The coffee shop tip jar taught me about effective communication

Saw a tip jar at a local spot in Portland with a sign that said 'help us pay rent' and it was nearly empty. The one next to it said 'help us buy a new espresso machine' and it was packed. Same shop, same customers, different result. People respond to a clear, specific goal way more than a vague ask. Has anyone else noticed this pattern with how you frame requests or appeals in your own work?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jake1mo ago

totally. that rent sign is so vague it might as well say "give us money" but the espresso one feels like you're buying into something fun. I had the same thing happen when I was volunteering for a local trail cleanup. I posted we need help and got maybe two people. Then I changed it to "help us fix the bridge near the creek before winter" and suddenly we had a crew of twelve showing up with tools. it's like people need a picture in their head of what they're actually helping with. the specific ask makes them feel like part of the story instead of just a wallet.

the_taylor29d ago

You ever notice how the more specific the ask, the more people act like it's a treasure map, @the_jake? The vague stuff just bounces off, but "bring gloves, we're lifting boards" suddenly makes everyone an engineer. People don't want to donate to a fog, they want to feel like they're pointing at a finish line.