How to Influence Using Persona

(16404) Dave Lakhani says:

Persona is the invisible persuader. It’s so pervasive and such an integral part of hte persuasive process that very few people take note of it, or think too much about it. There are three components of your persona you must focus on and develop in order to enhance your persuasion skills and processes:

1. Your appearance — because whether you realize it or not, people judge you by how you dress and your personal grooming standards. Dress better and you will become more persuasive in everything you do.

2. Your voice and communication skills — since this has a great deal of impact on your ability to persuade. Learn to vary your voice to maintain interest and underscore important points. If people like listening to your voice and the pace at which you present new information, this will automatically make you more effective in persuading them.

3. Your positioning — which simply means whether others perceive you as being successful or not. Manners and mannerisms contribute strongly to your personal positioning. If you project the air of authenticity and professionalism, you move into a position where others will be influenced by what you have to say. Conversely, if you come across like a homeless person or even an absent-minded professor type, it will be very difficult to get people to do what you are suggesting. Powerful people use etiquette to good effect.