Tweet

4 Steps in Getting a Big "Yes" to a Big Request

Guest post by: Stefan Doering

Article Overview: Asking big favors or requests of people can be intimidating and difficult. Here are the 4 steps in asking UnReasonable requests in most business and personal situations, and have the person want to help you in return.

4 Steps in Getting a Big "Yes" to a Big Request

I remember a year-and-a-half ago I was in a real jam. I was in LA at a major event where I was to present on stage that evening.

And my suit was a mess with stains from a drink someone spilled on me at a different event the day before.

I ran downstairs and asked Louise the concierge if the hotel could clean and press it... before my presentation that evening. I had no time to take care of it myself.

Louise first chuckled and said, they did not offer same day dry cleaning services. And there was no way they could do this for me.

I not only got the hotel to do it for me, but they were glad to have helped.

Here are the 4 steps in asking UnReasonable requests in most business and personal situations, and have the person want to help you:

Step 1: Acknowledge You Are About to Ask an UnReasonable Request

Begin by letting the person know that you are about to ask a request out of the ordinary.

That it is not something you would normally ask and/or not something they would normally grant or accept. For example, you want to ask Frank, who is very well connected in your industry, to refer a client to you. The challenge is you do not know Frank very well. In fact you just met him recently.

It is crucial to address Frank's skepticism before it addresses you.

For example, you say, "Frank, I know we just met recently and you probably do not feel comfortable doing what I am about to ask you. In fact, I know I probably would not either."

Step 2: Make It Easy For Them to Say "No"

By eliminating the pressure of them feeling they will disappoint you if they do not comply, you are opening them up to really listen to what you are asking them to do.

Successfully done, you have gotten them to drop their guard.

The key here is to do this authentically. If you do this insincerely, it might become very uncomfortable for both of you.

In our example with Frank, you might say something like, "And I absolutely do not want you to feel uncomfortable or go to any trouble in doing this for me. It is really OK if you tell me it is too much to ask of you."

Step 3: Give Them a Good Reason to Grant Your Request

By understanding the impact of granting your request helps them want to assist you.

Everyone wants to feel appreciated for helping others. Be authentic and sincere in how their help would impact your life.

In our example with Frank: "But if you could it would help me get a serious start in the New York City market, and I will always remember you for that."

More than likely Frank is now really intrigued on what it is I would like him to do.

Step 4: Clearly Ask What You Want

Simply ask what you would like from them.

You then ask Frank, "I would love it if you could refer me to a great potential client in New York that I can use your name when calling."

In my experience, 9 out of 10 times they will do the favor or at least counter offer with something else they will do instead.

Back to my hotel experience. I was really in a bind and here is what I said:

"Louise, I am in a real jam and I know I am about to ask you an UnReasonable request. And I completely understand it is not your problem nor responsibility to help me.

"In fact, if it gets you into trouble or puts you in a bind, please do not do it.

"But if you could find a way to do it, you will help me hit a home run on my big presentation I have in a few hours. And I would be most grateful.

"Do you think you could find a way to get my suit dry cleaned and back to me before tonight?"

Before I knew it Louise had the hotel manager calling my cell phone telling me, "Don't worry Mr. Doering, I'd be happy to take care of this for you."

And then he personally drove my suit to a local dry cleaner and back in perfect shape... in 3 hours!

So the next time you an UnReasonable request, I suggest you try these four steps. You most likely will be happy with the results.

Related Articles
  Focus your marketing campaign on your offer
  When is a Short Request Not Rude?
  How to Setup an Income Tax Payment Plan
  Part 7: Funding Request
  “Stop Resisting and Start Reaping The Rewards of Referrals”
  Appealing Your Property Taxes
  Content Management
  How To Increase Your Opt-In Rate By 33%
  Ask All to Buy!
  How Do Websites Use Cookies
  Eight Steps to Creating a Powerful Request
  Getting Into Google News
  How To Field Others’ Pitches
  A SHORT PUBLIC RELATIONS CASE STUDY: LOSERS ALL ROUND
  The Best Bank Mortgage Rate In Canada
  A 7-Step Guide To Choosing The Best Bank Mortgage Rate In Canada
  What’s Your Small Business Guarantee?
  LETTING STUPIDITY GET IN THE WAY OF GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS
  How to Get More New Clients. Quickly. Easily. With No Cold Calling
  My Daughters Are So Pissed

Article Tags: big request, communicating effectively, getting what you want



Related Forum Posts
Don't give up 40%! - Congrats on this milestone Evan... I agree with outsourcing any function that makes the business owner a Front-line worker as this is not best use of your time. I also agree with Louis that 40% is too much to give up. 40% may work if you have surpassed your income goals from the website and after you pay the 40% you are still within your monthly income goals. Would an RFP/RFI (Request For Proposal/Information) to companies like this Website Sales Team be a call you need to make?
Re: The Best Method for Online Marketing - we must choose the most suitable one to use.. there are so many diffrent strategy here.. 1. Start with a web promotion plan and an effective web design and development strategy. 2. Get ranked at the top in major search engines, and practice good Search Optimization Techniques. 3. Learn to use Email Marketing Effectively. 4. Dominate your marketing niche with affiliate, reseller, and associate programs. 5. Request an analysis from an Internet marketing coach or Internet marketing consultant. 6. Build a responsive opt-in email list. 7. Publish articles or get listed in news stories. 8. Write and publish online press releases. 9. Facilitate and run contests and giveaways via your web site. 10. Blog and interact with your visitors.
Re: Drop out Billionaire - I reveived Bill Bartmann's DVD "9 Steps To Achieve Any Goal" as part of my monthly pack from Success University a few months back. It is a great presentation. I've watched it several times but not for a while so I'll view it again in the coming week. He is one of the greats. Like the best success mentors, he speaks with authority because he has come through much tribulation. His program sounds like a great bargain at $100 a year.
New Guy Here - Automobile Industry - Hi Everyone, My name is Ray and I work as a sales trainer in the automobile industry. I have just completed a new training curriculum for automobile salespeople in the industry. It is called The Baby Steps of Selling Automobiles. I am beginning my marketing efforts through press releases and seminar formats. I joined the community due to my continued desire to work independently creating my own happiness and growth. Thank you for having me and I look forward to more correspondence in the future.
Re: Success - I study success intently, and would like to share: Here's two excellent and nearly identical success-formulas from a couple of the world's masters. FIRST FORMULA: 1. Passionate Desire 2. Clear, Definite Purpose 3. Committed Decision 4. Take Action In Faith (Bonus Secret Sauce: 5. Repeat Consistently) I made a video about this, but am not allowed to link it yet. Google "Ryze Success Steps" for it. Oh, and this is Napoleon Hill's (Master Of Success Laws)'s Formula. SECOND FORMULA: 1. Passionate Desire 2. Understand It Is Already Done (Faith) 3. Relax & Allow It To Unfold (Go about your life calmly) This one is courtesy of Abraham-Hicks (inspiration for the movie The Secret). Hope that helps!


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Emotional Energy is Our Engine

The Strong Leadership Formula

Leader's Success Secret: Celebration

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.