “No, Not right now”, and offer a time in the future when they will be able to say, “Yes.”

Keep in mind that the real art to avoiding the word “No” is how you ask the question.  The way to ask for a opening in a schedule is to do just that.  I was wondering, when do you have a few days free (or open) in your schedule?

One strategy is to never ask a question that can be answered by a “No.”  There is a great sales story that illustrates this; Elmer Wheeler, a famous sales consultant, was hired to help a pharmacy improve their profits.  At the time it was common for pharmacies to serve food.  One of the most popular items served was malted milkshakes.  Wheeler observed that several customers were ordering malted milkshakes with an egg in it.  Even though this was extra the pharmacy wasn't charging any more. 

Wheeler advised the pharmacy not only that they charge extra "per egg", but servers were trained to ask customers whether they wanted "one egg or two".  Here's the genius in this:

1. Most customers did not order eggs, but when they did it ate into profits

2. Wheelers question caused the customers to make a choice and they almost always picked one (ordering no eggs was an option, just not stated)

Looking for fundraising help?  Give Sunset Coupons a call to find out how we can help. 

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Sunset Coupons, LLC
800-627-6340
http://sunsetcoupons.com