How To Persuade Any Audience

What makes an audience say "yes?"

Emotions. Experts in persuasion say that people make decisions because of emotional appeal. Something just 'feels right.' It's not necessarily logical. It's not always factual. But if we agree with the emotional story, we'll often buy in to what is being presented.

Follow these 3 how-to steps to persuade with emotions:

Tip 1. Go For Gut Feeling
Look at your presentation. Are you focusing on facts and features? Are you using language that resonates with the mind instead of the heart? If so, make a switch. Go for a more emotional and direct approach.

Tip 2. Plan Emotions On A Storyboard
Start with the feelings you want to ignite in your audience. What does your audience need to feel in order to make a smart decision? Organize your emotional story to guide the process. First, build trust. Show that you understand your client's situation. Be yourself in delivery and show you care. When you do this, your audience will make the emotional decision that: what you are selling is worth the price.

Tip 3. Be Yourself
Show your human side. Communicate directly and naturally. Let people know that you are authentic. Show emotion by speaking what you genuinely believe.

More often than not, people will buy in to what you are saying because they feel you are being real. Audiences buy from people – not from scripts.

Follow these three steps and you can connect with your audience, be natural, and persuade with emotional appeal.