Do you want to be successful at influencing people? If so, here are the top 10 persuasion tips that will help you to do so.
Persuasion is an art and a science. It is an art because it is about understanding the person you want to influence and the situation in which they are. It is a science because you need to understand the mechanisms that will cause a person to change their mind.
I’ve read hundreds of books and listened to thousands of podcasts and watched hundreds of videos to come up with the top 10 persuasion tips that will help you influence people.
I’ve talked with thousands of influencers, from small business owners to top executives, and observed their body language, speech patterns, and personal dynamics. I’ve spoken with experts who work on the science of persuasion to learn how they approach the subject.
The Top 10 Persuasion Tips
Here are the top 10 persuasion tips that I’ve come up with:
1. Use the right words
This is the most basic way to influence someone. When you use the right words, you will sound more credible and your message will be more persuasive.
Words are an extension of your mind and they create ideas in your listener’s mind. Words are powerful tools that can change the way someone thinks and feels.
“It’s not what you say, but how you say it” – Henry Ford
2. Use the right tone
A listener will subconsciously take on the emotions of the person who is speaking. If you are speaking in a light, fun, happy voice, you will convey positive energy and be more persuasive.
3. Say what you mean
If you are speaking to someone, don’t just say what you want them to hear. Say what you mean. Do you want your message to be heard? Say it. Do you want to persuade someone? Say it.
4. Don’t try to be liked
If you’re trying to be liked, you will come off as insincere and appear phony. If you want to persuade someone, you should try to be respected, not liked.
5. Have a point to make
Don’t just speak to influence people. Speak to persuade them. If you don’t have a point to make, how can you influence people?
6. Be authentic
People are more likely to listen to you if they believe that you are genuine and that what you are saying is true.
7. Know your audience
If you don’t know your audience, you will not be able to persuade them. You will also be unable to be persuasive to them.
8. Show empathy
People want to feel empathy towards you and believe that you care about them. If you don’t show empathy, you will come off as cold and unfeeling.
9. Speak to your audience’s values and beliefs
People want to do what is right and what is best for them. When you speak to your audience’s values and beliefs, you will be more persuasive.
10. Be consistent
If you want to influence someone, you must be consistent in what you say, do, and how you act. If you are inconsistent, you will be perceived as untrustworthy.