Bitcoin Forum

So you've talked to your friends and mentioned Bitcoin a couple of times, but for the most part they're just confused and in the 'It's a scam'/'You're on another of your money making schemes that never work again' frame of mind...

What do you say to (try to) convince them that it's not just some short term waste of time/money?

I'm always looking out for this kind of thing, which is why i got into it, but my friends aren't the type that would look at bitcoin at first glance and think 'This has real potential', they're more of the 'This is fail...'.

What's the most convincing information you have that doesn't sound as though it's just been pulled out of your ass?

Try giving them Bitcoins for free :)

It's the world's first digital cash, which allows people to send million of dollars worth of bitcoin to the other side of the planet instantaneously without having to open a bank account. This creates huge opportunities that will lead to greater adoption of it.

Wait until you hear them complain about some aspect of the banking system, PayPal, transaction fees, government, etc., and then say "check out bitcoin, it solves a lot of those problems." Then send them to http://www.BitcoinTraining.com for more info.

This is the million dollar question. I have found people don't care about the idea of digital money. It's not sexy.

BTC is a great thing, but there is no specific use (outside of trading) that appeals to regular people. I know you can buy cool stuff, but you can also buy stuff with cash.

The best way to convince someone to use BTC is not to even mention it. Mention the product or service that needs BTC to work.

Example:
"Hey, have you seen service "X"? You should check it out"

*X needs BTC to function.

Bitcoins are basically digital cash.  This means several things: 1) you can buy things online without giving out tons of personal information, credit card numbers or access to bank accounts to third parties whose security may or may not be reliable, 2) you can accept them as a small business without paying exorbitant credit card fees, Paypal fees, or other third party charges, 3) they are an international currency, so perfect for the internet. As a real economy grows up around them they will be easy to trade with anyone online, allowing you to avoid unfavorable exchange rates or other inconveniences with exchanging currencies.  

Basically I assume that most people who are skeptical about Bitcoins are more interested in answers to the question "why is there a need?" than "what are they?"  A lot of Bitcoin descriptions are too tech heavy.  For Bitcoin PR to really take off, we need to spend more time talking about how they can benefit the average consumer or small business.  

That's exactly why I chose to sell premium coffee exclusively for BTC. I'm hoping everyone who's purchased some shares it with their family and friends, and when they ask, "Where did you get this wonderful coffee?" it will open the door to an enlightening discussion about the joys of a decentralized, peer-to-peer currency.

You sound like you are trying to recruit people for your MLM.
I don't think this is necessary for bitcoins.
Personally, I would tell people about it, then leave it alone.
If they care to ask about it more sometime, they will.
 8)

Thats actually the worst idea ever.  I gave my sister and my friend one bit coin for free and they lost them.  Never give your bitcoins away for free hoping to get someone excited about it.  Make them pay you.

Have them turn on any television news channel.

+1

I mentioned bitcoins to a friend to take on as a hobby in response to "what should I take on as a hobby". After I briefly stated "bitcoins!" they replied with "whats that?" this is my response



Excellent hook ;)

Edit: oh yeah then at the end of the quote i posted a link to www.WeUseCoins.com

speaking soley for myself,

i wouldnt try to bring on friends at this point....BTC is, IMO, still waaaaay to risky to try to convince friends and family to sink their hard earned cash into...ive had a couple of friends ask about it (they caught me staring at the charts) and ive explained it to them in round about terms, but thats as far as it goes.

there are better investments for loved ones to put their cash into IMO...i just dont feel safe at this point reccomending BTC to anyone who hasnt done thier due dilligence in research and/or is naive or unaware of the extreme risk involved with investing in BTC....

that said, if someone does do the research and decides to invest, i certainly wouldnt discourage them...but for now, im not trying to bring new people on until BTC's growing pains have settled out a bit.
 

That is a very good point, I've never thought over overly convincing a family member or a friend to have the urge to invest in to it. especially with out knowning the possible consequences of it all

It is certainly a difficult task because money isn't useful or a positive force in the world to begin with. Everyone I've tried to evangelize BTC to has been burned by Mybitcoin or plagued with false virus warnings.

Why do you need to bring in your friends? Would it help validate your interest in bitcoins?

Or you could just tell them that it's money for smart people and that they wouldn't be interested.

Show them the Money Masters video.   ;)

And then the Zeitgeist documentaries.

And perhaps the Money As Debt series.

And then give them a tinfoil hat....

Hehe, you can even send bitcoin to non-earthly destinations, like Nirvana, if you like.

Ha, I'm going to tell my grandma they use it in heaven... too bad she already said "SOUNDS LIKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST TO ME"...

lol, old people.

Sadly there is no killer feature in Bitcoin for average Joe. I would like to see a merchant that say : "Because of Bitcoins I'm saving on transaction cost. I give 1% rebate to every transaction made with Bitcoin."

Right now love it or not, it's a lot more simple to use Paypal.

Because of Bitcoin, I'm saving lots of money and headaches on each and every transaction. I won't sell for anything else at BitBrew and offer great prices for a premium product.

-edd

The one thing that has got everyone I've told so far:


"Bitcoins started out being worth 5 cents.  They are now at 10 dollars."

Watch their eyes get big.  Greed sells (and is also good, according to Gordon Gekko).