The Three Principles of Authentic Persuasion3 min read

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Today, I’m going to write about one of the most important skills any of us can possess as self-employed professionals:

The power of Authentic Persuasion.

Ultimately, If you can’t persuade, you won’t attract many clients.

But first, let’s get very clear: persuasion is not about manipulation or coercion.

It’s about convincing people to take action towards something they already want, and doing so in a way that’s respectful, honest, and ethical.

So, how do we persuade people without being pushy or manipulative?

It all starts with understanding the three fundamental principles of authentic persuasion.

And the first principle of authentic persuasion is simple: know your audience.

You can’t persuade someone if you don’t understand what motivates them.

You first need to understand their needs and concerns and frame your solution in a way that speaks to those needs.

But before you event attempt to make a case for your services, you need to ask good questions and really listen.

Most importantly, what is their situation, what are their challenges, and what are their goals?

Remember, everyone has their own unique perspective, and it’s up to you to understand that perspective in order to make your case effectively.

The second principle of authentic persuasion is credibility.

If you want people to take action based on what you say, they have to trust you.

And that means being honest, transparent, and straightforward. Don’t oversell your professional service, and don’t make promises you can’t keep.

And, by the way, I find you don’t really need to pitch. It’s more important to completely answer a prospective client’s questions.

And in your answers, be confident and clear about what you can deliver, and be honest about any limitations or risks involved.

When people feel like they can trust you, they’ll be much more likely to take action based on your recommendations.

The third principle of authentic persuasion is emotional connection.

People are also more likely to take action when they feel an emotional connection to the outcome and to you as well.

That means tapping into their hopes, fears, and aspirations, and framing your solution in a way that speaks to those emotions.

It also means being open and vulnerable.

Share your own story, what you learned, and the mistakes you made on your journey to becoming a trusted advisor.

When you’re speaking to a prospective client, remember that they are more likely to move forward when they feel that you both understand and care about them.

Now, all of this may sound like serious business, but let me assure you that persuasion can also be a lot of fun.

After all, if you’re not enjoying the process of persuasion, you’re probably not doing it right.

So, how can you inject a little humor into your persuasive efforts?

Well, for starters, don’t take yourself too seriously. :–­)

Be willing to laugh at yourself and your own mistakes, and be willing to see the humor in even the most difficult situations.

When you can lighten the mood and make people smile, you’ll find that they’re much more open to you and your ideas.

I want to encourage you to embrace the power of persuasion.

Remember that persuasion is about building connections, earning trust, and tapping into people’s emotions.

And when you can do all of that with a smile on your face, there’s really no limit to the contribution you can make.

So, get out there and start authentically persuading!

Cheers, Robert

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