Bribery is a mom’s best friend. Anyone who says they don’t bribe their kids is full of it. While not 100 percent, the tactic has a pretty high success rate.
In recent memory, I’ve used bribery to:
- Get my daughter out the door more quickly in the morning (snack in the car)
- Stay in her own bed at night (“rewards” she chose or surprise items I chose)
- Sit still while getting her hair cut (Skittles)
- Be brave at her new school (a treat after dinner)
- Clean up her mess in the living room (finger painting)
The possibilities are endless.
For the past several weeks, Nora has been waking up with a dry overnight diaper. After much internal debate, this week I decided it was time to take the leap and have her try wearing underwear overnight. Slightly terrifying, but the thought of not buying diapers for the next three months (when our second child is born) was a powerful motivator.
She was surprisingly eager to try it out, no convincing required. The next morning, I woke up cautiously optimistic. She wandered into my bedroom at 5:30 a.m.—unfortunately, she inherited her dad’s internal alarm clock—and I asked the million-dollar question: Is your underwear dry?!
By some miracle, it was! Sometimes I underestimate what this tiny, amazing human is capable of (and then feel guilty for not giving her the benefit of the doubt). I praised her enthusiastically and, in turn, Nora was excited about her own accomplishment. She immediately exclaimed, “Do I get a reward?!”
Damnit, I’ve created a monster.
For once, I didn’t have to bribe her, yet I knew I was going to have to deliver some positive reinforcement. She wanted to go to the dollar store, where we typically go when she gets to pick out her own rewards, but since I had a hair appointment right after work I talked her into a “surprise reward.” Meaning I hit up Target’s dollar spot on my lunch hour. She was thrilled with her new whiteboard.
Much like bribing your child to get them to accomplish something, incentives can also be effective in sales and marketing. Employees and customers often respond positively by being recognized, rewarded and engaged through effectively structured programs with defined goals and proven returns. From bonus products and free upgrades to sweepstakes, games and prizes, much like with kids, there are unlimited incentive possibilities in marketing.
Incentives can even be used in the non-profit world to encourage fundraising. I volunteer for my local Susan G. Komen affiliate and have seen them use this tactic successfully. When participants reach a defined fundraising milestone, they are rewarded with a corresponding prize. The intention is to offer an incentive that is appealing enough to motivate people to complete the desired action. I absolutely love the t-shirt I earned from this program last year and am looking forward to being rewarded with another one this year—when I reach my fundraising goal, of course.
When it comes to getting children, or customers, to take a desired action, sometimes you just do what you have to do. Even if it requires some harmless manipulation.
Marketing Like a Mother 