Powerful Persuasion Tips. The latest and Archive.

PPT #1 19th November 2008

One-on-one personal messages are the most powerful.

Deliver your message in a one-on-one, personal way.

Do this by using the first person when you speak or write. Barack Obama does this all the time.

On his website Barack Obama has this message on almost every major page, in the header:

I'M ASKING YOU TO BELIEVE. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington I'm asking you to believe in yours.

The message is very personal:

"I'm asking you"
"Not just about my ability"
"I'm asking you to believe in yours."

Compare the original message with this version:

"The request to America is that it trusts not only me to bring about real change in Washington, but that America trusts itself as well".

Of course, the original message is better, much better.

On the website, notice the picture of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. They are both smiling and come across as approachable and friendly.

The picture is right next to the personal message. This all reinforces the one-on-one personal communication.

The picture is on almost every major page as it is part of the repeated heading.

Notice that on his index page, Barack Obama has written "Thank You" in longhand script. It comes across as a personal thank you note from friend to friend.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Let's say your local school is to hold its annual PTA meeting to elect a committee for the coming year. You have children at the school and are standing for election. The main issue is whether the school should build a new swimming pool. You are in favor of building the pool.

You are canvassing one of the parents, Peter, who has two children at the school, Elizabeth and Joe.

Here are two ways you could broach the issue of the pool:

Approach One

"Vote for me and I will support the acquisition by the school of a new bathing facility".

Approach Two

"Peter, vote for me and I will do my best to get a new swimming pool at school for Elizabeth, Joe and all the other kids."

Of course, Approach Two is the most powerful and effective.

This is because the message is delivered one-on-one, is personal and is in the first person.

LAST POINT

If you communicate in writing or on the web, include your picture and use handwriting where appropriate.

Thank you

PPT # 2 26th November 2008

Don't overlook the obvious!

People are not likely to be persuaded by someone who always has an unpleasant expression on their face.

Remember to smile. Obama often smiles - even when fairly unpleasant things are said about him during debates. Obama's general expression is one of pleasant firmness.

Caution: Obama looks calmly confident because he genuinely believes in his cause.

Practical application: Make sure you believe in your cause before you embark on a campaign of persuasion about anything. If you don't, your hypocricy show immediately!