Brian Clark 10 timeless persuasive writing techniques Flashcards
Name the 10 timeless persuasive writing techniques?
The 10 techniques of persuasive writing:
1. repetition
2. reason why
3. consistency
4. social proof
5. comparisons
6. agitate and solve problems with persuasive writing
7. prognosticate
8. unify … selectively
9. address objections in persuasive writing
10. storytelling
Explain the persuasive writing technique of repetition?
Anyone who is familiar with psychology will tell you repetition is crucial. Repetition allows the reader to fully understand what you’re trying to say because you continue to repeat the main points. Of course, there’s good repetition and bad. To stay on the good side, make your point in several different ways, such as:
- A direct statement
- An example
- A story
Explain the persuasive writing technique of reasons why?
Psychological studies have shown that people are more likely to comply with a request if you give them a reason why. We don’t like to be told things or asked to take action without a reasonable explanation. When you need people to be receptive to your way of thinking, always give reasons why.
Explain the persuasive writing technique of consistency?
As humans we don’t want to appear inconsistent as that characteristic is associated with instability and flightiness, while consistency is associated with integrity and rational behaviour. Use this is persuasive writing by getting the reader to agree with something up front in your headline writing and introduction that most people would have a hard time disagreeing with. Then rigorously make your case, with plenty of supporting evidence, all while relating your ultimate point back to the opening scenario thats already been accepted.
Explain the persuasive writing technique of social proof?
Looking for guidance from others as to what to do and what to accept is one of the most powerful psychological forces in our lives. It can often determine whether or not we take action in situations. Obvious examples of social proof can be found in testimonials and outside referrals and it’s the driving force behind social media. But you can also casually integrate elements of social proof in your writing by using skill-full alignment with outside authorities to blatant name dropping.
Explain the persuasive writing technique of comparisons?
Metaphors, similes, and analogies are the persuasive writer’s best friends When you can relate your scenario to something that the reader already accepts as true, you’re well on your way to convincing someone to see things your way. But comparisons work in other ways too. Sometimes you can be more persuasive by comparing apples to oranges (to use a tired but effective metaphor). For example, when you’re learning how to create digital products, you won’t want to compare the price of your online course to the price of a similar one — compare it to the price of a live seminar or your hourly consulting rate.
Explain the persuasive writing technique of agitate and solve problems?
This is a persuasion theme that works as an overall approach to making your case. First, you identify the problem and qualify your audience. Then you agitate the reader’s pain before offering your solution as the answer that will make it all better. The agitation phase is not about being sadistic. It’s about empathy and writing better content. You want the reader to know unequivocally that you understand his problem because you’ve dealt with it and/or are experienced at eliminating it. The credibility of your solution goes way up if you demonstrate that you truly feel the prospect’s pain.
Explain the persuasive writing technique of prognosticate?
Another persuasion theme involves providing your readers with a glimpse into the future. If you can convincingly present an extrapolation of current events into likely future outcomes, you may as well have a license to print money. This entire strategy is built on credibility. If you have no idea what you’re talking about, you’ll end up looking foolish. But if you can back up your claims with your credentials or your obvious grasp of the subject matter, this is an extremely effective persuasive writing technique that also builds trust in relationships.
Explain the persuasive writing technique unify… selectively?
Despite our attempts to be sophisticated, evolved beings, we humans are exclusionary by nature. Give someone a chance to be a part of a group that they want to be in — whether that be wealthy, or hip, or green, or even contrarian — and they’ll hop on board whatever train you’re driving. The greatest sales letter ever written uses this technique. Find out what group people want to be in, and offer them an invitation to join while seemingly excluding others.
Explain the persuasive writing technique of address objections in persuasive writing?
If you’ve ever presented your case and left someone thinking, “Yeah, but …”? Well, you’ve lost. This is why direct marketers use long copy — it’s not that they want you to read it all, it’s that they want you to read enough until you buy. Addressing all of the potential objections of at least the majority of your readers can be tough, but if you really know your subject, the arguments against you should be fairly obvious. If you think there are no reasonable objections to your position, see what happens if you enable comments on your content.
Explain the persuasive writing technique of storytelling?
This is really a catch-all technique — you can and should use storyselling in combination with any and all of the previous nine strategies. But the reason why storyselling works so well lies at the heart of what persuasion really is … Stories allow people to persuade themselves, and that’s what it’s really all about. You might say that we never convince anyone of anything — we simply help others independently decide that we’re right. Do everything you can to tell better stories, and you’ll find that you’re a terribly persuasive writer.
