Episode 567 - Mood Makers - How Emotional Intelligence Drives Getting To Yes
Maximize Your Influence
This episode delves into the significance of mood and emotional intelligence in persuasion. Kurt emphasizes the importance of creating a positive environment and shares various techniques to boost one's own mood and that of others, such as using genuine compliments, humor, and physical movement. Through anecdotes and scientific studies, Kurt illustrates how a positive mood can enhance receptiveness, creativity, and trust, ultimately increasing the chances of persuasive success.
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Episode 566 - Elicitation – The Art of Fishing For Information
Maximize Your Influence
In this episode, Kurt discusses the concept of elicitation, also known as the art of subtly extracting information without the other person realizing it. This technique is valuable in fields such as sales, negotiation, and leadership, as it helps gather crucial information to address people's needs effectively. Key topics include the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ), which involves understanding and managing both your own and others' emotions, and various elicitation techniques like open-ended questions, active listening, and creating a safe conversational environment. The episode...
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Episode 565 - Resistant Free Selling - Greasing The Squeaky Wheels Of Your Close
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In this episode Kurt discusses strategies for effective and seamless sales closing. He emphasizes the importance of creating a resistant-free environment by focusing on the needs and pains of prospects rather than prioritizing the sales agenda. Kurt introduces the concept of "greasing the squeaky wheels," which entails listening more, personalizing presentations, avoiding pushy sales tactics, and building trust. He provides practical advice, including offering options, providing guarantees, and using legitimate scarcity to ease the decision-making process for prospects. The episode also...
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Episode 564 - Contagious Charisma: Do You Captivate or Cripple with Your Energy?
Maximize Your Influence
In this episode Kurt discusses the significant impact that personal energy has on influencing and motivating others. He explores how positive or negative energy can affect interactions, whether in one-on-one situations or within a group setting. He also shares insights on fostering a positive environment, using examples from personal experiences and research. He provides practical advice on maintaining high energy levels, the importance of body language, the role of optimism, and how to positively influence and connect with others in various settings. The episode also includes a section...
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Episode 563 - Adapting To The New World Of Persuasion And Sales - New Research
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In this episode Kurt explores the evolving landscape of persuasion, sales, and influence. Kurt discusses contemporary trends, crucial sales statistics, and key tactics to adapt to these changes effectively. Topics include the importance of personalizing interactions, the impact of social selling, and the necessity of persistence in sales follow-ups. The episode also addresses imposter syndrome and offers insights into improving sales techniques to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market. Kurt emphasizes the need to adapt or risk falling behind, reinforcing the importance of continuous...
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Episode 562 - Bragging Or Credibility – The Art Of Self Promotion
Maximize Your Influence
In this episode Kurt addresses how to effectively promote oneself without coming across as bragging. Mortensen explores the fine line between building credibility and being perceived as boastful, especially in professional settings like networking events. He provides insights on the importance of having others vouch for you to build credibility, incorporating personal success stories subtly, and focusing on genuine, value-based self-promotion. Additionally, the episode delves into understanding pathological lying and how to spot and handle individuals who habitually lie. The show...
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Episode 561 - The 95% of Persuasion - What’s Your Focus?
Maximize Your Influence
This episode focuses on the concept that up to 95% of persuasion involves subconscious triggers, while most persuaders focus only on the 5% of logical reasoning. Kurt emphasizes the importance of understanding and leveraging these subconscious signals to maximize influence. He discusses various examples and strategies, such as the impact of scent on real estate sales, the role of the amygdala in emotional processing, and how different subconscious triggers can affect decision-making. Additionally, he provides practical tips on how to prime the subconscious mind for desired outcomes and...
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Episode 560 - The Psychology of Yes/No - FITD vs DITF
Maximize Your Influence
In this episode In this episode Kurt delves into the nuanced strategies of persuasion and negotiation, exploring when to seek a "yes," a "no," or even a strategic "yo." He discusses the psychology behind these responses and the importance of asking questions to influence outcomes effectively. Kurt also shares personal anecdotes, including a family trip experience, and reviews scholarly articles on cognitive shortcuts exploited by marketers. The episode concludes with a listener's question about employing these techniques effectively. Deal of the week - FREE Presentation Assessment- Rank Your...
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Episode 559 - How To Turn Fear Into Excitement Into Influence
Maximize Your Influence
This episode discusses how to transform fear into excitement to enhance personal and professional influence. He explores the common fears related to public speaking and decision-making, providing techniques to reframe fear as excitement, such as focusing on the message, visualizing success, and using deep breathing. The episode also features a Persuasion Blunder story illustrating the importance of managing customer perceptions, a scholarly article on performance anxiety, and listener email questions on handling presentation nerves. Additionally, Kurt offers a special opportunity for...
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Episode 558 - The Power of Clickbait, Intrigue And Curiosity In Influence
Maximize Your Influence
In this all-new episode Kurt discusses the psychological appeal and effectiveness of clickbait. He explains how curiosity, FOMO, and emotional triggers drive people to click on intriguing headlines. Kurt also shares tips on using these principles ethically in persuasion, sales, and presentations to engage and influence audiences. The episode covers similarity theory, the importance of building connections, and concludes with an analysis of overconfidence in achieving success, referencing an article from Psychology Today. Additionally, Kurt delves into the Zeigarnik Effect, which emphasizes...
info_outlineStructuring Persuasive Presentations
Why should we be concerned with the structure of a persuasive presentation? Top predictor of professional success is how much you enjoy and how good you are at public speaking. Studies also show the ability to give presentations was ranked as the most critical skill needed to move up in today’s business environment.
Before we jump into the meat of this topic, remember as you prepare your persuasive message that you want to focus on one defined issue. You are not there to persuade on ten different points. Stay focused and steer clear of sensitive issues that aren't on your original agenda. In other words, don't inadvertently offend your audience on one issue when your focus in on another. The structure of your persuasive message should follow the pattern discussed below.
- Create Interest
You have to generate an interest about your chosen topic. Your audience needs a reason to listen: Why should they care? What's in it for them? How can you help them? A message that starts with a really good reason to listen will grab the attention of the audience, enabling you to continue with the message. Without this attention, there is no hope of getting your message across.
- State the Problem
You must clearly define the problem you are trying to solve. The best pattern for a persuasive presentation is to find a problem and relate how it affects the audience. In this way, you show them a problem they have and why it is of concern to them. Why is this a problem to your audience?
- Offer Evidence
This is the support you give to your argument. Evidence validates your claims and offers proof that your argument is correct. It allows your audience to rely on other sources besides you. Evidence can include examples, statistics, testimonies, analogies, and any other supporting material used to enhance the integrity and congruency of your message.
- Present a Solution
You have gained your audience's interest and provided evidence in support of your message; now you must solve their problem. You present the argument you want them to believe and satisfy the need you have identified or created. You have created dissonance and now you are providing the solution. How can your product meet their needs and wants and help them achieve their goals?
- Call to Action
A persuasive message is not true persuasion if your audience does not know exactly what they need to do. Be specific and precise. In order to complete the solution to their problem, they must take action. This is the climax, the peak of your logic and emotion. The prescribed actions must be feasible. Make your call to action as easy as possible.
Using this type of structure facilitates people's acceptance of your message and clarifies what you want them to do. We all have a logical side to our mind, which results in our need for order and arrangement. If we don't sense some sort of structure, we tend to become confused. If you can't be clear, concise, and orderly, your prospect will find someone else who is.
Link to Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25811633