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How To Get What You Want By Asking The Right Way

written by John Chow on April 8th, 2008

Have you ever asked for something and got rejected? A couple of friends wanted to attend Ad Tech in San Francisco next week but didn’t want to pay the $1,695 it takes to get a full conference pass. Since both friends ran blogs, I told them to email Ad Tech for a press pass. The friend with the bigger blog applied and was rejected. The friend with the smaller blog got approved within an hours of sending the email.

It’s All In How You Ask

Why was the bigger blog rejected and the smaller blog approved? The answer becomes clear once you read the emails each site wrote. Here is an excerpt from the bigger blog.

I was hoping I could receive a free press pass to the San Francisco Ad:tech conference. I am a web entrepreneur and blogger, and would be covering the event from my popular blog which has an RSS readership of over 1,400.

It will be my first conference ever attended, so I am a bit unsure as to how the process for press passes goes. Would I be correct so assume that it would be equivalent to the Full Conference Pass?

And here is an excerpt from the smaller blog.

Hello this is [insert name] from [insert blog] and I need a press pass to cover Ad:Tech. I was notified by ValueClick and Google about your show. They said we should check it out.

Our site covers [Insert fluff here]. See you in San Francisco.

The bigger blog made several mistakes. The first mistake was he wasn’t sure of himself. Instead of saying, “I need a press pass,” he was “hoping” he could receive one. His other mistakes were saying his blog was “personal” and admitting he was a trade show newbie.

Posture and Control

In the PR business, perception is everything and service will always go to the site or blog that the PR rep perceive as better for the show. If you come across as unsure of yourself or on the verge of begging, you can bet your bottom dollar you won’t be getting an invite. The last thing a PR rep wants to deal with is an inexperienced newbie at her show.

It’s all about posture and control. If you wanted to be treated like a somebody, then you have act like a somebody. While it might seem the best way to go about asking for something is to be really nice about it, in real life, being nice usually puts you in last place. This is not to say you should be mean. That would be stupid. What it does mean is you should project an image of good posture and control.

When I want something, I assume the position that I am going to get it without question. Instead of asking, can you, would you or could you, I like to say I require, send it to, put the following names on the list. People like to see confidences. It’s a natural magnate. An email that display it will always be put in front of an email that is timid. Keep that in mind the next you ask for something.

Monopowiki said on April 8th, 2008 at 10:16 pm

Thats pretty genius of the smaller blogger.

Being sure of yourself and properly portraying yourself in communications is more important than people realize.

Reply to this comment
SEO Optimization said on April 9th, 2008 at 4:43 am

I don’t know if it was genius, but definitively he knew what he wanted, what was he going to be doing from that free pass and what inspired him to get in the show.

Its not only in business, but even in real life, when you ask about something you should be convinced why you ask, why you need it and what are you going to do with it. If doubts take your control how can you convince the others?

Insightful example John ;)

Reply to this comment
Not John Chow said on April 10th, 2008 at 11:53 am

That’s right. Act like you belong, expect to belong and you will belong. As in all things, confidence is respected and responded to.

Reply to this comment
Nicholas James said on April 9th, 2008 at 7:07 am

Yes, especially as he claimed he/she “needed” the pass rather then saying he/she was “hoping” for a pass

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DeboHobo said on April 9th, 2008 at 10:20 am

Great post but not new news,

Reply to this comment
Hannah said on April 9th, 2008 at 5:56 pm

Nonetheless, people don’t necessarily know this is how to get ahead. The blog is about teaching and I’m sure this was a very useful blog post to many.

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MR. NICE GUY said on April 10th, 2008 at 7:26 am

That’s true. I’ve been a Journalist for more than 10 years. In order to convince a big company that you will be covering their event you should portray yourself as somebody who can do the job professionally. In this case the bigger blogs should pay respect to smaller blogs. Lol. Don’t underestimate the capacity of smaller blogs. Talk with confidence and be smart.

Reply to this comment
Hafiz Dhanani said on April 8th, 2008 at 10:18 pm

It seems like communication, networking, and knowing how to send a good email/write well are an important part of being an online entrepreneur.

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Monopowiki said on April 8th, 2008 at 10:42 pm

All those skills are pretty necessary of any entrepreneur. I guess many (most) online entrepreneurs assume they can drop those skills since they sit behind a computer?

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CarFan said on April 8th, 2008 at 11:12 pm

No one in this world can success without this skills… :grin:

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Terra Andersen said on April 9th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

This is not only true in the blog world, but very much in the business world as well! If I were to approach my clients saying that I was hoping to increase their profits, they’d give me the boot… and fast!

Great post! :mrgreen:

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Caren said on April 8th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

That’s right. In the net I can’t just act all sexy and get my way.

If I wanted something I’d actually have to think about how I write!!! Maybe that’s why I’m so reluctant to ask for help online :D

Reply to this comment
Jarel said on April 8th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

Good info., thanks JC.
Now, I’d like to ask you to do a video chat similar to the ones ProBlogger does. There are so many people who would love to get a chance to ask you a quick question. :D

Reply to this comment
gedet basumatary said on April 8th, 2008 at 10:59 pm

Ya I agree with you.
Confidence and right way of communication matters a lot.
Nice posts.

Reply to this comment
Azrael said on April 8th, 2008 at 11:30 pm

Basically confidence is what would make us big in the blogging world!

Is this what you are trying to imply?

Reply to this comment
Homebizseo.com said on April 8th, 2008 at 11:36 pm

Posture and Control is correct. When asking for anything you need the confidence of a winner. :smile: :grin: :lol: :!:

Reply to this comment
Liane said on April 9th, 2008 at 12:29 am

Asking for something is definately not an easy thing. Mainly because when you ask, you want someone to give or do something for you. And it’s hman nature to care less for others. Pretty evel? :twisted:

I think it’s all a matter of how well you ask. That or on how good you twist words.

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The Internet Apprentice said on April 9th, 2008 at 12:41 am

Now this is a good post, and it has applications far beyond blogging and business. Learning how to act confident, even when you’re really not, is a good skill to have.

- Dave

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William Profet :: One Job Two Salaries said on April 9th, 2008 at 12:52 am

Yeah, the self-confidence will open many doors for the man/woman who have it and express it! :)

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Berry said on April 9th, 2008 at 1:16 am

Maybe that guy was so shy or to polite? We could learn how to handle PR correctly, we must confidence with what our doing by having a enough knowledge. :lol:

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mizzloco [ com ] for sale said on April 9th, 2008 at 3:15 am

good post john :wink:

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CY said on April 9th, 2008 at 3:37 am

… that’s very true.. PR is PR after all ^^

CY

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Simon Lau said on April 9th, 2008 at 4:21 am

Hm, I usually don’t go with the need mentality. Going to give it a shot with some of the new PR people I deal with.

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Fitness Site said on April 9th, 2008 at 4:24 am

lol. very correctly said.
The small blogger was decent with his language…. its old saying - speech influences :wink:

Reply to this comment
Sha said on April 9th, 2008 at 4:30 am

Good post because it’s the truth. The same goes for requesting interviews with someone. Of course it depends on their schedule, but if you were to say something along the lines of what the big blogger said, you’d have at least a 5-10% chance of getting it.

Not good.

Reply to this comment
car345.com said on April 9th, 2008 at 5:08 am

Is is not what you ask.. how you ask is more important

Reply to this comment
Azrael said on April 9th, 2008 at 5:15 am

Asking is never easy, you should consider and think a lot before having the right words.

Reply to this comment
Dave from Welcome Back Rosenthal said on April 9th, 2008 at 6:56 am

Wait is this a “how to make money online” blog or “how to be a successful with women” blog. Cause the same strategy applies.

But it’s true, most people are so scared of getting banned they wont stand up straight and confront them. And when adsense was giving me those bad context ads for MONTHS that’s how I approached them. The minute I made blog post last week embarrassing them and sent them a link to it in an email saying poor content matching was bad for me, for them, the advertisers, and generally took a more firm and professional approach my ads miraculously changed 12 hours later.

Reply to this comment
Azrael said on April 9th, 2008 at 8:17 am

The two are almost identical except that the other is geered to create more money and the other get the girl.

Reply to this comment
Sha said on April 9th, 2008 at 5:17 pm

LMFAO at women. It’s true though. I used to get the corniest pick up lines from some guys.

Reply to this comment
yeu2 said on April 9th, 2008 at 7:32 am

Yup. hate to say it, but if you sound like a noob, you get treated like a noob. If you write like the press pass is just a formality, then BINGO in you go!
http://yeu2.com
http://do1t.net

Reply to this comment
Myron said on April 9th, 2008 at 7:51 am

The best movie scene ever was in “Boiler Room”

“Act As If”

The three greatest words anyone has ever told me. You have to act as if you have been doing it for a long time and act as if you know what you are talking about. That is posture and communication. Go into every meeting prepared. Prepare for every email. Don’t do anything on a whim!

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Road Running with a Kenyan Runner said on April 9th, 2008 at 8:08 am

The advice is not only about how to be successful in business but also how to be successful with women.

This kind of advice shows us why you have the right to call yourself a dot com Mogul.

Reply to this comment
Mike said on April 9th, 2008 at 8:16 am

Nice post. Its always better to be forward and direct than timid and meak. People don’t like it when you show weakness in bussiness deals.

Reply to this comment
technorino said on April 9th, 2008 at 8:21 am

Hey guys,
Its all about working the words. Everything in life revolves around language, and how you utilize language. Therefore, linguistic skills should be applied to text. Think about these two scenarios:
1. “Hey, i was maybe thinking…that…you could give me your homework…its ok if you dont want to but you can…”

2. “Hey John, can i see your homework real quick? I need some clarifications on some problems that i had trouble with last night. Thanks.”

I would personally think for a moment about the first person, and make a decision. However, as for the second person, i would not even think; just do. This is the situation in the post, the big blogger is #1 and the smaller is #2. The smaller bloggers almost always seem to have the guts to ask for whatever they want. If you want something, then ask with out hesitation.

regards,
technorino (technorino.com)

Reply to this comment
wisdom said on April 9th, 2008 at 8:43 am

Good post on how words can matter. Nicely done.

Reply to this comment

There seems to be a timid mindset out there. In life you need balls to get what you want. Can’t be afraid to go get it. You will never get the pretty girl if you don’t ask. Cher was once asked why she went out with only younger guys. She replied. “They are the only one who ask me out.” With that in mind. Hey JC, post my video. Thanks..Mike

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Chris Austria said on April 9th, 2008 at 9:24 am

It’s strange that the big blogger lacked the confidence to ask while the small blogger was oozing with confidence. Perhaps the small blogger will eventually become a big blogger and the big blogger will remain stagnant.

Nice reminder post coach!

Reply to this comment
Andy said on April 9th, 2008 at 9:46 am

I require $1000, John, and I’d appreciate you getting it to me ASAP :twisted:

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Jon said on April 9th, 2008 at 10:13 am

Great advice!

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logosamurai said on April 9th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

interesting topic.

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Affiliate Confession said on April 9th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Posture is the name of the game. I learned about posture in MLM (I hate to admit that) and if yuo wanted to have people join your oeganization you had to act as if you didn’t need them. Same thing when asking for a pass to something like Ad Tech, ask assuming you will get one.

Reply to this comment
Internet Marketing University said on April 9th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

This is another cool bonus for someone running their own niche blog, not having to pay for courses and seminars within their niche if they properly ask. This is almost worth having a niche website devoted to your passions just so you can review products and services for free without having to pay for them! I’ve never gotten into a seminar for free, but then again - I never asked :oops: I definitely agree that asserting yourself with confidence will win over asking for something in a weak and feeble way.

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Paolo Gaspar said on April 9th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

I went through a course on effective business writing, and the moral of the whole thing was not to BS, but instead get to the point. Good post!

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My Internet Business Review said on April 9th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

I didn’t think about it this way, yea perhpas its important hwo you ask ppl for some things, great post.

Reply to this comment
Erik said on April 9th, 2008 at 1:15 pm

that makes a lot of sense. Will use these tips next time I ask for something :smile:

Reply to this comment
Ashley said on April 9th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

I had a friend just get “industry passes” into the San Diego Comic Con after “executive producing” a small independent film - all it took was a few credits on the IMDB! It’s amazing what you can get if you just ask.

Reply to this comment
Robert said on April 9th, 2008 at 1:41 pm

Good post. You have to be assertive and confident if you’re going to succeed. No one wants to be associated with wishy-washy businessperson or blogger.

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james said on April 9th, 2008 at 3:23 pm

But how will you know that being confidence all the time will get you what you want. You can’t be %100 sure that it will work. Its like being over confident.

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SEO hosting said on April 9th, 2008 at 4:50 pm

Also the number two guy did the right thing by correctly dropping the Google and valueclick reference. Notice he said that he was contacted by them (ie I havea very strong relationship with two exhibitors). Number one didn’t stand a chance. Maybe if his lead was I have 10,000 readers who I’ll be reporting to.

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pennyblogger said on April 9th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

It’s true that confidence is key.
Maybe it was just a small mistake John, or no one else noticed, but the Big Blogger never said his blog was “personal”…

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That’s ture that sometimes we are too humber and sell us short :oops:

HappyTutors.com is a great web2.0 service. :twisted:
Welcome everybody :grin:

http://www. HappyTutors.com
~ Connect Tutors with Students & Parents~

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Mark Wilson said on April 9th, 2008 at 10:58 pm

Hello John
I need to make ridiculously large amounts of money so I am going to need a free review or some free advertising on this site. I have been told that this blog is the best an therefore come straight to you.

Thanks
Mark

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Syed Balkhi said on April 10th, 2008 at 10:47 am

haha nice try … let me know if it works

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Jcyreus said on April 10th, 2008 at 6:15 am

I agree 100%

Just last week I used the same posturing and positioning strategy in negotiating for the purchase of my next new home. By delivering a clear and confident message, without coming across as an arrogant a-hole, I was able to drive the seller down to a price that left them less than satisfied with what they had to give up.

Great post John, thanks!
- Jcyreus (http://jcyreus.com)

Reply to this comment
Mike said on April 10th, 2008 at 7:03 am

“I need to make ridiculously large amounts of money so I am going to need a free review or some free advertising on this site.”

I think that’s could be used as an example of being too forward and direct. If your overconfident, your liable to turn people off as well.

Reply to this comment
Mark Wilson said on April 10th, 2008 at 11:09 am

Haha, ya I know, but it makes the point that there is a way to ask that is TOO forward.

(but hey, I still wouldn’t mind a free review or some free advertising)

Reply to this comment
Startup Earth said on April 10th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

Great post, and good examples. Assuming someone will say yes is a good first step as it makes you write with a certain authority not found in a ‘begging email’.

Just goes to show, it’s not the size of your blog, it’s the size of your balls. :wink:

Reply to this comment
germz said on April 10th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

I REQUIRE. That you give us bloggers the domain names of your friends.
I also REQUIRE a giant banner on top of your blog linking to http://www.thegermz.com for FREE.
Nah I’m just kidding lol the domains please :oops:

Reply to this comment
Mike Huang said on April 10th, 2008 at 6:01 pm

This isn’t always correct. Some companies love straightforward requests, while others hate it.

-Mike

Reply to this comment
Bob Rutledge said on April 10th, 2008 at 10:30 pm

Read the “Aladin Factor”. Most don’t get what they want because they don’t ask. Simply asking will often get you much of what you want. Then learn the skill John talks about to gain a competitive advantage.

Reply to this comment
cold sores home remedies said on April 11th, 2008 at 1:47 am

How you express yourself online, whether it be in blogs emails, comments, etc says a lot about your charactar and self confidence. Same applies in real life.

Reply to this comment
Miker W. said on April 11th, 2008 at 7:06 am

I think if the first blogger had just said,
“I am a web entrepreneur and blogger, and would be covering the event from my popular blog which has an RSS readership of over 1,400.”
he would have gotten the pass. This could also be an indication that less is more in certain cases.

Reply to this comment
Bennie Randall said on April 14th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

You are right on the head with this one……when i use to be in the music business and wanted to get into the big shows i would always come as press or i would offer my service to help out in the conference to not only meet new contacts…but get to enjoy the conference from the inside out. And i would always end up with alot of free stuff that vendors would ship in for the show but did not want to take back home….a win - win all the time

http://www.BennieRandall.com

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Paul Piotrowski said on April 21st, 2008 at 1:13 am

I’d just like to add one more thing. Even though the first way of asking didn’t produce a results, at least the person ASKED.

Most people in life don’t even ASK in the first place. Even if you’re not good at asking for things, if you ask enough times you’ll eventually get a yes anyways. Most people, however, are too shy to even ask at all.

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