Influence and Persuasion Skills
© Persuasive Presentations, March 2013
With Eric and Ernie you never knew what was going to happen, which is what
made them so engaging.
The opening of their TV show were always highly anticipated. Ernie would play it
straight and we would hold our breaths waiting for Eric’s entrance.
Not that you need to do something funny.
Creating surprise is about doing
something unexpected that peaks the interest of your audience.
We were at a networking event where the speaker was talking about mentoring.
He came onto the stage and before he addressed the audience for the first time,
he walked up to the flip chart and on the blank page wrote in large red letters,
£1,000,000.
Turning to the audience, he said in a very confident tone, “this is how much
money I’m going like to make for you.” Suffice to say he had their undivided
attention after that.
Create an Eager Want
We recently did a presentation looking at how salon and spa owners can boost
retail sales. We asked the audience whether they believed it was possible to make
similar revenues from product sales as they did from haircuts and blow dries etc.
Many didn’t but that was all the better for us. We explained that by the end they
would have a number of strategies for boosting their retail sales and the
confidence to use them. They may not have believed it was possible but they
were sure as hell going to see if we could convince them.
Come on to Music
There’s a reason why boxers enter the ring to an upbeat and exciting theme. It
creates energy and excitement in the room.
