Persuasive Conversation – What Makes Your Messages Persuasive?

Persuasive Conversation – What Makes Your Messages Persuasive?

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Do you wonder how some people seem to enter negotiations and always get what they want? They use a tactic called persuasive messaging, and you can get the skill, too. But first, you need to understand the basics of persuasion, a subtle yet vital skill that you can achieve through neuro linguistic courses.

Step 1 – Credibility and Confidence
The first step to becoming more persuasive and getting what you want is to come across a person who is confident but more important, credible.

People who enter negotiations and get the best outcomes do so with a sense of confidence that you may be lacking. If you are unsure as to why you are the best person for the job, why would the person interviewing think you were?

As well as using the right language and body language, you also need to be confident on the topic and subject at hand – and that means doing your research.

Step 2 – Know your ‘Audience’
Whether you are negotiating with a CEO of a large company or talking with an administrative assistant at your local bank, you need to know your audience and the field they inhabit.

In other words, what questions could they ask? What would their concerns be? What problems do they have or could possibly identify? More importantly, what solutions could you suggest, and what are the benefits to them?

By tailoring your language and body language to the person or the audience you are attempting to persuade, you will be more successful at reaching people.

Step 3 – Plan Your Opening
So, now you’ve worked out what you want, and you have worked out what needs to happen. You take the plunge.

But you stutter and talk too fast and your message is lost. Your audience looks baffled. This is because, as Neuro Linguistic courses will highlight, you have left out a key component of persuasive messaging: a strong opening.

If you watch seasoned and persuasive negotiators you will see that they all have one thing in common – a fantastic ability to open the conversation.

Again, this is tailored to your audience or the recipient. Depending on the situation, opening with a personal greeting and questions may work, or maybe you need to ask about their major concern.

Step 4 – Important information first
There is a saying that you should ‘save the best till last,’ but when it comes to persuasive messaging, this is not the case. Neuro Linguistic courses tell us that people concentrate more in those opening few minutes of a conversation, and this is the time to impart valuable information.

You have the confidence and the credibility. You have researched your audience and you have a strong opening. Now that you have their attention, you need to talk through the most valuable information first.

If you are attempting to persuade someone to buy a product that will save them thousands of pounds a year, you need to tell them this key information first.

What is it about your message that is important? Get that in first!

Step 5 – Concrete Language
We have all heard them: buzzwords. The latest words to describe the latest craze or fad. They can be useful, but they can also be irritating and annoying, a sign that someone is jumping on a bandwagon. The real problem is that many people use these buzzwords without fully understanding them.

To capture attention, keep it and to persuade people you need to use the right language. Also known as ‘concrete language,’ this is where you choose words that are not ‘flowery’, but instead give a clear picture.

For example, if the sofa is upholstered in grey fabric, say that it is. Or if the savings are significant when using the product, say that they are.

Step 6 – A solid ending
Persuasive messaging in business is not necessarily sales talk or patter. You don’t need to end on ‘buy my product here,’ but you need to leave the audience or recipient with a strong and memorable ending.

This doesn’t mean breaking out into song but instead thanking people, giving them the information they need to connect with you further, making arrangements, and asking them how they want to proceed.

Can You Become a Persuasive Messenger?
Neuro Linguistic courses help people to become persuasive messengers in all walks of life. Essentially, it is the process of changing your language and interactions so that they become more successful.

You can use these skills in your career and work life, as well as in your personal life. Why not take a closer look and enjoy even more success?

Nick Cooper
Nick is NCC's resident blog author and covers a range of subjects, including teaching and health & social care. NCC is an international learning provider with over 20 years’ experience offering learning solutions. To date, NCC has engaged with over 20,000 employers, and delivered quality training to over half a million learners.
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