Being a persuasive individual is a great skill.
Body language and confidence are crucial, but what you actually say is also very important.
Here are 21 key convincing phrases to keep in your quiver.
1) “Yes, and…”
By saying yes you immediately lower someone’s guard and resistance.
You can then add another part to this with the “and.”
This can be a highly effective way to agree with somebody and support them while also persuading them of something additional.
2) “This is my dream…”
There’s a reason one of the most persuasive speeches in history was Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech.
It’s because people love to hear about ideals, goals and dreams.
When you tell people about your dream they take an interest, because it’s inspiring, exciting and different.
What’s your dream?
3) “What motivates me the most in life is…”
When you say what motivates you, you give other people a clear picture of who you are, or at least who you want them to see you as.
Talking about what motivates you is an excellent way to connect to people and persuade them.
This can be a conversation starter or an opener of any kind, inviting folks into your world and asking them to let you know what they care about most, too.
4) “I guarantee you…”
Presenting somebody with a store warranty or telling them you’ve heard great things about a certain product, activity or place is reassuring.
But making it a personal guarantee is a definite power move.
By doing this you are putting your own reputation on the line and promising that the person you’re speaking to won’t be disappointed.
5) “Mark my words…”
This is a great emphatic phrase that’s also highly convincing.
This phrase is often used as part of a warning to emphasize to somebody that they should heed your advice or caution.
“Mark my words, you’re going to wish you didn’t keep dating that guy.”
And so on…
Persuasive!
6) “In my own experience…”
Saying this is an excellent way to tie what you’re saying to your own life and experiences.
In this way you are letting people know that you’re not just talking out of theory or abstract ideas.
You have your own experience and you’re willing to talk about it or at least refer to it in making your point, which tends to make whatever you’re talking about much more convincing.
7) “What if I told you…”
This is a great phrase to lead in and introduce something interesting, exciting and new.
When you say this you get other people on tenterhooks.
They want to know what you’re going to tell them.
8) “It’s not just a myth…”
Saying this is a big claim…
It all depends what you’re saying it about, and this will depend on how persuasive you can be.
“It’s not just a myth that you can earn six figures before age 25.”
Or;
“It’s not just a myth that you can marry and be happy for the rest of your life.”
These sound great! People will be interested, but it all depends what proof or methods you go on to provide to back up this initial claim.
9) “What do you need?”
When you ask what somebody needs you open up all sorts of possibilities.
Whether or not you can help them, you will gain a lot by understanding what they’re in need of.
You will also know much more about what you can say or do to persuade them.
10) “Let me see if I can help…”
When you offer to help you shift the balance of give and take.
Somebody now feels that you are the one providing something rather than them and are able to relax.
You now have a much easier time down the road of convincing them about something, since you’ve positioned yourself as a net asset, not somebody who wants something from them.
11) “Your problem has a solution…”
Those who have problems want one thing most of all: a solution to their problems.
Letting them know that you know of a solution is immensely relieving and persuasive.
This persuasive power can be used for ill or good, and we see how some sleazy cult leaders or politicians use it to manipulate people.
But it’s also possible to listen to somebody’s problems and try to provide real answers rather than just to control them.
12) “You’re entirely right…”
Who doesn’t like hearing that they’re right?
This is a great way to get somebody feeling appreciated and open to whatever you have to say next.
It’s basically a different way of saying you agree with someone and then adding more on top of it.
13) “My work with …. really opened my eyes to …”
This can be a bit of humble brag, but let’s not lie:
It can also be really convincing.
My work with Dr. Smart McSmart Ph. D. of the Institute of Smartness showed me just how important it can be to flash your credentials now and then.
(The Institute of Smartness and Dr. McSmart do not exist to the best of my knowledge).
14) “I’m willing to admit if I’m wrong…”
Far too many people try to persuade others by acting ultra confident.
Don’t get me wrong:
Confidence is a great thing, but it can come across a bit pushy if it’s not accompanied by some humility.
That’s why the above statement is such a great thing to say.
When you start off by admitting you might be wrong you gain a much deeper trust in those you’re interacting with.
15) “I know a highly effective technique for this…”
When you suggest a solution or approach to something that somebody hasn’t heard of, they’re going to respond positively.
Adding that it’s “highly effective” is a great addition.
It shows that you aren’t just throwing out random suggestions but are being selective about only pitching the very best.
If you can talk about how this approach or method worked for you it’s even more persuasive.
16) “I’ve been in your position and I know what it’s like…”
When you say this, make sure that you’re being authentic.
It’s hard to ever know 100% what it’s like to be in somebody else’s shoes, but if you can relate to the struggles they’re telling you about then the above phrase can he the right move.
When somebody feels heard and understood they’re much more likely to open up and to believe and listen to what you say.
17) “I’m not here to judge…”
When somebody feels liberated from you judging them, then they are able to open up a lot more.
This makes you much more persuasive, as any opinions or insights you do give down the road will now be framed as having come from a non-judgmental person.
Just make sure to try to be as fair as possible in the inevitable judgments or opinions you do offer.
18) “I have exactly what you’re looking for…”
Everybody likes to hear that they have been understood and that you have what they need.
Whether that’s a product, service, recommendation, book or medicine, letting them know that you’ve got it covered is a great idea.
They can rest easy knowing you understand their needs and have what they need.
19) “I’m not going to talk you into anything…”
This can be an effective persuasive phrase as long as it’s sincere.
Make sure not to say this only as a strategy before then trying to talk somebody into something.
Use it instead as a genuine marker of respect and boundaries, relieving the pressure from whatever you say next.
20) “I want to hear your perspective…”
By asking somebody else to share their perspective, you become a much more persuasive person.
This makes an important point here:
Much of being persuasive isn’t just in what you say, it’s in how you say it and also your willingness to actually listen to those you want to persuade.
21) “As …. said…”
This is what’s known as an appeal to authority:
You reference a wiser, older, more famous person than yourself and back up the point you want to make with them.
Persuasive politicians, preachers and gurus do it all the time, why shouldn’t you?
As French author Alexandre Dumas said:
“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next.
“What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.
“You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine!”
Why do these phrases work?
The reason these phrases work is because they combine intellectual and emotional intelligence.
By showing other people that you are confident in yourself but also hear and appreciate what they’re saying you gain trust and respect.
