Charlotte Grainger 
Make these small changes to your language and you will soar!
Imagine yourself captivating your audience - having them hang on your every word. If you want to know what sets some speakers apart from the crowd, the answer is easy: persuasive language techniques. Choosing your words carefully and projecting your points well could entirely transform the way other professionals engage with you.
Should you be looking for a way to up your game, we've got you covered. In the following guide, we'll be illuminating what persuasive techniques are and sharing some of the most effective examples. Read all about them and start using them in your workplace!
What are persuasive techniques?
Persuasive techniques are approaches you can use to encourage others to side with your point of view. In an extreme example, the most powerful leaders in the world use these strategies to gain a mass following. However, you can use persuasive language techniques to get ahead in your career and elevate your professional life to new heights.
If you have the mastery to persuade others to agree with you, you can conquer every area of the business world. Of course, these techniques work wonders in the sales sector but it doesn't start and end there. Using these approaches can help you to excel across the board.
10 examples of persuasion techniques
If you're looking for some key examples of persuasive techniques, you've come to the right place. While there's a rainbow array of approaches you can use here, we've picked out the top ten. Here are the main persuasive language techniques you can use at work:
1. Good body language
You can be saying all of the right things, but if your body language isn't on point you're missing a trick. One of the best persuasion techniques is to improve your body language when you're talking to people. That could be your boss, coworkers, or even clients.
Something as simple as sitting up straight or not touching your hair when you speak can help you to project a level of confidence. That minute change may make all the difference when you're trying to convince the other person of something that's important to you.
2. Framing your arguments
It's not what you say, it's the way that you say it. When you want someone to agree with your argument, choosing to frame it well is the answer. For example, let's say you work in sales and 40% of your leads result in sales while 60% don't result in any conversion at all. You could say that 60% of customer leads don't convert. That's highly negative and sounds like you're doing a poor job. A better way to frame your point - if you want to look like a pro - is to say that you have a 40% sale success rate. By changing the language that you use and focusing on the positive side of the point, you switch the narrative.
3. Inclusive language
Looking for someone to help you out at work? There's a big difference between saying, “I have a problem,” and “We have a problem.” The latter draws them into the situation and suggests that this is a group issue you must work on collectively. It's that simple.
That's just one instance where inclusive language can help you to get what you want. However, it's smart to use this type of rhetoric in all areas of your business life. When you centre the focus on yourself by saying “I,” you immediately alienate the listener. Including them in the conversation by using words like “we” and “us” is a better way to engage them.
4. Rhetorical questioning
Are you losing people's interest? One of the best persuasion techniques to bring them into the conversation is rhetorical questioning. Ask an open-ended question that invites the listener to consider how they would react in the scenario you're describing. While they don't have to answer the question directly, you will have piqued their interest once more.
5. Tricolon phrases
You should never underestimate the power of three. If you want to ensure that your listener remembers your point, use a trio of punchy words to get the job done. Think about it for a minute. Some of the world's most memorable slogans consist of three words. You've got “Just do it,” “Every little helps,” and “I'm lovin' it,” to name but a few.
Take a leaf out of marketing gurus' books and pick out three words to make your point. For instance, after giving a presentation, you could end by summarising everything you've said into a three-word headline. That way, your audience will remember your main points easily.
6. Emotive language
Ready to tug on your listener's heartstrings? When you're trying to persuade someone to see your point of view, emotive language is the way to go. That means using powerful adjectives to make your point when you're speaking. Here are some of our favourites:
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Outstanding
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Optimal
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Economical
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Scalable
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Successful
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Creative
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Smart
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Imaginative
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Dynamic
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Decisive
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Robust
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Skillful
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Intelligent
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Logical
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Efficient
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Effective
Weaving these into the tapestry of your everyday language could make a major difference to how people respond to you. When you're using this type of language, you're showing that you have a passion for the work that you do. Watch out - it could be contagious!
7. Confidence
If TED Talks have taught us anything, it's that our brains are hardwired to trust people who exude confidence. Research in the Journal of Neuroscience backs that up. The study found that people's opinions tended to be based on three core factors: their own experiences, what the majority of other people believe, and what confident people believe.
Of course, confidence doesn't come naturally to all of us. However, there are ways that you can learn to project an air of confidence. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. The more you learn to trust yourself and believe in your own opinions, the more that pure confidence will come across in your body language and the way that you speak.
8. Tone of voice
While we're on the topic of how you speak, your tone of voice says more than you might imagine. If you deliver your points in a meek or socially-awkward way, people are less likely to a) believe you and b) take your opinion on board. Instead, you should use a tone that shows your confidence, passion, and excitement for your subject matter.
This rule doesn't only apply to your spoken language. When you're writing any type of work-related communications, you can use a positive tone of voice. By making just a few small changes to the way that you phrase something, you can become more persuasive.
9. Reflective listening
Want to show someone you're on the same page as them? Reflective listening is the way to go. This persuasion technique is simple. It means taking in what someone says to you and then repeating it to them in different words. That way, you know that you understand their point. If you want to avoid getting your wires crossed, this hack will help you out.
When the other person feels heard by you, they will be more inclined to try to understand your perspective. You should be employing reflective listening regardless of whether you're trying to persuade someone of something; however, it's clear that this technique is particularly effective when you're hoping to encourage the person to agree with you.
10. Repetition
Can you repeat that? While you don't want to sound like a broken record, there's something to be said for repetition. When it comes to persuasion techniques, this is one you should use sparingly. However, it's useful when you're driving a point home.
Let's take the example of a presentation. You might open with your main point or argument, back that up with facts, and then close with the same point again. Using that sandwich technique is a simple way to make sure that the audience understands you.
Use persuasion to get ahead in your career
Including these persuasive language techniques in your communication is certain to make a world of difference. Whether you're looking for a way to bag that next promotion or simply want to land more clients, you should use these approaches. Keep in mind that practice makes perfect. You may not be a pro when you first start out - however, the more you hone your skills and implement them into your work-life, the better chance you have.
Looking for a way to elevate your career? If you're ready to take the next step on the ladder, check out our free CV review. Making sure your application is hitting the mark can help you to land more interviews and get hired faster than ever before.