Daily Life WellnessHealth, Fitness & Life Wellness for the Average Joe

OK — veering way off the health & wellness topic today…

The whole sell-me-something-as-I’m-walking-in-and-out-of-the-supermarket thing bothers me.

It doesn’t bother me that kids are trying to sell me something — I don’t mind that.

And I’m not against girl scout cookies or supporting the local soccer team or whatever. We buy loads of girl scout cookies.

What bothers me is the way it’s done — because it’s not effective, and that’s my issue. The kids aren’t to blame. They’re just acting at the direction of parents and/or organizers.

This is the perfect example of the “because it’s always been done this way” line of thinking. So…

Here are two ideas for immediate improvement:

First, as I’m walking into the store, instead of going into a long story about supporting this or that — just ask me this:

“Hi, would you like a FREE cookie?” (Should be a no-brainer if you’re selling girl scout cookies.)

Then, when I inevitably take you up on the offer, you can ask me to support whatever you’re selling. (Of course you have to actually give me a cookie, or something else of perceived value.) It’s the law of reciprocity at work. You give me something for free…and I feel obligated to help you. Plus, you have my attention — and it’s much more difficult to say “no” (or ignore you) if I’m engaged with you.

But you have to ask me once we’re engaged — and that’s the second tip. If you want me to buy something…you have to ask me. Don’t assume that just because you’re standing there with a sign and a tin can for donations that I’m going to give you anything.

While I’ve never tested this out, my guess is that you would triple (at least) your sales. Triple. Why? Because some of the people that are ignoring you — or politely refusing — will absolutely take you up on a free cookie offer.

I’m amazed that I’ve never seen this in action before.

Don’t believe me? Then I challenge you to prove me wrong.

If you’re organizing one of these sales drives…give it a shot…then let me know how it goes. You have absolutely nothing to lose — except maybe the cost of a few boxes of cookies to give out. It’s likely you would dwarf your previous sales records.

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First…an apology. I totally missed the Friday Link Typhoon last week. We’ve had some family-related health issues to manage over here, and, bluntly, I’ve needed to devote the bulk of my time elsewhere.

I hope to back at the Link Typhoon this week.

That said, we have some updating to do over here at the DLW.

First, if you’re a regular at the DLW you’ll know I was training for a 5-mile race recently. Well, the race was yesterday and it went better than I expected.

My training run times were averaging about 44-45 minutes to complete the 5 miles…and I finished the race in 41 minutes and 33 seconds.

I knew I would probably run a bit faster on the big day (race day excitement, competition, etc.), but I didn’t expect to shave 3 minutes off my time. Definitely happy…and I’ll probably run it again next year. I’m very sore today, though.

Next up: I’ve added a Posterous Blog to this whole DLW juggernaut. It won’t be replacing this blog, of course, but I will be using it as a sort of “news snippet” and “brief random thoughts” feeder, if that makes any sense. It’s connected to my Twitter and Facebook accounts, among others, and is far-reaching in terms of connecting with the far-flung DLW tribe.

Check it out and subscribe, if you’re so inclined. Or just follow along on Twitter and/or Facebook and you’ll get all the updates there.

Just another way of spreading the DLW word.

That’s all for today.

-Mike