Avoiding Persuasion Pitfalls (Part 1)
by Kenrick Cleveland
"Linguistics is arguably the most hotly contested property in the academic realm. It is soaked with the blood of poets, theologians, philosophers, philologists, psychologists, biologists, anthropologists, and neurologists, along with whatever blood can be got out of grammarians."- Russ Rymer
What is it that has all these academics drawing blood?
I have an image of professors in tweed giving their intellectual enemies fierce tongue lashings.
What is it about language that incites so much arguing?
Language, despite it's beauty and potential, also divides and separates.
We all have been told, "The pen is mightier than the sword." And with that awareness, I'd like to explore the eight most dangerous words as applied to persuasion.
And this goes for any persuasion, especially when dealing with the affluent because you need the most consistency and confidence in your language to influence this elite group of individuals.
Every single one of these words has an exception, and feel free to explore and discover the exceptions and use them to your advantage.
If you're just starting out in persuasion, these are most definitely words you need to avoid because they have a way of backfiring.
When we first begin to understand the importance of rapport, it can be a tricky thing to keep hold of.
Persuasion, done well, starts off as a very weak force. In fact, it's a magnetic force where you're drawing them to you. You do that through rapport so that the affluent think you are them.
Stumbles and blunders in language such as these eight words can stop the rapport from flowing. They cut it off at the knees, so to speak, and cast doubt upon you. That's why I call them 'dangerous'.
BUT
'But' cancels out everything that was said before it.
"I'd really love to buy your product, but. . ." Hmm. .. that doesn't sound like a sale, does it?
"I think you're really fun to be around, but. . ." But, I don't want to be around you anymore.
As you can see 'but' cancels out absolutely everything before it. It's all gone.
TRY.
Try is not doing. It presupposes that you're going to fail. It doesn't exist. Either you do what you say or you don't, but 'try' is that in between nothingness.
I actually love the word 'try' and I use it all the time though until you're more advanced in persuasion, 'try' not to use it at all.
IF.
'If' weakens what you're saying. In that way, it's a lot like 'try' in presupposing that you 'might not' do as you say.
"If you want to sign up for our service. . ."
Doesn't sound too confident, too reassuring, too convincing, does it?
'If' lacks intention and strength. It doesn't support you and build you up. And worse, it gives your prospects a way out.
MIGHT.
'Might' is a wishy-washy word.
"I might buy your product." Give me an answer!!!
It just takes away all the personal power. Watch your personal power, enhance your power every single time you can. Speak with authority and you will be respected by the affluent AND rewarded by them.
Kenrick Cleveland teaches strategies to earn the business of affluent prospects using persuasion. He runs unique public and private seminars and offers home study courses, audio/visual learning tools, and coaching programs in persuasion strategies. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.
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