15 secrets of people who know how to persuade
Do you want to get a promotion at work or for your wife to agree to go to your favorite Thailand, and not to your mother-in-law at the cottage? Then you need to pump up your persuasion skill. It’s time to learn how to do it.
Do you know what superpower people have that literally makes you bend to their way of thinking? The secret is simple. They have a knack for disposing of others. You might even say that you like them more than their ideas.
1. study your audience
Jedi of persuasion know their audience inside and out and use that knowledge to speak the same language. In doing so, they understand that everyone is different, and everyone needs a different approach. If you have to speak to people you don’t know, try to find out information about them in advance and prepare for the conversation.
2 Be open to communication
People are more likely to agree with what you have to say if they understand the kind of person you are. Give them the opportunity to get to know you better. Don’t get hung up on discussing specific issues and tasks. No matter how persuasive your arguments, you won’t succeed without making a personal connection.
Don’t be pushy.
Sometimes it can be hard not to cross the line between persistence and pushiness. When you pursue your goals, don’t be like a sales assistant in a store who just wants to help. Remember that being persistent and being pushy are different things. Don’t be aggressive in your remarks and respect your opponent’s point of view.
4. Down with shyness.
In the art of persuasion there is no room for shyness and insecurity. If you present your ideas as if they need approval, you won’t succeed. If you want to be persuasive, forget the phrases “I think”, “maybe that,” “I think.
5. Watch your body language.
Watch your gestures, postures, and facial expressions. A smooth posture, a smile, a calm voice dispose people and attract their attention to your speech. Your inner confidence in what you are saying will infect others. Remember, sometimes it’s more important how you speak than what you say.
6. Know the topic of your speech as “frost and sunshine…”
Do you want to convince anyone? Know your topic so well that you can explain it even to a child. Avoid complicated and abstruse phrases. Persuasive people can tell their ideas quickly and clearly. If you can explain something to someone with no experience in the field, you know you’re one step closer to your goal.
7. Be Sincere
Being sincere and honest is essential to being persuasive. No one likes fakes, and falsity is immediately noticeable. People are drawn to those who are sincere. The conclusion is simple. Be yourself! Don’t try to appear to be something you’re not.
8. Acknowledge other points of view
A powerful persuasive tactic is to acknowledge someone else’s point of view. Are you willing to admit that your arguments are not always perfect and that your point of view is not the only one? This will show that you are open to dialogue and willing to make adjustments to work together. Be an active listener rather than seeking to impose your ideas. Use expressions such as “I understand what you’re saying,” “it makes a lot of sense.”
9. Ask the right questions.
The biggest mistake people make when it comes to discussion is failing to hear what is being said because they focus on what they are going to say next or how what the other person says will affect them. Meaning is lost. A simple way to avoid this is to ask lots of questions. Clarifying questions show that you’re not just listening, but that you’re trying to get to the bottom of it. You’d be surprised how much respect and appreciation you’ll get just by asking questions.
10. Use visuals.
Studies show that people can be convinced of something much faster by backing it up with beautiful pictures. Liven up your speech with slides, visual images, and life examples. Draw vivid images in the minds of your listeners.
11 Remember about the power of first impressions
Seven seconds are enough to understand whether you like a person or not. Unbelievable, but true. Further communication is built on the initial reaction, subconsciously we try to justify it. But do not panic. On the contrary, it can be skillfully used. First impressions are closely related to body language and gestures. Do not forget about a straight posture, a smile, a confident handshake, and a positive attitude.
12. Know when to back off.
Urgency is a threat to effective persuasion. Don’t make people agree instantly. You shouldn’t be afraid to step back and allow time for reflection.
13. Greet people by name.
Address people by their first names. Addressing by name is not just a formal courtesy. It evokes pleasant emotions, a positive attitude, and trust. If you have trouble remembering names, don’t be afraid to ask the name a second time if you forget it.
14. Be pleasant.
Be able to insist on your point of view, while remaining pleasant in communication. Help others. Create a positive image. In the long run, this can make them like you.
15. Smile! And smile often!
People unconsciously repeat the gestures, the manner of communication of their interlocutor. If you want to be believed, don’t forget that. And if you have genuine enthusiasm for your cause, the smile will always be on your face!
Conclusion: Persuasion is an effective skill that can be developed just like any other. If you decide to become a pro at convincing anyone of anything, be prepared to work hard. Remember, the most important thing is to be confident and honest. Confident people energize those around them, and honesty pays off. A person feels that you can be trusted. If you back this up with strong knowledge of the topic at hand, interesting questions and pleasant communication, success is inevitable.
How to persuade people using psychological techniques of manipulating mental consciousness
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The skill of persuasion is a very important skill that each of us should master, because it is really useful in many situations of life. At work, at home, and in public life, the ability to persuade and influence others is one of the main tools in achieving a goal and personal happiness.
By learning the tricks of persuasion, you will be able to tell when someone is trying to influence you with them. Even if sales consultants or advertisers want to sell unnecessary goods, your money will stay with you. The article contains techniques that can be used to manipulate the human subconscious mind.
- The headline “FBI Agents Surrounded the Shelter of an Informal Organization Leader” creates a mental picture quite different from the one the article title “FBI Agents Raid a Small Christian Women and Children’s Gathering” evokes. Both titles are correct, but the words used change the internal images and feelings involved and thus change the meaning of the objective events one is describing. [1] X Source of Information
- Reframing is often used by experienced politicians. For example, during debates where the topic is abortion, politicians express their views using the phrases “pro-life” (pro-choice) and “pro-choice” (pro-choice). In English, the prefix “pro-” has a positive connotation, while the prefix “anti-” is negative. Reframing involves emotionally charged words that can be used to persuade people to their point of view.
- To formulate a persuasive argument, choose words that conjure up images (positive, negative, or neutral) in your listeners’ minds. Even along with ordinary words, one charged word can be effective.
- Another example. Let’s illustrate the difference between the statements “If I have a cell phone, I’m safe” and “If I have a phone, I won’t have a problem.” Think about which word is more effective for your message “problem” or “safety”?
- You can copy different hand or head gestures, or lean forward and backward. We all do this on a subconscious level, and if you pay attention, you’ll notice you’re doing the same thing.
- Take your time – wait 2-4 seconds before repeating the action of your interlocutor. Gesture imitation is also called the “chameleon effect.
- Know that this is a persuasion technique against which you are defenseless. Take this into account when you want to make a purchase.
- At work – give your coworker a vote.
- At home – lend your neighbor a lawn mower.
- No matter where or when you do it, the important thing is to complement the relationship.
Use time as an advantage. People usually act accommodating and submissive when they feel mentally tired. If you think someone won’t agree to your request, wait until they are tired. For example, if it’s work-related, you can intercept your colleague on the way home at the end of the day. Whatever you ask, the answer is likely to be, “I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
- To learn this trick, get the person to act before they make a decision. For example, if you’re out for a walk with a friend and you want to go to the movies and he’s hesitant, start moving toward the movie theater. The chances of going to the movie and seeing the long-awaited movie will increase if you move in the direction of the theater.
Speak quickly. When we speak, we tend to use interjections such as “hmm,” “I think,” and, of course, the ubiquitous “so to speak. Such speech fillers unintentionally present us in a worse light, making us seem less confident and, as a result, sound unconvincing. Speak with confidence, and you can easily convince your interlocutor.
- You can use this trick if you are seen as a leader – even if you don’t have an official title.
- Be charming and confident and people will value your opinion.
- If you’re dealing with someone who doesn’t see you as an authority figure (a higher rank or your significant other’s parents), you can still use “herd behavior” to your advantage.
- Praise a leader that person admires.
- By generating positive thoughts in that person’s mind about who they admire, you will be able to draw them to you and that person will associate those qualities with you.
Buy or borrow the person’s “best friend. To make people think you are a loyal companion and for them to be loyal in return, put a picture of your dog on the table (it doesn’t have to be yours). You will look like a team player, but don’t get too carried away. If you display too many pictures, people will think you’re unprofessional. [2] X Source of Information
Offer a drink. If you want to convince a person of something, offer them a hot beverage such as tea, coffee, or cocoa during the conversation. If you offer a warm drink, the person will subconsciously view you as a warm, pleasant and welcoming person. A cold drink can have the opposite effect. Generally, people feel cold and crave warm food and drink when they feel isolated from society. Satisfy their need and they will become more receptive to your words. [3] X Source of Information
