If you’re looking for new ways to persuade people, just read on and learn how to become a master at the art of persuasion. First, I want to clarify that persuasion is not manipulation, because while manipulation is coercion through force to make someone do something they don’t want to do, persuasion “is the art of getting people to do things that are in their own best interest that also benefit you.” There are a lot of resources available online that can help you master this skill, you just have to be willing to put a bit of effort into it and to have enough patience. It’s extremely important to develop this skill, since it will help you get ahead in business and personal relationships. Most influential people on this planet, whether they are political leaders or important social figures, are incredibly persuasive. You can be this way too, if you just pay attention to these next very efficient ways to persuade anyone to do anything easily:
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1. Do Your Homework
One of the most efficient ways to persuade people to do something that is in the best interest of both of you is by bringing good arguments, so make sure you do your homework first. You should be able to understand your viewpoint, so try to find all the facts, without assuming that you know what the other person is thinking. Let’s say that you are trying to convince one of your friends to go to the movies with you; you should know what movies are playing, what would they like best and why this would be a pleasant experience for the both of you.
2. Use Examples
Make sure you back up your reasoning by using vivid examples, because they will help you illustrate your points. Let’s say that you are trying to convince your significant other to go on vacation with you to a certain place; be prepared and give them examples with the things they will be able to do or see there or remind them of other times they did something you suggested and they enjoyed themselves as well.
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3. Dress up
Well, this works only if you are trying to persuade someone you don’t know very well, for example, someone you interact with while you’re at work. Make sure that you don’t fall into the trap of patronizing others or of being condescending. Just because you’re well-dressed, that doesn’t make you a better person. Of course, you do look more professional and people will take you more seriously, yet make sure you dress up but don’t talk down!
4. Be a Good Listener
Try to be a good listener and really pay attention to what the other person is telling you. Speak their language. For example, you could use humor to convince them of a certain thing if they like jokes and funny stories. Make sure you match even their body language, so you can communicate more efficiently. Try to avoid verbal fillers like “um” or “uh” because they will make you lose your credibility and the other person will think that what you are saying is not that important.
5. Do Something for Them
If you’re asking for something from someone or if you are trying to convince them to do a certain thing for you, then make sure you do something nice for them in return. If you do that person a favor first, they will be more willing to help you later, so try to be nice to people and help others, even if they don’t ask you to do that. They will appreciate it and they will return the favor when they will have the chance to do it.
6. Good Timing
If you want to convince someone to do a certain thing, make sure you know what’s the best time to do it. For example, try to avoid asking for favors from people before lunch, because they will be more willing to say no, since they will be hungry and they won’t have enough patience to listen to your request. From this point of view, it’s easier to persuade someone you love, since you know them better.
7. Be Persistent!
I’m not saying you should annoy them, just be persistent and be as convincing as possible, because persistence does pay off. Don’t give up if you got no for an answer; some people might just test you to see how determined you really are. Just like Jason Nazar said, “The person who is willing to keep asking for what they want, and keeps demonstrating value, is ultimately the most persuasive."
If you want to convince someone to do a certain thing, make sure first that you believe in it fully yourself and the rest will come easy. What problems have you encountered when trying to persuade people? Do you know any other efficient ways to persuade anyone to do anything easily? Please tell us about them in the comments section!
Sources: lifehack.org, wikihow.com, forbes.com