In 2013 I was graciously invited to speak in Australia.
They offered to cover flights and hotels.
I generally don’t ask for speakers fees cause I love sharing my stories and working with people. And I have and know how to organize conferences so I know there are always more costs than expected.
Want the one email I send when I have something worth sending?
114,000+ entrepreneurs get it. One story from my business, one tactic you can use. No schedule, no fluff.
…But traveling costs me time, money and I like being at home with my tacos.
Because of the coffee challenge, it encouraged me at the end of the conversation, to ask, “What kind of speaker’s fee can you include?”
She mentioned, “Uh….I’ll have to ask my team about that.”
Noah: “That’s cool. It would mean a lot if you can ask.”
That whole extra sentence took me an extra 20 seconds.
(Pro-tip: Whenever you ask for something, don’t say shit afterwards.)
She came back the next morning with this:
If you don’t know AUD to USD is like 100:1. #kidding
Cool. That’ll cover my costs in Australia (Aug 1st).
If you look at just the 30 seconds of me asking for the speakers fee, that’s about:
$7,200,000 / hourly rate I’d be paid!!!!
In our old How to Make Your First Dollar course the #1 break-through students have is when they go through Failure Olympics and have to ask for things.
When you’re starting a business or doing marketing you are asking people to use your service or product.
After creating the course myself I’ve noticed I’m way more open minded to asking for things I want.
Think about this in your day-to-day life….
1- Can you ask for a free side-salad (ha!) at the restaurant?
2- Can you ask a customer why they aren’t working with you? Then solve that.
3- What about asking that girl out who you always see in the cafe?
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU CAN GET unless you ASK. This is true for a lot of things including how to get more subscribers.
What’s the worst you can get?
NOTHING. Exactly.
So the upside is super fucking high, the downside is only 0.
You do the math.
People are always looking for ways to make money fast, but they rarely ASK for more money in the current situation.
Just try to explore what you really want and ask for it. You’ll be surprised what you get…
—————————————————————————————
A few weeks ago I asked Satchel-Paige (https://www.satchel-page.com) for a free bag (worth $250+) to give to one of you.
Guess what? They said cool. Giggity.
Start a business in 48 hours.
Million Dollar Weekend is the process I used for eight businesses, written down. #1 on Amazon and Audible.
Read the first chapter free
233 responses to “How to Earn More Money: By Asking”
This is so true. We follow 3M in Hindi which works out to Meet, Ask and Get. Will I still get this above bag in 2026?
I would like to get a dog trainer + housekeeper for life …to have a chance to travel and earn money to visit family…to catch my rent up to i can buy my house…
I want a job, i want a customer support post job please can you help me??i’m always respected. Thank you so much, you are my role model
Fantastic! I’ll have to practice asking boldly.
Amazing
Today I’m going to ask Marcus Limonis (CEO of Camping World and Good Sam) for a new(er) “Dragon” (RV) to pull my Whimsical Wish Wagon so I can help even more people get their best WiSHes to come true.
I’ll let you know how it goes!
Brilliant post Noah! Really, it’s astonishing how we’ve become a culture of “not” asking for things. As if it’s not “polite” to ask for what you want. I don’t know why/how we became like this and it’s definitely a cultural thing I believe, but it’s also a mirror moment where you stop, take a look at what you are doing, and find a new way. So, I won’t ask for the satchel bag as I don’t really need it in my business (voice over) so hopefully, it will go to someone who needs it, appreciates it, and more importantly, ASKS you for it! Hae a great week Taco-Man!
Well, as a Spanish (of Sephardi descendance) living in Brazil, I’m still taking my ankles out of the mud, so all I could get this weekend (moved by this post) was a bottle of sugar cane spirit that had been in a rare wooden barrel for 6 years. I went with my family to one of the best restaurants in town to have a farm cuisine made on wood stove in order to celebrate our anniversary (it’s been 14 years together now!). Then, bang!, I asked and the guy gave to us this 1 liter bottle of one of THE best liquor you could taste.
You’re invited to come by, Noah! Then we could figure out some business for this country.
Now that I’m calling attention at the Singularity University’s channel on Youtube by doing constructive criticism, I plan to reach P. Diamandis or R. Kurzewil to offer them a consulting service: they have the channel for 9 years now, but with barely 30k followers. They’re obviously doing it wrong!
Today I asked to redesign an unused space in a warehouse dance center. I would be giving time and resources, but it would be an incredible start to my portfolio. Keep you posted on what happens! You should also check out the Ted Talk on “fear of rejection” as it has a very similar tone. What’s the worst that can happen? And sometimes you might just be surprised!
I was negotiating a real estate deal a few years back. When it came to price, the buyer made and offer and I didn’t respond (one potato, two potato…) after an uncomfortable 3-5 seconds, they increased their offer by $11,000.
It was more than a fair price. I accepted. Cha-Ching.
Noah, this is so simple but yet brilliant at the same time. I’m in sales for my day job and I go out on calls with other reps at times. It amazes me how some don’t ask for the sale! They do a big presentation and then end it. You must ask and have the pen ready when they say YES.
I think many people fear rejection and don’t ask for what they want in sales or in life in general.
Congrats to you on this one!
Noah Stud – just started following you regularly. Thanks for the great info.
I’m a single mom of two kids who had struggled financially on/off for years. During the toughest of times I learned to ask for discounts, out of desperation and need. I didn’t realize at the time what a great lesson I was learning. Rarely was I denied.
Now that times are better for me financially, I still ask for a discount, as I’m the kind of girl who loves to save a buck . I pay it forward by gifting and donating to those in need. It’s a win/win.
If I want something, I ask for it. I have no fear of rejection. I only have fear of regret if I DIDNT GO FOR IT (whatever IT may be).
My most recent relationship was because I ASKED. I met a man at a concert at he port-a-potty line (so f**cking romantic. I know). I had this strange, crazy strong attraction towards him. He did not have on a wedding ring (I would never go after a married man) , and I pursued. Although we are no longer together, we had nearly 5 years of a great relationship with amazing chemistry ?.
Had I not asked…
Many say that I am a lucky lady. I say I have tenacious persistence with strong askability (did I just make that up).
I have found I get most of what I ask for.
I DON’T get 100% of what I DON’T ASK for.
I disagree with this idea. I think there’s little risk to asking complete strangers for something if you have zero emotion invested in what they will think of you as a result. But reality is that most people do care what others think, so when you ask that girl out and she says no, chances are you’re going to want to find a new cafe to go to.
James Altucher also talked about this in his last podcast. When you ask your connections for something that’s far reaching, that person is put in a position to say no and that makes them feel bad. That puts a tax on your relationship, even if it’s just a small one. So there is a cost-risk to asking friends for things.
I’m not suggesting never to ask for things, but it should be approached with a sense of mindfulness because you’re no doubt putting that person you’re asking something of in an uncomfortable position.
Anyway, just a counter-thought to this idea.
PS – I would have totally said hell no to an economy seat to australia, even with a $2K payout. Did you take it?
I asked for a 10% shipping discount for a package I was sending out today. The rep didn’t even bat an eye and said, “sure thing”. It was an unexpected way to start my day.
Hi Noah,
Thank you for your article and unfortunately I’m one of those guilty “ton of people who find it difficult to ask” but your article has given me inspiration “to ask”.
Regards
Theo Bailey
It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material. Excellent read! Quickcashluck.com
Quickcashluck.com
Noah, I absolutely love your sense of humor!:)
I like you too!
Ok people and fellow dorks – I am looking for a profitable business ? idea. Anyone has suggestions?
Just bought a new guitar with/for my college age son including a gig bag and a warranty. Asked for a discount when I was looking at just the guitar – answer was no. Asked again when I was looking at buying the guitar and the gig bag – answer was still no. Asked AGAIN when I was looking at buying the guitar, gig bag, AND the warranty – Answer was “Let me ask my manager.” Result – 15% discount on the guitar which equaled a free two year warranty. 🙂
Amazing Article, Thanks 😀 To ask is a constant challenge for me … Have you any tipps how to build this habit? A Post about all the different challenges would be awesome! Something like a Business Confidence Bootcamp 😀 Day1 do this, day2 this, ect 😀 Best wishes – Max
Hey Noah,
I just got your email and read it in the past, come to think about it was around the time I started to ask more.
In the past six months, I’ve managed to negotiate my salary up £2.5k, negotiate my rent down by £100 (a month – I pay half so essentially £50) and negotiate £100 off a car (plus a free CD!) that’s a whopping yearly £3,200 extra cash (before tax)!
Woha!
Sam
Hi Noah.
I just recently became a subscriber of the okdork.com emails (It’s 05.06.16).
Great email. It reminds me of Jack Canfield’s “The Aladdin Factor,” which is a book dedicated to making asks.
Decided to take you up on your challenge:
Today I was struggling to figure out which wifi/router/combo to buy, due to TWC’s speed upgrade two weeks ago (my equipment became extinct this past weekend, no warning).
1. On Tuesday, the TWC tech guy told me to get the 2-in-1 wifi/router combo.
2. Since I could not find the product number of the combo unit, and to avoid struggling with the multitude of options presented on the TWC website, today I actually CALLED TWC to ask a tech for his personal recommendations. He told me to buy a separate modem and router. It made sense, but now I was more confused about which two items I had to buy to fix the problem.
3. Undaunted, I went to Staples to ask IN PERSON about their equipment solutions and received a great deal of clarity for the right choice for my situation.
Lesson learned:
I tend to struggle by doing things on my own. I could research the perfect solution for weeks. Instead, I reduced the time down to one day (Yes, this took hours and although it may look like a waste of time, it’s not. I like to make informed buying decisions).
So…I’ll keep asking!
Thank you :).
Noah, really enjoying these emails! I’m starting an olive oil company here in CA, as you know, cash flow in startups is tough. My landlord said to ask him if I needed help during my startup, and I did, because the bank loan took longer than expected, and rent was due = $2,000. So I asked if for this month, I could pay half….he said absoltlye! I could not believe it. The art of asking is so important!
Dewey
I emailed two companies about scholarships to attend their conferences.
I’d like to attend Entreprenuer’s Thought Leaders 2016 [May 24] conference. Yvette [said she met you when you spoke at their annual Growth Conference in December] emailed me and stated that Entrepreneur doesn’t have scholarships. They have free events from time-to-time. Nice!
I’m still waiting for a response from the second organization.
Once you get over the initial fear of “asking,” it gets easier.
I was ordering pizza. He told me the price for a 20″ NY style pizza was $21+tax. I asked him if he would give me 3 pizzas for $60 total. He said, “I’d be losing money, but ok.”
Everything is negotiable…plus it just makes life more exciting.
It’s funny this post is two years old but it’s so new to me. I just started reading ok dork. I asked if I could do some social media work for a client that needed a frewlance writer for their blog. I haven’t found out the answer yet, but I thought why not social media is something I can do too. Then your post came so I guess I’m on the right road.
I emailed a radio station for advertising, got an interview with the station manager and instead of paying cash they accepted $2500 worth of my stock. I was thrilled how open they were to this kind of deal. They didn’t give me late night or early morning slots either. They were during the day when most listeners were tuning in.
I learned this a few years ago when I was trying to get on TV to promote myself. Just ask and (most of the time) you shall receive! good advice 🙂
How much money one really need to invest to start an internet business with an aim to earn $2000 per month at least in the beginning ?
I had a fascinating experience with this at our local Public Market.
I go there to shop for fresh vegetables and fruit
because it is great quality produce and the prices are low.
I have to admit that I felt a little guilty about asking
for discounts because the stuff is already practically free.
Some people said no.
They seemed to feel bad about saying no to me,
while also respecting me more.
Some said yes.
Some who said yes had no problem with it
and one seemed very irritated,
but, agreed anyway.
I probably saved about $5.
It was a fun and easier than I thought.
I will definitely utilize this more.
Thank You Noah!
Do you turn all your emails into blog posts (or viseversa)? Also is these email/blog post part of a sequence? I just received this email today 6/19/2015
Yup. Turn most emails to blog posts. Prioritize people who subscribe over website readers.
Today I asked two people from the staff of http://www.startalkradio.net if they would let me mail them a few copies of a magazine article that published my, “Cosmic Mugs” along with a few of my newest, best cosmic mugs. Both responded yes. The website director even gave me the direct address to Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who frequents national TV shows, hosts his own StarTalk TV on Nat Geo Channel and has a personal Twitter with 3.4 M followers. If you were in my shoes, what would you ask him next?
Awesome article! I recently went to the Farmers Market and applied this lesson of asking to my shopping. And I crushed it! Once I got over the first ask, it started to just come naturally come to me. Throwing in an extra bushel of kale to my order, 50% off my pasture raised, cage free, grass fed, wild caught, massaged regularly Italian sausages (not a euphemism) and free samples galore! I was so comically confident in my ability to make deals. I see what you mean now about little wins adding up. Thanks for the lesson in selling, Noah!
Scored a free brownie, in Australia!
Ok, so I decided to go for the big one, I asked for a raise. What did I get? A NO we aren’t giving anyone raises. Which I happen to know is BS. But what did I really get? A fire lit under me to work smarter and find people that appreciate what I bring to the table and are willing to actually compensate me for that! So, even though I didn’t get a raise, in the long run, I will have gained a lot!
I’ve did 2 last week! First I got 15% off some trainers & second I got 20% off an apartment rental I booked for my sister, saved over €115 just by asking for a discount!! I also got a no this morning from the fire extinguisher man, who thought it was really funny that I asked, so we ended up having a laugh instead – so the no turned out to be fun anyway, win/win all round really haha
I once asked for a discount at Salvatore Ferragamo store. It was brand new collection, so they first said that they cannot. After a big smile and one more try, I got my 10 percent off the bill. Just ask!!!!
This is something I can add on my #30actsofbravery.
A personal challenge I set upon myself.
For starters, I wish your travel journal can find its way here in the Philippines.
(That’s me and my subtle way of asking. Just so we’re clear.)
Great read!
And thank you.
I’ve never understood why people do not ask. You can’t get a date for the prom unless you ask. You never get served if you do not ask for what you want. Don’t settle for what is offered. Ask for the extra, “Can you offer anything to make my stay more pleasant?” has made many business and vacation trips much more enjoyable. Many times the person you’re dealing with just doesn’t think to offer the extra because it is not standard. There is always something . . . you just have to learn to ask and ask nicely without a sense of entitlement. People are more likely to do something for likable people.
How do you ask without being accused of being sales-y, pushy, aggressive, or spammy?
I want to earn from my writing. I’ve done so many things already according to the “experts” but nothing has worked so far. Have I approached the wrong experts?
Recently asked a larger company to sponsor my email list.
Used sumome templates (of course)
The company replied back : yes!
Now negotiating the next steps 😀
Also asked my wife to clean the kitty litter. She also said yes… In exchange for taco dinner tonight.
Boom
Thank you so much for this article. It gives me some kind of confidence and it got me on line to go and ask my boss for a raise. “The business doesn’t make enough money Frank”, he has said for years. “We don’t make money anymore” Well, it’s been over two years and, it’s time for me to make a move.
Thanks again
Oh yes – you are SO right. Get out of that comfort zone. I can still recall my first commission only sales role. I nearly starved until I worked out you actually have to ask people to sign on the dotted line! Of course, you find slicker ways over time but you still have to ask.
So what am I going to ask today? Well it’s a really BIG ask…
Noah, will you take the free trial of our recently launched Reminders program and give us your feedback please. There’s a temporary signup page here…
https://markswilson.me.uk/remindersetc/revised2/
Can’t believe I just asked you that!
I haven’t got a clue Noah Kagan exists just until today and now I feel like I should finally create my facebook account just not to miss more personalities like yourself 🙂
Great read, I enjoyed it!
Btw would sumome work with any Polish services provider?
P.s. yeah I visited more of your websites 😉
Cheers,
Patryk
I read a book a while back called “How Come That Idiots Rich and I’m Not?” by Robert Shemin a real estate guru…of all the books he has written it’s the most tongue and cheek and by far my favourite.
The general concept is to ask for something if you want it…it’s ok, nothing bad will happen. Just ask!
I read this book out loud in the car to my girlfriend, my mom, and my dad on a trip down to Richmond Speedway to watch a Nascar race (my treat for my mom and dad). When we arrived at the hotel the room was in need of repair and I was disappointed to say the least. So I went and asked for a huge discount…long story short. We were only at the hotel to sleep and shower and it was suitable to do that. The room was at less then half the price and we got a gift basket sent to our room for being kind enough to stay (it was the only room left).
I have asked for things ever since and the results have been nothing short of priceless.
Never and I mean NEVER be afraid to ask for something if you think it’s justified. Heck…even if you just think you might want something. You just never know what will happen.
Thanks Noah for sharing your story. As always great advice!
Yeah, this is awesome. I do love the concept of “If you don’t ask, you won’t get ANYTHING” and it’s so true. Yes, I realize you didn’t specifically say that but it’s true. How can you know what will happen if you don’t ask? You can’t. Same goes for negotiations and other things that have to do with money. It’s quick. And the worst they can do is say no. And then you’re back to where you started. Which is already a good spot to be in.
Thanks Noah, you’re one heavy cat rocking’ the taco’s! I received a reply from a potential client today, turns out he’s currently based state-side but my company is in Europe. He was positive, like the work, but basically said” let’s stay in touch”. I followed up thanking him for getting back to me AND asking if he can recommend who he could introduce me to the person I can offer my services to in the home office where I live. I kept the conversation going and maybe I’ll make in person contact which would be great since its a company I really want to collaborate with. Moral of the story: You have to ask! -SW
I have asked for upgraded flights and gotten them. Today, I will ask for a complimentary ticket to a conference I can’t quite fit into my budget right now, but would help my business tremendously. Thanks for the challenge!
Today I finally decided to ask the owner of a successful business I admire for 30 minutes of their time to tell me what they would do differently if they could start their business all over again. He charges $450 an hour and I got 1 hour of his time and some invaluable insights to help me run my own business.
Oh Noah Noah Noah!
You’re amazing. One thing that I’ve been challenging myself with is asking for things. I always felt bad about taking time from people with requests or chats or even asking for an opportunity that I know I’d be amazing at but I’m too shy to go for it. Secretly I thought that by doing so I’d be perceived as sneaky or not too professional but if you I do from a place of honesty and give them value, why not?
The worst is getting a no, and that I’m getting already by not even asking 🙂
Jennifer…it will surprise you how many yeses you will get for asking! It’s just getting the courage to ask with confidence.
This is so true, and often forgotten. Even in sales many reps forget to ask for the sale, the meeting, the referral whatever it is. Worst case scenario people will say no.
Coffee Challenge!
I just heard you for the first time on the James Altucher podcast and you are so interesting and encouraging! I learned so much from you. I’m probably not your normal listener, I just turned 53 and I lost everything financially. I am starting over from zero. Yesterday I learned what a coffee challenge was from listening to you. Today I went to work at a job I have felt stuck at and they closed the entire department and I was laid off. No notice. A complete surprise. And so on the way home I thought – “Wow, I have to do the coffee challenge now!” So I went in and asked for a discount. I didn’t say 10% because I wondered if they DID give me a discount and if I didn’t name it, would they give me more than 10%??? So I asked “May I have a discount please?” And the barista was like “Ahhh…haha…what?” “May I have a discount?” and she looked kinda sideways and asked “Why?” “Just because” I replied. When she asked why a second time, I said “Well, I was just laid off a couple of hours ago and it would be really fun if you would give me a discount.” For a $4.41 total she gave me a $1.00 off and she totally had fun doing it too!
Tomorrow, I’m going to do a plain coffee challenge with no explanation but it was a good start tonight. Thank you for what I’ve already learned from you! I hope all your future business meetings are at ball courts and you get to end them with a quiet walk home!
I’m in sales and have learned that when you ask for something it leads to a “yes” or “no”. Today, my daughter was negotiating on wages for her 1st job after completing college. An offer was made to her on the wages, and I said “Come back at X+$, the worst they’ll say is no.” So she did, and they said no, but at least she asked, and was told that once she made it thru probation, a raise could be discussed, along with negotiating other points. Atta Girl! (And if you choose me for the bag, I’ll give it to her!)
OH! I forgot to ASK for the bag!!!! Hahahahaha. Too funny!!
Noah. Please may I have the bag?
🙂
WHOA! MAJOR PATTERN INTERRUPT!!
I consider myself to be the type of person that spends a pretty large amount of time really thinking about how I move through the world, however this topic seems to always send me spinning & I honestly cannot figure out why. Why (for me) is it so difficult to ask but SOOO easy to give? That one I have down in spades – asking is the chink in my armour. So thank you. This week, I pledge to challenge myself to ask something for seven days straight.
@Ira – that nacho video was priceless!! 😉
I negotiated fees for a freelance writing project this week. I gave an hourly estimate for the simple document revision they asked for, but also proposed that I revamp the whole thing from scratch for a larger project fee. I researched fees for like two hours and then I felt sick to my stomach that I had asked for too much and then 3 hours later, BAM. One sentence email saying, basically: Great idea. Let’s do that.
This email came one day too late (sort of). Yesterday I went to buy a suit and was going to ask for a 10% discount bc hey, why not? They didn’t seem busy in the mall, and it’s 10% to make a sale… and I just didn’t even bother. They were offering free tailoring and I valued the piece I was getting as on par with what I was paying. But, there really is no harm in asking. Ugh, such a timely email!
Good guy discount! I have always used this in my sales and purchases but I was pretty reserved about when and where I used it. However this year heard a story on NPR “Good Guys” that changed that. I now casually ask for extra benefits a lot more and the results have been amazing. People really do want to help and they either gracefully apologize for not being allowed to grant my request, give me something they are allowed to give me, or give me what I ask for. Your advice is good and I hope people take it.
I’m gonna ask you to visit Startup Aggieland to chat with our students
Noah, if you do ever visit Aggieland, there’s some BUCKET LIST brisket there – Fargo’s. Look it up. I think it’s the best brisket I’ve ever had.
My sister’s family lives there (her husband is a professor at A&M) – if you ever speak there, please let me know so that I can tell them to go.
The failure Olympics was one of the most fun business challenges I have done to date! I still cannot do 100 push ups, but I did teach me that failure is ok, it is worse not to try.
Since I started about 3 months ago I have received a number of first class upgrades, free rounds of drinks and all my bank fees waived.
It’s amazing what happens when you just ask for something!
This piece takes me back to the early 80’s when I landed my 1st sales job with a F500 company. Pitney Bowes required all new rookie reps to take the Xerox PSS training.
My trainer was a primo professional. I still remember his mantra “close early, close often” and his tactic was to ask 3 easy to say yes and on the 4th close (or as you say Noah) ask for something, would be the “trial close”.
These days, prospects are too savvy to fall for “would you like that in Red or Blue” but the core concept still holds water. What’s the worst that can happen? You’ll never know until you ask?
Rule #1 when you ask for something remember this “he who speaks first ? loses”
Is the bag to carry the tacos and burritos?
I’m going to ask a lead why he stopped communicating with me, and why he chose not to go with our business.
Hey Noah, your make your first dollar course is awesome. I have been getting a lot out of it. Will you be stopping by in Sydney? If so can I show you around?
Thanks for the emails man.
A few weeks ago I asked a guy if his company hires copywriters or pays bloggers to be brand ambassadors. He said yes, gave me two projects they are working towards, and set up a meeting for the next week.
Something came up last minute and he had to cancel.
So today, I’m going to send him and email and ask him “How can I help you?”
Then, I’m going to give him a few scenarios to help him answer that question.
Love the 1K course.
Oh… and now I’m going to ask how I go from a taco to having my picture show up when I comment here??
Hi Noah and friends. Today I will ask my workplace to foot the bill for the HR course I’m taking. Oi! Noah are you doing some kind of meet up when you come to Oz?
Well I already doing this and its really work, Like few days ago about 49 websites hosting account got terminated due to some wrong settings and HostGator created invoice of $735 and I just asked for 100% free service as a reward of being a loyal client from years. And… I saved $735 in just 3 minutes. Now I’m asking for this bag 😛
Its all about the ask! Its amazing how much more you can get out of life if you just ask. On that same note, would you mind shooting a quick blog post out about what the real value of free is from the business to consumer. (B2C) Aside from this being the thesis of my company, I am always open to hearing what others think!
Much of what I see involves a younger crowd. Typically able to take more risks. What about those of us in our 40s, with jobs and families. I want to join the movement as well. Is it too late to get adventurous?
Good read! I’d like to call it the ‘Art of Asking’.
Actually this hits me right on. I always find it hard to ask people for things. My wife always said I’m being too kind to people, especially when helping families or friends.
I’ll definitely will ask more in the future. Next time if my friends came to me for help (geeky things) I’ll definitely ask him/her to at least buy me coffee afterwards, for a start, haha!
Noah,
I have often read your words