How to persuade people

Knowing how to persuade people is a very important life skill.

The reason why is because persuasion allows you to influence and control certain factors which are in the power of other people. Meaning persuasion allows your ideas and thoughts to be heard and implemented and therefore gives you more control in your life.

So if you are able to get good at persuading people, this will greatly increase your chances at success and happiness.

These strategies if followed correctly will make you more persuasive:

Radiate Confidence

Feel confident, look confident, act confident. This is always the first step to making anyone do anything. Make sure you have this simple part down because it is very important in your overall process. If you have some doubt, check out this article on boosting your self-confidence.

Keep a "Glass Half Full" Perspective

Frame your side of the debate in a more positive way to give meaning and feeling to your argument. This is sort of the glass half full thing. You don’t want to say anything that’s negative or not positively affecting your argument.

An example could be between the two statements “A cellphone will keep me safe” which is a positive statement and “A cellphone will keep me out of trouble” which is negative.

Now which word do you think is more effective “safe” or “trouble”?

Repeat your arguments

Persuasion is all about repetition.

Try to subtly repeat your argument again and again in different words and ways. Repetition is the father of learning and before the other person knows it you will through repetition plant a small idea in the others persons mind, which will eventually grow into an idea.

Try to Create a "Yes" Mood

Try to make the conversation, positive and in a “Yes” mood before you start.

Ask questions or give comments that will give you yes responses such as “beautiful weather today isn’t it?” or “Your baby is so cute”

Going back to the idea of repetition, this reoccurrence of yes will eventually begin to stick, therefore helping the persuasion process.

Mirror Your Target

Mirror the other person’s movement and body language. As you do this you will create a sense of understanding in the other person which will benefit you in persuading him/her.

Keep your speech fluid and smooth

Don’t make a lot of breaks and use of a lot of transition words such as “ummm” and “I mean”. This makes you seem less confident and ruins your chances of persuading the other person.

It also gives the other person more time to think, which when it comes to persuasion is never a good thing.

Timing is Fundamental

Don’t try to persuade someone on the bus or in the taxi. The reason why is because at these times most people have their defences up.

A possible good time would be after dinner, when the target person is relaxed and comfortable.

Tips:

• Offer a warm drink. Warmth even to the touch lowers the persons mental defences and increases your chance to persuade the person
• Don’t get discouraged if your persuasion doesn’t work the first time. Everybody is different and you might have to fine tune your skills to make it work