Applying Persuasion Theories to a Community-Based Fundraiser

Abstract

This paper focuses on the use of well-known persuasions theories and tactics in a specific context. These theories and tactics were applied in the context of a community-based fundraiser. The theories and tactics used include promise, foot-in-the-door, door-in-the-face, the Theory of Reasoned Action, and liking. These theories and tactics were used to coordinate an event for a nonprofit afterschool program called the Music Resource Center in Duluth, Minnesota. The application of these theories and tactics in messages seeking compliance found that this particular context yields a wide variety of results. This paper also focuses on drawing implications from the results of using these theories and tactics in messages seeking compliance.