Today I will share with you, two techniques I use to be more persuasive.
Throughout my journey of learning how to become more persuasive, I came across so many techniques on how to speak to be more convincing.
As part of my toastmaster’s journey, I choose persuasive speaking as one of my pathways. I have read many articles and watched many videos on how to be more convincing. This pathway, or journey, that I am currently on is so rewarding but leaves me with many questions, such as which persuasive technique to use. In this blog, I want to share the methods I have learned.
Firstly, in Aletta Rochat’s book, Speak, Connect, and Succeed, she shares a technique called the “Then, Now and How” technique. In this technique, the “Then” refers to how it was before your solution; what worked and didn’t? How long did it take? What were the challenges? What were the pain points? Where did the frustration lie? The “Now” refers to how things have changed after implementing my idea. What is working well? How long did it take to work? What is more accessible or better? What is possible now that was not possible before? How do you feel about this? The “How” refers to the action you took; what action did you take that made the change a reality? How will they benefit? How can your audience take advantage of this? How will they help? What is the exact next step you want them to take? My current view is that this technique you can use in a situation where you did the work before and now want your team or company to adopt this idea or your way of doing it. What other technique can you still use?
Secondly, I was taught a technique by Aletta Rochat that she refers to as the last-minute presentation secrets. Here she shares that if you want to be more persuasive, you have to structure your speech in the following manner:
- You start with, what she calls, the T-shirt slogan. Here you share one sentence that is memorable and easily repeatable.
- You then share your Topic. Simply as possible, what your presentation is all about.
- Next, you share the problem; you state or share what problem you are solving.
- You then share why you care? What got you interested in the topic or problem, and what impact did this have on your life.
- Next, you share why someone else cares or your audience. How does this problem relate to them.
- Next, you talk about the threat. What happens if they do not listen to you. What can I lose or not gain? Describe the threat or impact of the problem.
- Next, you state the solution. What do they need to know? For example, a quick start guide, not extensive details, do not overwhelm your audience; just share enough information to help them take the next step.
- Next, you share the Benefit. What is in it for me, the company, or the team.
- Next, you want to share the Promise. What will “it” look like when I do it your way.
- Lastly, share what is next. End with your T-Shirt slogan and the exact next step you want your audience to take.
Aletta mentioned that if all else fails, and if you can’t remember all these steps or don’t have time to go through each, at least share why you care and why your audience should care, and then end with your next action step.
To summarize, you can use either technique. You can use the “The, Now and How” method or the Last minute presentation mastery technique. Which one would you use, and in which situations? What would you change about these techniques, and why? Maybe persuasion comes to you more naturally? What do you say you do when you are being persuasive? What was the most challenging situation you have found yourself in that you needed to be convincing? I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic since I learn as much from you as you do from me. If you have read up until this stage, thank you for your time.
Have a good day, or a good evening, and a good life.