The Ben Franklin “Impact Story” Effect
According to the Ben Franklin effect, “a person who has already performed a favor for another is more likely to do another favor for the other than if they had received a favor from that person.”
Basically, what that boils down to is that by doing something nice for someone—say, for example, giving them a donation—you like them more.
Multiple studies over the years have demonstrated this—test subjects’ own conduct toward others was shown to shape their perception of them. In other words…
You tend to like the people to whom you are kind and dislike the people to whom you are rude.
Linda P. Case, a science blogger, characterizes it in this way:
When it comes to soliciting existing donors for new donations, this is an important psychological phenomenon of which to be aware. Donors have done your organization a “favor” by giving money to help with your cause. Therefore, they are psychologically inclined to like your organization as a way to rationalize their giving behavior.
By leveraging this effect and keeping in it in mind when telling stories to donors, you have a tremendous opportunity to leverage what we like to call the Ben Franklin impact story effect. Telling directly relevant stories about the impact that a donor’s generosity has had on an individual when asking for incremental donations is likely to increase your chances of getting that incremental donation.
As Ben Franklin put it…
He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than whom you yourself have obliged.
About the Author
Robb Hoffheins
As the Head of Product, Robb is responsible for the success of Mythos from sales to ongoing customer success with the platform.
