by Samuel Gitukui
Some people are naturally more persuasive than others. It comes down to their personality and the fact that they tend to be likeable people. When such a skill is brought into the business concept, it can prove to be an invaluable tool.
But what happens when you doubt your personality? Does that mean that you simply cannot take advantage of the power of persuasion? The good thing is, such tricks can be learnt and taken full advantage of. After all, which business person wouldn’t want to be able to convince others to buy more of their products?
Let’s take a look at 14 tricks that can significantly raise your ability to persuade people. Without further ado…
1. Understanding Your Audience
Before you even take the initiative to talk to someone, you need to understand them. Some audiences are made up of highly strong-willed individuals with dominant personality traits while others may be shy.
With the former, you need to also show that you are assertive for them to be willing to listen to you. The opposite is true with shy people. By lowering your assertiveness, you are less likely to appear too strong.
2. Create a Rapport
Most people approach other people as a target to be achieved. It’s no wonder their ability to convince them is questionable. For someone to be willing to do what you ask them to do, you need to create a connection at a more personal level.
Imaging if someone simply started explaining to you the benefits of a product. Your first impression would likely be that this is yet another sales person trying to sell me something. However, if someone began by telling you a story and creating a conversation and then gradually introducing a product, you would be more likely to make a purchase.
3. Don’t Be Too Pushy
People are naturally weary of people who come on a bit too strong. In fact, the natural reaction is to head the other way which would give you little chance to get them to buy your products. Subtlety is the name of the game. You need to be confident and yet still able to let your audience ease into the conversation.
Once your audience gets comfortable, your chances of convincing them goes up. By appearing friendly and introducing your product while giving your target a bit of time to make a connection, you can convince them that this is the best solution for their needs.
4. You Can’t Show Doubt
Using words such as “I think” or “possibly” is not the best way to appear persuasive. This instead makes you sound unsure. You need to appear confident and introduce the concept it in an articulate manner.
You also want to avoid talking too much. A good way to approach this is to ask questions and give your audience the chance to respond and to provide you with their views and opinions. This also helps to create an even better connection.
5. Express Yourself the Right Way
One of the best ways to get people to open up and become more receptive is by using the right tone, and body language. Crossed and uptight will normally revoke the same feelings from the audience. Try letting loose, less formal and talk in a casual and friendly way.
In this way, people will view you as a simple person to interact with which only makes it easy to establish a fruitful two-way conversation. Note that the trick is to share positive energy and you can only do this if you feel positive yourself. Other ways include maintaining eye contact and being enthusiastic.
6. Talk in a Clear Fashion
Remember what we said about being articulate? You will have to learn the subject so well that you can easily explain it to a child fast and easy. And when you are trying to persuade someone, you will also be able to tell them all about the important factors with a few short and concise words. After all you want to avoid being too mouthy.
If you can explain it to someone who doesn’t know anything about the product, you can definitely persuade someone who has some background information.
7. Uphold Honesty and Integrity
Trust me, people can tell a fake. If they spot any untrustworthy character in you, your chances of making a sale are pretty much over. People want to deal with people they can trust and they feel are genuine as opposed to someone who could sell you something that could potentially cause you harm.
To be persuasive, you simply need to be yourself. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is trying to be another person simply to make a sale. You do not have to step outside your character. Simply talk in a friendly way and show that you can be trusted by displaying a deep understanding of the product.
8. Accepting Other People’s Point of View
Try using statements like, “I see what you are saying” and “that’s a good question”. This expresses your willingness to listen and concede to the opinions of others. What that says to them is that you are not forcing your opinions and views onto them.
By showing that the opinions of others are valid and worth being considered, you gain more respect and appreciation which makes you better able to persuade them.
9. Ask Questions
As much as you need to explain your views, it is also highly important that you listen and ask questions. Most people get too much into explaining and do not give the other party a chance to talk. By asking relevant questions, you give your audience a chance to speak back.
People like people who listen. As you ask questions you are showing that you are attentive and that you care about what the person is talking about. That alone is enough to gain you the respect as well as the appreciation necessary to convince them to do what you want them to do which is to purchase your products.
10. Make the Presentation More Vivid
People are far more likely to understand a concept where visual presentations are made. But what if the situation doesn’t allow for this? You can breathe life into your explanations by including stories that help the audience to relate with the situation.
These stories will resonate in the minds of your audience for a long time. They create their own imagery which also makes it easier to persuade them.
11. Creating a Long Lasting First Impression
The first impression is crucial. You can make or break the progress of a conversation with the first impression. In fact, research has shown that people already have an impression of you within the first few seconds.
The remainder of the time people are often justifying their judgement. With this information in mind, you can decide on the right approach to create a strong first impression. You can achieve this by having the right posture, tone of voice, smile and being enthusiastic.
Once you succeed in making the best first impression, your potential clients will remember you and may stay loyal to your products.
12. Offer Your Clients Some Time
Being patient is a virtue that anyone in business should master. If you rush and become too urgent, the audience will likely hold onto their original opinion. However, people need time to accept change. By being patient with your clients, you are more likely to change their opinion to yours.
Sometimes the presentation might be a completely new concept to your audience. Before they can be familiar with it and get comfortable with it, they will obviously need time. Allow them a period for things to sink in. You will be surprised at the results.
13. Refer to Someone by Their Name
Names should not only be used when you meet a person. It is always as a good idea to refer to them by their name every now and then during the conversation. It gives them a feeling of validation making them more open to having a conversation with you which brings you even closer to making a connection.
Some people have trouble with names and tend to forget easily. However as with everything else, you can improve on this by training your mind to recall the names of different faces. In due time you will find that you can recall much more easily.
14. The Importance of Smiling
When you smile during a conversation you will find that people often smile back. Have you ever tried touching your eye when looking at someone and found that they were doing the same? This is because of human psychology where people naturally mirror the actions of someone else.
People who are good at persuading others will often carry a smile. This makes their audience drop their guard and engage them in a conversation which in turn makes it simpler to convince them.
Some people are naturally more persuasive than others. It comes down to their personality and the fact that they tend to be likeable people. When such a skill is brought into the business concept, it can prove to be an invaluable tool.
But what happens when you doubt your personality? Does that mean that you simply cannot take advantage of the power of persuasion? The good thing is, such tricks can be learnt and taken full advantage of. After all, which business person wouldn’t want to be able to convince others to buy more of their products?
Let’s take a look at 14 tricks that can significantly raise your ability to persuade people. Without further ado…
1. Understanding Your Audience
Before you even take the initiative to talk to someone, you need to understand them. Some audiences are made up of highly strong-willed individuals with dominant personality traits while others may be shy.
With the former, you need to also show that you are assertive for them to be willing to listen to you. The opposite is true with shy people. By lowering your assertiveness, you are less likely to appear too strong.
2. Create a Rapport
Most people approach other people as a target to be achieved. It’s no wonder their ability to convince them is questionable. For someone to be willing to do what you ask them to do, you need to create a connection at a more personal level.
Imaging if someone simply started explaining to you the benefits of a product. Your first impression would likely be that this is yet another sales person trying to sell me something. However, if someone began by telling you a story and creating a conversation and then gradually introducing a product, you would be more likely to make a purchase.
3. Don’t Be Too Pushy
People are naturally weary of people who come on a bit too strong. In fact, the natural reaction is to head the other way which would give you little chance to get them to buy your products. Subtlety is the name of the game. You need to be confident and yet still able to let your audience ease into the conversation.
Once your audience gets comfortable, your chances of convincing them goes up. By appearing friendly and introducing your product while giving your target a bit of time to make a connection, you can convince them that this is the best solution for their needs.
4. You Can’t Show Doubt
Using words such as “I think” or “possibly” is not the best way to appear persuasive. This instead makes you sound unsure. You need to appear confident and introduce the concept it in an articulate manner.
You also want to avoid talking too much. A good way to approach this is to ask questions and give your audience the chance to respond and to provide you with their views and opinions. This also helps to create an even better connection.
5. Express Yourself the Right Way
One of the best ways to get people to open up and become more receptive is by using the right tone, and body language. Crossed and uptight will normally revoke the same feelings from the audience. Try letting loose, less formal and talk in a casual and friendly way.
In this way, people will view you as a simple person to interact with which only makes it easy to establish a fruitful two-way conversation. Note that the trick is to share positive energy and you can only do this if you feel positive yourself. Other ways include maintaining eye contact and being enthusiastic.
6. Talk in a Clear Fashion
Remember what we said about being articulate? You will have to learn the subject so well that you can easily explain it to a child fast and easy. And when you are trying to persuade someone, you will also be able to tell them all about the important factors with a few short and concise words. After all you want to avoid being too mouthy.
If you can explain it to someone who doesn’t know anything about the product, you can definitely persuade someone who has some background information.
7. Uphold Honesty and Integrity
Trust me, people can tell a fake. If they spot any untrustworthy character in you, your chances of making a sale are pretty much over. People want to deal with people they can trust and they feel are genuine as opposed to someone who could sell you something that could potentially cause you harm.
To be persuasive, you simply need to be yourself. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is trying to be another person simply to make a sale. You do not have to step outside your character. Simply talk in a friendly way and show that you can be trusted by displaying a deep understanding of the product.
8. Accepting Other People’s Point of View
Try using statements like, “I see what you are saying” and “that’s a good question”. This expresses your willingness to listen and concede to the opinions of others. What that says to them is that you are not forcing your opinions and views onto them.
By showing that the opinions of others are valid and worth being considered, you gain more respect and appreciation which makes you better able to persuade them.
9. Ask Questions
As much as you need to explain your views, it is also highly important that you listen and ask questions. Most people get too much into explaining and do not give the other party a chance to talk. By asking relevant questions, you give your audience a chance to speak back.
People like people who listen. As you ask questions you are showing that you are attentive and that you care about what the person is talking about. That alone is enough to gain you the respect as well as the appreciation necessary to convince them to do what you want them to do which is to purchase your products.
10. Make the Presentation More Vivid
People are far more likely to understand a concept where visual presentations are made. But what if the situation doesn’t allow for this? You can breathe life into your explanations by including stories that help the audience to relate with the situation.
These stories will resonate in the minds of your audience for a long time. They create their own imagery which also makes it easier to persuade them.
11. Creating a Long Lasting First Impression
The first impression is crucial. You can make or break the progress of a conversation with the first impression. In fact, research has shown that people already have an impression of you within the first few seconds.
The remainder of the time people are often justifying their judgement. With this information in mind, you can decide on the right approach to create a strong first impression. You can achieve this by having the right posture, tone of voice, smile and being enthusiastic.
Once you succeed in making the best first impression, your potential clients will remember you and may stay loyal to your products.
12. Offer Your Clients Some Time
Being patient is a virtue that anyone in business should master. If you rush and become too urgent, the audience will likely hold onto their original opinion. However, people need time to accept change. By being patient with your clients, you are more likely to change their opinion to yours.
Sometimes the presentation might be a completely new concept to your audience. Before they can be familiar with it and get comfortable with it, they will obviously need time. Allow them a period for things to sink in. You will be surprised at the results.
13. Refer to Someone by Their Name
Names should not only be used when you meet a person. It is always as a good idea to refer to them by their name every now and then during the conversation. It gives them a feeling of validation making them more open to having a conversation with you which brings you even closer to making a connection.
Some people have trouble with names and tend to forget easily. However as with everything else, you can improve on this by training your mind to recall the names of different faces. In due time you will find that you can recall much more easily.
14. The Importance of Smiling
When you smile during a conversation you will find that people often smile back. Have you ever tried touching your eye when looking at someone and found that they were doing the same? This is because of human psychology where people naturally mirror the actions of someone else.
People who are good at persuading others will often carry a smile. This makes their audience drop their guard and engage them in a conversation which in turn makes it simpler to convince them.
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