The Art of Persuasion (some tips)

Introduction

Most people want to be better communicators so that they can receive greater respect for their knowledge and expertise.
"...you still want and need to get things from other people. You want people to trust you. You want people to support you. You want people to endorse your ideas or suggestions. And often this means getting people to do or think something very different to what they were thinking or doing just a minute ago..."
Michelle Bowden, 2022

Four persuasive approaches

1. Rational and logical (backed by verifiable facts and research)

2. Credibility of the messenger (an expert in the field who can be trusted)

3. You care about them (feel a strong emotional connection to you before they can be persuaded by you)

4.  Sense your passion and enthusiasm (this can be infectious and contagious)

"...If you want to be more persuasive, you need to appeal to all of the persuasive types. You need to work out the other person's preferences and deliver your message in the way they need to hear it..."
Michelle Bowden, 2022

Tips

1. Deliver message credibility (by using the following actions
"...- Structure your message so it resonates and sticks. Use facts, statistics, quotes and subject-matter experts to strengthen and support your message. Don't use fluffy, ambiguous language.
     - Use numbered lists to help people follow your argument and understand the order of steps or choices. Use visual aids to captivate and convince.
     - Package your numbers to back up your assertions and make your argument undeniable.
     - Rehearse until you can't get it wrong, running through the key messages repeatedly, so you embed the general 'gist' of your message..."
Michelle Bowden, 2022)

2. Create personal credibility (by using the following:
"...- Become an expert in your niche through seeking opportunities for work experience, accessing mentors, studying and reading widely, and gathering relevant certification.
     - Communicate your credibility. Put your qualifications on your e-mail signature, social media profiles, display achievements and awards, client testimonials and use examples of successful projects and your role in them.
     - Raise your profile through various activities, including joining committees, attending company events and contributing to podcasts, vlogs and blogs.
     - Be trustworthy throughout, cultivating your authenticity, consistency, integrity, kindness and availability.
     - Refine your elevator pitch so you have a short, snappy response that helps you stand out when someone ask you the inevitable 'what do you do?'
     - Speak with elegance by removing filler words, speaking plain English, not repeating yourself, rehearsing, planning, your responses in advance and articulating your words. Breathe to help you stay calm under pressure.
     - Back yourself. Develop actions that remind you why you are an expert in your field and why you should be listened to..."
Michelle Bowden, 2022)

3. Build goodwill (by
"...- Being authentic throughout the persuasion process.
     - Accept others and build strong feelings of goodwill through not judging. Be likeable through being well-presented, smiling, laughing, showing your hands and listening actively.
     - Show warmth through making polite conversation with everyone, being generally interested in others and allowing everyone to feel that you accept them for who they are. Build rapport so others feel comfortable and at ease with you by showing interest, being friendly, showing empathy and genuine enthusiasm, finding common ground and learning the art of self-disclosure and small talk.
     - Make people feel good. Praise them, give welcome touch, use their names and remember key facts about them. Connect with people through trying to get to know them and maintaining direct eye contact..."
Michelle Bowden, 2022)

4. Arouse passion (by
"...- Turn up your charisma. Be confident, through your use of body language, good grooming, your smile and direct eye contact.
     - Be passionate - finding your own passion for your subject is essential if you are to persuade another. Be expressive in your gestures, facial expressions and vocal emphasis
     - Aim to speak faster, slightly louder and more fluently to captivate others. Use repetition to embed a point, either through literal repetition or repackaging. Use delivery techniques such as stories and metaphors to help people remember your point..."
Michelle Bowden, 2022