Source: Ventachinkway in Reddit.com
There was a blind man begging on the street with a sign that said, “I am blind.” A savvy New York advertiser bet he could get more donations by adding just four words. He changed the sign to “It’s springtime and I’m blind.” The donations started pouring in.
This story reminds me of a Reddit post where someone shared a similar trick. Instead of a usual plea, the beggar had a sign asking, “Which Religion Cares the Most About the Homeless?” He placed nine bowls, each labeled with different religion.
This beggar played on human psychology, making people compare their beliefs. This motivated them to make donations.
Rather than focusing on what he wants, he tapped into what his audience wants.
This clever beggar played with people’s sense of identity and self-worth.People felt obliged to donate, fearing they would go against their own religious beliefs, particularly if they saw others from their religion giving money.
The beggar’s strategy was simple: decide what he wants and from whom. Then strategise about what makes others do what he wants them to do?
The beggar wanted charity. He also realised that compassion is the source of charity. By making it a competition between religions, he got people to donate more, as they wanted to show their faith was the most compassionate. This strategy worked because he made people act on their beliefs and feel good about themselves.
Moreover, people could see who was leading at any point during the day. They can donate money to the bowl displaying the name of their chosen faith if they wish it to appear more compassionate.
This story shows us that you may develop a winning strategy by knowing what you want and who you’re targeting. It’s all about tapping into what motivates people and making it easy for them to take action.
Thinking Outside the Box: How a Simple Sign Made a Big Difference