If you could get people to do stuff, what is the stuff that you would get people to do?
I’m working on my next book (due out on February 2013), How To Get People To Do Stuff. I have a long list of “stuff” that I think my readers would like to know how to get people to do, but I’d like to hear from my readers about what stuff you would be interested in getting people to do.
Here are a few things I have on my list:
- Buy a product
- Sign up online
- Donate money
- Donate time
- Take initiative
- Pay attention
- Meet deadlines
- Do a task more carefully
But I’d like to know what YOUR list would look like. Write your ideas in the comments of this blog, or send me an email at: thebrainlady@gmail.com
Thanks in advance for your help!
This already looks like a good list. How about “Advocate a product or service (be a returning customer)”
Vote. How about just to get people to vote?
Hey, Susan.
I am very interested in ways to motivate people to live healthier lifestyles. I don’t think anyone’s figured that out yet.
Ask for help if they need it.
How to get children to do homework when they don’t have great home support.
How to get 17 year olds to work using new routines consistently when more casual working methods have brought them exam success in less demanding courses just a year earlier.
How to get intelligent children who have been told that they can achieve anything to differentiate between potential and capability and so have a reason to take a more thoughtful, focused and diligent approach to preparing for their exams.
Pay your taxes fairly.
Consider the other side of an argument (and even dare to imagine that your interlocutor may *not* be a f’ing idiot just for having a different opinion!).
Do what you consider to be the right thing, not just follow the mob.
Leave the car at home for short journeys.
Oh, and “File a useful bug report, dammit” … but that’s probably a bit too much of a stretch goal :)
Tell us what they like/what we got right, so we can do more of it/not mess it up. we tend to only hear about stuff that went wrong, which is fair enough – it’s easier to spot.
How to give orders!!!! inner a company
Modify their opinion about a subject.
Improve their skills.
Abandon a bad habit.
Overcome a fear (of flying, …)
It may be an idea to include a section about children and teenagers.
Pick up litter in the company parking lot, throw away trash in the cafeteria, and all sorts of other disappointments that are chalked up to “the tragedy of the commons.”
Sign up for a loyalty program
Hold a conversation, read a book, and go out on a date.
Leave personal details when they are needed for account security. Like second email and/or phone number to recover lost password for an email service.
I think that you are very skilled in “How To Get People To Do Stuff”! We all need to realize that the way your request is worded has gotten us to eagerly respond with helpful ideas !!! LOL :D
Hidden agenda?
I’d like people to:
give me a good price
hire me (as a contractor)
call me only at certain times and not others
give me advice in their areas of expertise [Answer: rule of reciprocity]
help out in a neighbourly way when needed [ditto]
Be more effective
Hi,
The thing I’d like to know how to get people to do the most is to ENGAGE online. I can never get people to comment on things. Even ‘liking’ or ‘favoriting’ something is an effort it seems. How do we get people to participate in social conversations or engage online?
How to get kids to get off the computer/phone/video game and start interacting with their peers face to face?
So much texting these days, I think our kids have forgotten how to speak.
Hi Susan:
Convince children and adults that mastery is valuable. Many worthwhile skills require time, attention, and commitment.
Teach people the value of listening. Authentic listening is rewarding because it helps us open our mind and shift our thinking.
Eric
I often find that building trust is a major goal of the websites I’m working with. How to get people to trust you or your website would be a great topic.
How to get people to agree with you and like you. Both as a person and as a company/brand.
Also how to get people to follow you (not social media ‘follow’).