20 Techniques Of Persuasion

Here are 20 techniques of persuasion that I learned from Robert Cialdini in his book Influence (Amazon).

#1.
Scarcity motivates.

• For if I can’t get it tomorrow, I better get it today.

#2.
Competition can motivate people too.

• Because if only one of us can have it, I don’t want to miss out.

#3.
There is an allure of the forbidden. For children too.

• Want a teen to listen to a song? Get their parents to forbid it.

#4.
You can create scarcity by imposing a deadline.

• See, artificial scarcity works too.

#5.
The visuals of a situation matter.

• The visuals of something rule the day. See the McGurk Effect.

#6.
Status and credentials can be imposing. And people will follow authority.

• Doctors and celebrities endorsing things is not an accident.

#7.
People are drawn to similarities.

• Don’t get a California lawyer to talk to a rural Texas jury. Get it?

#8.
Free food works.

• Because all reciprocity works.

#9.
Positive association can be powerful. For attractive is better than unattractive. And we hate negative association.

• Associate with your brand with things people like, and things that make people safe and happy.

#10.
If in doubt, praise people.

• Giving an adult affirmation is so rare it will stand out like a rose in winter.

#11.
Relationships are everything.

• Naturally, my best friend can sell me easier than a stranger.

#12.
People tend to go along with the people around them. Kids use this too.

• Texans are prickly about Oklahoma people. Why? Because other Texans are prickly about Oklahoma people.

#13.
People follow inner responsibilities, not external rules.

• This is important in general persuasion, and paramount in parenting.

#14.
Tell people who they are.

• For we are hardwired with a need to be consistent.

#15.
Give people concessions during a negotiation.

• Allowing others to have some of what they want makes them more likely to give you some of what you want.

#16.
Exaggerate what you want. Because being willing to compromise is persuasive.

• In order to give something to others in #15, ask for more than you want to begin with.

#17.
Be generous to others. Give favors, and gifts, and money.

• Because people are hardwired for reciprocity.

#18.
Show contrasts and highlight the differences in things.

• This has to do with setting a mental anchor.

#19.
Keep it simple.

• For people are drawn to clarity.

#20.
Make people think they are getting a good deal.

• The prospect of a fleeting good deal is a highly motivating.

Do not miss my other popular post: 31 Persuasion Tips I Learned From Scott Adams