Brainy Dose Presents:
15 Psychology Tricks To Persuade Anyone
Persuasion is a very useful skill that comes
in handy in so many circumstances.
In fact, the art of persuasion is one of the
most practical skills you could learn.
Maybe you need to close an important sale,
or coax your boss into giving you a raise.
Perhaps you want to get your spouse to see
your point of view, or you simply want to
persuade someone to do a favour for you.
In situations like these, it’s good to know
how to use psychology to your advantage.
Especially, since convincing others (mostly
those with strongly opposing views) can be
difficult.
Understanding how and when to use the following
tricks will also help you detect when they
are being used on you!
Number 1 - Explain The Reason For Your Request
Have you ever had to stand in line for something
important, but you were in a real hurry?
Maybe you even tried to seek permission to
cut in line.
It probably didn’t work.
You know… you could have increased your
chances, if you had given a compelling reason!
You could have simply said something like:
“Can I cut in line?
I only have a few items and I’m in a rush.”
or, “Can I cut in line?
I’m about to miss my flight!”
Giving reasons for your request will increase
the chances of persuading the other person.
And remember, the bigger your request, the
more compelling your reason should be.
Number 2 - Use Polite Expressions
“Please” and “thank you” are magical
words that you need to learn to apply when
trying to persuade people.
As humans, we have been generally raised and
conditioned to react well to the usage of
these words.
We are more open to requests than instructions
- after all, no one likes to be ordered around.
A smiling face and a “please” can work
wonders.
So, use polite expressions whenever you’re
trying to persuade someone to do something.
You may just get your request granted.
Number 3 - Compliment
Compliments can go a long way.
They are very useful in persuasion, because
when you compliment someone, they are instantly
more open to hearing what you have to say.
Also, when you give people compliments, it
can change some of the preconceived notions
they might have had about you.
You just have to ensure your compliments are
very honest and subtle.
Complimenting people when you don’t really
mean it will do the exact opposite of what
you want it to do.
Number 4 - Offer A Drink
Take things a step further.
While talking to the person you’re trying
to persuade, offer them a warm beverage such
as a cup of coffee or tea.
Research suggests that a warm drink put in
someone’s hands can project feelings of
warmth from you toward them - making them
feel that you are a welcoming and likeable
person.
Be careful however, because giving them a
cold drink can have the opposite effect!
Number 5 - Be An Active Listener
One of the main qualities of top persuasive
people is that they are very good listeners.
Why is listening an important part of persuasion?
In persuasion, you’re trying to sell your
ideas, or get consent to your request.
But how do you get people to accept your request?
This is where listening becomes a real benefit.
Listening will help you understand the person
you’re trying to persuade.
You will come to discover some of the objections
and worries they might have regarding your
request.
And this will, in turn, help you to be able
to present your ideas and requests in more
appealing ways.
In the art of persuasion, listening is more
important than talking.
Number 6 - Use Fluid Speech
Confidence is key to persuading people.
When you speak with your sentences coloured
with hesitant words such as “like” or
“I mean”, it makes you appear less confident
and less sure of what you’re talking about.
Often times, people interpret fluidity in
speech to mean confidence and validity.
Basically, the more confident you appear in
your speech, the easier it will be to persuade
others.
Number 7 - Talk Faster
Talking at a faster pace can also help when
you’re trying to persuade people.
How’s that?
When you’re speaking quickly, the person
you’re speaking to has to listen quickly
enough to be able to soak in and follow what
you’re saying.
They won’t have enough time to pick apart
your points.
Talking faster will also make you seem more
confident.
When you’re speaking quickly and fluidly,
your listeners, either subconsciously or consciously
feel like your confidence indicates that you
really know what you’re talking about.
Therefore, they will be more inclined to listen
to your arguments and agree to your requests.
Number 8 - Repeat Speech And Action
Another psychology trick in persuading people
is to sometimes repeat their words and copy
their actions.
When you repeat what someone has said back
to them, it makes them feel like you are listening,
and they will be more compelled to talk, and
listen to you.
This can help you establish a bond with them,
and they will be more open to your request.
Even therapists and psychologists have been
known to use this method in trying to get
their patients to relax in their sessions
with them.
However, make sure that you don’t overdo
this, because you will come across as weird
or awkward - which is the exact opposite of
what you want.
Number 9 - Nodding
If you want people to feel like you’re paying
attention and agree with their opinions, then
nod!
Nodding is another psychological trick that
is often used by people when they’re trying
to persuade someone.
While having a conversation with someone,
nod occasionally to affirm what the other
person is saying.
When you do this while you’re talking, it
will be difficult for the listener not to
nod too.
They will eventually become more accommodating
and agreeable subconsciously to what you’re
saying.
Number 10 - Use Reciprocation To Create An
Obligation
Imagine a scenario where your neighbour lends
you their lawnmower or a colleague at work
unexpectedly passes you a lead.
How would you feel?
I can tell you how you’ll feel.
You’ll feel very grateful and feel like
you owe them something in return.
Often times, when you do someone a favour,
they feel obligated to return it; especially
when they weren’t expecting it at all.
You should learn to use this psychological
trick to help make your relationships buoyant.
The feeling of indebtedness in people will
trigger an obligation to reciprocate, and
when you make your requests, they’ll be
far less likely to reject you.
Number 11 - Use The Contrasting Technique
The contrasting technique is a very effective
tool that is commonly used in bargaining.
What is it all about?
The contrasting technique is mainly a method
in which you make demands which are much higher
than what you actually want, and then you
gradually bargain back down to what you really
desired.
This method works on people because of the
huge contrast between the first demand and
the bargained one.
In the other person’s mind, they think the
much lower price is relatively more ideal.
Number 12 - Use Timing To Your Advantage
Another key trick is learning to use timing
to your advantage.
If you study people closely, you will discover
that some people tend to be more agreeable
when they are mentally fatigued.
Whenever you have a request that someone might
not quickly consent to, watch the person closely
and make the request just after they’ve
done a mentally daunting task.
Even if you don’t get their response immediately,
you will at least be able to get the person
to listen to your demands.
You should note that there is no guarantee
though.
The success of this technique actually depends
on the person, but trying never hurts.
Number 13 - Use Balanced Arguments
The best concepts often have flaws in them—even
if very minimal.
While many people think the best way to persuade
others to buy an idea or perspective is to
focus on all the positives and totally avoid
all the negatives, research has proven otherwise.
It is actually proven that presenting a balanced
argument is the best way to convince someone.
Don’t completely focus on the positives
of your ideas and ignore the negatives.
Some people will see it as deceptive if you
don’t talk about the obvious negatives that
might come with your plans.
Even if they can’t find any flaws, they
will feel your ideas are too good to be true
and try to avoid having anything to do with
it.
It is easier to persuade people when you present
both sides of an argument.
They tend to deem you more trustworthy, and
will likely be more open to what you have
to say.
When someone trusts you, they are much easier
to persuade.
Number 14 - Use Congruence To Obtain A Wanted
Outcome
In your pursuit of the desired response, you
can get people to act even before they make
up their minds.
Let’s assume you are out with a friend,
and you want to watch a movie at the cinema
but your friend is not sure if they want to
go.
Here’s what you can do…
Start moving toward the cinema as your friend
is trying to decide what to do.
They will be more likely to agree with you
and go see the movie.
This is the same method salespeople apply
when closing a deal.
Because handshakes are often attached to cementing
deals, a salesperson will shake your hand
while you’re trying to make up your mind.
By doing this, they are more likely to close
the deal.
Number 15 - The Power of Repetition
The power of repetition should never be understated
or underrated.
I’m sure you know a song that you didn’t
like the first time you heard, but eventually
it grew on you after hearing it multiple times.
That is how powerful repetition can be.
Our brains like patterns and repetition in
establishing familiarity.
Many times, we like ideas and plans better
after we have been repeatedly exposed to them.
Whatever idea or argument you’re trying
to sell, the crucial information should be
repeated in different ways over the course
of your conversation.
You shouldn’t repeat them more than three
times though.
Because saying the same thing too often can
make the person resistant to it.
Too much of anything is bad.
Persuasion is key to getting others to agree
to your requests, but you should know where
to draw the line.
There is persuasion and there is manipulation.
They are both vastly different concepts.
Good intentions are always the mindset behind
persuasion, while manipulation always has
bad intentions.
A manipulator does not respect boundaries.
He or she will do anything to get someone
to agree with them - even if they have to
lie.
When lies and half-truths are involved, you’ve
crossed boundaries into manipulation and nothing
good ever comes from that.
So be sure to keep this in mind if you decide
to use any of these psychological tricks!
Have you ever used these tricks before?
Or, have you noticed others using them on
you in order to get you to do something?
Let us know in the comments below!
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