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Linguistical Pitfalls in Persuasion (Part I)

"Linguistics is arguably the most hotly contested property in the academic realm. It is soaked with the blood of poets, theologians, philosophers, philologists, psychologists, biologists, anthropologists, and neurologists, along with whatever blood can be got out of grammarians." - Russ Rymer

What's all the fuss about linguistics that has academics drawing blood?

I have an image of professors in tweed giving their intellectual enemies fierce tongue lashings.

And what is it about the study of language that could have these normally peaceful types (poets, writers) soaked in blood?

Language, despite it's beauty and potential, also divides and separates.

We all have been told, "The pen is mightier than the sword." And with that awareness, I'd like to explore the eight most dangerous words as applied to persuasion.

Consistency, confidence and congruency are the most important tools for speaking with our affluent prospects and these eight words erode all three of these.

Every single one of these words has an exception, and feel free to explore and discover the exceptions and use them to your advantage.

Be very, very cautious, especially if you're a beginner with these skills. In general, you should ignore these words, stay away from them, don't use them at all. They will absolutely backfire.

Understanding the importance of rapport is key. After that, gaining and keeping rapport can be quite tricky.

The goal of rapport is to become a magnetic force with your affluent clients and prospects. You draw them to you and have them thinking, 'This person is like me. I want to work with him.'

Stumbles and blunders in language such as these eight words can stop the rapport from flowing. They cut it off at the knees, so to speak, and cast doubt upon you. That's why I call them 'dangerous'.

BUT.

Whatever you say before the word 'but' is automatically canceled out.

"I'd really love to buy your product, but. . ." Hmm. .. that doesn't sound like a sale, does it?

"Your product seems to fit my needs, but. . ." I'm not going to buy it.

After 'but' rears its head, everything said prior, is extinguished.

TRY.

There is no such thing as try. Try doesn't really exist. Try always presupposes failure, so you've tried and tried and tried and tried. You either do it, or you don't do it. You either are or are not. You are not in the middle.

Try is an excellent word to use on an advanced level, and until you're there, don't use it.

IF.

'If' is a weak word similar to 'try'. It presupposes that you "might not" do as you say.

"If you like what I'm telling you about today, maybe you'd like to see about possibly, you know, signing up."

Does 'if' instill confidence and reassurance? Not really.

'If' lacks intention and strength. It doesn't support you and build you up. And worse, it gives your prospects a way out.

MIGHT.

Another of our wishy-washy weak words is 'might'.

"I might buy your product." Give me an answer!!!

Don't let these little linguistical pitfalls take away your personal power. When you speak authoritatively, you garner the respect of the affluent. The reward for this is their business.

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

Kenrick Cleveland teaches strategies to earn the business of affluent prospects using persuasion. He runs unique public and private seminars and offers home study courses, audio/visual learning tools, and coaching programs in persuasion strategies.
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