Achtung!

So you need to persuade someone? Well you need their attention. The problem is we are surrounded by messages, advertisements, flashing signs, bright colours all trying to vie for our eye that we switch off to anything that at that moment does not seem important.

As Seth Godin pointed out in a TEDTalks interview, a cow is boring, a purple cow gets noticed.

So how can we get past a human mind that deletes 90% of what is placed before it?

· People listen to what they want to hear about. So couch what you want to say in terms of the other persons interests and desires. Empathize, stand in the other persons shoes. Remember, you are trying to take a person from where they are to where you want them to be. So you have to stand with them to walk them to your destination.

When a person is passionate about a topic they remember it with ease. Do you know what your persuades interests are?

· They need a motivation to listen to you. Are they in a good mood? Would it be better to wait until their present office crisis is over? Are they depressed, distressed, rushed or happy? A relaxed person is more likely to listen to you.

· Do they trust you? What may they have heard about you in the past? If you engender good feelings about you they may stop and listen. Is everything you say, is your body transmitting a truthful, confident air.

Get Attention

Use a controversial or eye opening statement If you could have anything you want, what would it be? This is an open question. In other words, it can’t be answered with a yes or no. It allows them to visualize and picture something in their minds and escape the routine of life. Ask

An engaging question
Can you remember the happiest moment in your life?

Arouse Curiosity If you arouse curiosity in what you have to offer then a person will want to know what you have to say.

“Research have found that the richest people on earth all know the same secrets that the rest of the world never knew. I finally discovered what they are,” suggests Master Persuader Michael Lee in his book “How To Be An Expert Persuader... In 20 Days or Less”.

Think about all those Ger rich online adverts you see – they almost all claim to have discovered the secret that the top 1% of marketers have kept hidden from the masses.

Come on the real world is full of challenges…..

Yes, the real world is full of challenges, distractions and as we have already mentioned, the simple moods of your customer.
The fact is you won’t sell pork to a Jew or Muslim. There is a barrier that they will not cross.
To persuade you must offer a win-win solution. Pork to a good Muslim is not win-win.

The chap that lives in a tent may be better to have a mobile phone than a landline. The renter is probably not a good prospect for home owners insurance.

If a person’s life or beliefs prevent them from using your service pushing a sale would only be disrespectful and time wasting. His attitude will be negative toward you and he will switch off.

Instead focus on what the other person feels they have some control over. Allow them to look to the future and dream with them and carry them with you from where they presently stand to the shared win–win solution you have to their problem.