How to Be Persuasive: Mastering the Art of Persuasion
The better your ability to influence people, the more you will achieve in life. There are countless situations where persuasiveness proves useful. Whether you’re trying to convince a potential customer to purchase your product or trying to persuade a co-worker to side with your idea, you can’t win someone over without knowing how to be persuasive. Continue reading to find out how to be persuasive and influence people in any situation.
Smile
The best way to influence someone is to smile. People like people who smile. Your smile must be authentic, though, because people can detect when a smile is fake. Find something you genuinely like about the person and smile about it. Or, just make it a habit of being positive and your smile will come naturally. The next time you want to persuade someone, start by offering an authentic smile and you will notice that people respond more favorably toward you and are more easily swayed.
Mirror the other person’s behavior
People like and are most easily-influenced by those they perceive to be similar to them. One way to influence someone is to mirror his or her speech and actions. You’ll become much more influential if you use the same words or repeat back something the other person has said. The same applies to gestures and posture. If the other person is leaning forward in their chair, do the same.
Use the positive labeling technique
Marketing companies frequently use this tactic. The idea is if you tell someone that smart, conscientious people made a similar decision and reinforce that the person you are trying to persuade is also smart and conscientious, they are more likely to choose the option you are presenting. Assign positive labels to the person you want to persuade and they will most likely side with you.
Offer fewer choices
Most people are paralyzed by choices. If you give too many options, many people will simply fail to choose anything. One way to persuade someone to make a particular choice is to present them with fewer options, while explaining the benefits of making a particular choice.
Rely on the majority
People often make decisions based on the decisions of people they perceive to be similar to them. If you want to persuade someone, point out examples of similar people who already bought into the idea or product you’re trying to sell. They will most likely be persuaded if you can plant in their mind the idea that they are missing out on something that people similar to them have chosen.
Recognize what’s important to the other person
If you listen, people tell you who they are and what’s important to them. Pay attention if someone keeps repeating certain words or phrases. They will feel as though you are listening to them if you discuss the same topics or use the same words during conversation. For example, if your boss keeps using the word “priorities” make sure you use the same word when providing details regarding your workload for the week. This makes the person feel understood and improves your relationship at a subconscious level, increasing the likelihood that you will be able to persuade him or her.
Keep your message simple
People mistakenly think they have more power to influence someone if they present them with a well-written, complex message, but the opposite is true. Present the other person with a simple, straightforward message and you are more likely to influence them. When in doubt, pretend as though you are trying to sell a product or idea to a child – state the facts and benefits in a simple way.
Emphasize scarcity or exclusivity
What you’re offering, whether it’s an idea or a product, should be presented as unique and therefore scarce. If something is perceived to be scarce, people value it more. Part of what makes something so desirable is the fact that it is rare – which usually means that the majority of people aren’t aware it exists or are unable to obtain it. For example, when you buy a high-end vehicle, you are joining an exclusive club of sophisticated people who value the same quality and sophistication in a vehicle. These people are similar to you. Offer something unique and present it in a way that attracts people through the actions of others. Polish up your persuasion skills by enrolling in a degree program at Fremont University.
At Fremont University, you will learn important communication skills to increase your confidence and help you influence others. Fremont offers the following degree programs: Multimedia Design, Business Leadership, Paralegal Studies, and Sports Therapy. Contact us today to enroll in one of our in-demand degree programs – space is limited!
Additional Tips To Consider
Persuasion
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to “persuade” means to move by argument or entreaty to a belief, position, or course of action. Since it is highly likely that you already have some sort of experience in persuasion, chances are, you need to improve your communication skills in this way. Below are some steps on how to persuade someone.
Non-Verbal Communication/Body Language
As with any form of communication skills, body language plays a large role in whether the other person receives your persuasive tactics well. The biggest tip for altering your body language is to show the person that you are engaged and focused on them when you present your ideas and listen to their responses. One way of doing this is to smile when you showcase your ideas, which allows the other person to connect what you are saying with your positivity, and makes them more likely to receive it well. Another thing to be aware of is what you do with your hands; if you are fidgeting, the person will think you are nervous and may not be as inclined to agree with what you say, so you should instead portray confidence by either keeping your hands calmly folded, or using them as you talk to motion in sync with the points that you make.
Not only can you control your own body language, but you can also use knowledge of non-verbal communication to read how the other person is reacting to what you are saying. If a person in conversation with you has their feet pointed toward you, they are probably interested in your presentation. Likewise, the other person leaning in to listen means you have their attention and should continue with what you are saying. By noting the non-verbal communication that both you and the recipient are presenting, you can improve your persuasion skills.
Verbal Communication/Message
The next important thing with persuasion is the arguments themselves. When persuading someone, it is best to be clear and concise with your message. While you may think that a long-winded speech is the best way to convince someone, studies have shown that it is actually the other way around, and that simple messages trump lengthy ones.
As a method of persuasion, you should also consider what is important to the recipient, and then tailor your message to fit their preferences so that they will agree with you more. It is also a good idea to demonstrate your viewpoint in a way that emphasizes that people like the recipient have chosen the option that you are presenting. Most people prefer to make decisions that they feel are popular and common, opting to trust the choices of their peers rather than to take the risk of branching out.
Using this information, you can begin to work toward mastering the art of persuasion, since improving your communication skills will be key to success in your career. Here at Fremont University, we want to improve your other skills as well, whether you are pursuing an education in Paralegal Studies, Multimedia Design, or any of our other reputable programs. Contact us today to learn more!
