Many people assume that persuasion in the area of sales is similar to a “pushy” used car salesman.
Not true!
Since the day you were born, you used persuasion techniques and when you were a cute little baby, those persuasion techniques probably worked. But as you grew older, your persuasion may have “hit a brick wall.”
Hopefully, you got what you needed, but without the power of persuasion, you probably did not get what you wanted as much as you would have liked.
Now, some people have a natural ability to persuade people. It has been used for both good and bad.
I am going to give you 4 tips to master the art of persuasion, but you must promise you will only use it for good.
Cool?
“Persuasion is achieved by the speaker’s personal character when the speech is so spoken as to make us think him credible. We believe good men more fully and more readily than others: this is true generally whatever the question is, and absolutely true where exact certainty is impossible and opinions are divided.” Aristotle
Master The Art Of Persuasion Tip #1: Create The Dream
There are 2 small but ultra-powerful words that will create a dream in others. Those words are:
What If?
- What if we could show you a way to retire 5 years from now?
- What if you had enough money to live wherever you wanted?
- Or what if you could ensure your children never have to struggle?
It is my opinion that when recruiting, selling or anything in which you want to persuade someone to do something, start by using what if.
“The key for any speaker is to establish his own point of view for the audience, so they can see the game through his eyes.” Ronald Reagan
Master The Art Of Persuasion Tip #2: Identify And Focus On The Persuadable
I like to use the example of the teenager who wants to use the car to go out with his friends on a Saturday night. Dad is dead set against this, but the teen had heard Mom say 2 days earlier how she would like to spend a romantic night alone with Dad.
So, why try to persuade Dad?
The persuadable is Mom and the teen will approach her. She will then have the power to persuade Dad.
When we need something, we must look for those who will benefit too and are persuadable. Focus on those people.
“Advertising is fundamentally persuasion and persuasion happens to be not a science, but an art.” William Bernbach
Master The Art Of Persuasion Tip #3: Listen
The masters of persuasion have also mastered the art of active listening. You see, if you listen intently, people will tell you how to easily persuade them.
There are 3 things you need to focus on when practicing active listening to persuade:
- Assess how receptive they are to your point of view;
- Listen for specific objections that you will have to overcome;
- and you need to listen for agreements so you can capitalize on consensus.
“The best way to persuade people is with your ears – by listening to them.” Dean Rusk
Master The Art Of Persuasion Tip #4: Try It
In the case of persuading a person to purchase something or do something they are hesitant about, the try it before you commit persuasion technique works.
That is why you will see so many free trials of software and other things on the internet.
Entrepreneurs know that when a person tries it, they will “be hooked.”
Conclusion
Persuasion does take practice… Practice with someone you are close to and practice in the mirror.
One other thing; if you use persuasion too much, it can defeat the purpose. It is like the little boy who cried wolf.
So choose your persuading times carefully.
Before I go let me ask, have you read my book? You can get a copy of To The Top by clicking here.
Have a great day and keep climbing
To The Top!
