3 Strategies to Make Yourself More Persuasive

In today’s business world, persuasion is essential. If you can inspire others to action, there is no telling what you can do. But how can some people be so stinkin’ good at motivating others and the rest of us struggle? Great persuasion is an art form and one that can be learned. 

What would it mean for your career if you could regularly convince others that your ideas have value? 

Ideas that will help you learn to be more persuasive:

1. Be confident. You may feel that your opinion doesn’t matter, but presenting yourself in such a way that is convincing is more inspirational than second-guessing yourself. There are numerous ways we show a lack of conviction, such as body language, using qualifiers like “I think, probably, maybe and possibly,” and a lack of eye contact. Make sure you stand up (or sit up) straight (yes, even on ZOOM calls), make excellent eye contact (look into the camera), and present your ideas like they’re an obvious fact. Your confidence is paramount.
2. Connect with those you wish to influence. Whether you’re trying to influence one person or a multitude, it’s essential to create a great rapport. The level of trust and connection you can establish will directly affect your ability to influence others. There are plenty of ways to develop a good relationship: being honest and genuine, showing others that you can be trusted, showing the other person what you have in common, and mirroring body language (yes, even on ZOOM calls).
3. Use reciprocity to your advantage. Studies show that you’re much more likely to return a favor after someone does something for you, so do something for the person you’re trying to persuade. Maybe you send them a gift card or offer them something of value for free. 

The ability to inspire others to action is vital in our global economy. Since there is so much competition in the world today, having persuasive skills will be extremely valuable to you.

*Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt’s past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 200 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry. 

Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact. 

For more info, check out his video | https://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0