Understand Your Buyer > How People Work > I’ll wait while you do it

 

What is it?

If you want someone to do something, you can catch them in a politness trap by telling them you’re happy to wait whilst they complete the task.

 

Why does it work?

It works because of politeness. If someone offers to wait whilst you send and email or take another small action, it’s tricky to come up with a good enough excuse on the spot as to why you aren’t happy to do it now.

 

How can you use it?

The next time you need someone to undertake a simple action but you aren’t sure if they will do it, whilst on the phone or a Zoom with them – or even in a DM chat – you can

• Sending an email
• Submitting some details
• Confirming they have received your email
• Checking a detail
• Sending a payment (this one is easier for them to excuse themselves from)

 

Example

I was joining an online program and in the DMs the person selling the program to me sent the payment link and then this message below. I found myself feeling obliged to pay there and then rather than later in the day when I had planned.

 

See also

• The Price of Polite
• Cats Paw

 

 

 

 

 

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