« How to learn about persuasion -- 6 books I suggest | Main | Social Pressure and Shareware Registration »
April 27, 2004
Timing is important in persuasion
When was the last time something happened to you at the perfect time? Maybe... -Your waiter knew just when to refill your glass?-Your boss told you how great you were, just when you were feeling bad about your performance?
-You were going back and forth in a negotiation, about to give up, and the other side finally agreed with your terms? Each of the parties in these examples knew the importance of timing. In persuasion, it's a critically important factor to consider.
Traffic engineers know this--they use interactive signs, usually placed just off the highway, to slow you down at the just the right place. (See an interactive example here; above graphic from the Newton Police Department.) I use timing myself, too. I set Outlook to remind me about certain tasks when I know I'll be free. I never ask for something important when the other person is frazzled, busy, or surrounded by other people. And when I was a kid, I knew the best time to ask my mom for something was when she was on the phone with someone else... Sorry, Mom.
Posted by at April 27, 2004 10:12 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://credibility.stanford.edu/captology/mt/mt-tb.cgi/70