6 secrets of persuasive writing

Pamela Thornewww.vivatraining.com.au

6 Secrets

of Persuasive

Writing

Making a business

case?

Selling an idea or plan to others?

Convincing staff of the benefits of a change?

Writing a proposal?

Want a client to pay on time?

Asking a colleague for help?

These are all

situations

where you may

need to write

persuasively.

Here are 6 proven

techniques

AGITATE AND SOLVEShow you understand a problem the reader faces. Then offer your solution.

1

Give a glimpse into the future. Then show how you can help avoid the pain of an undesirable outcome.

2 PROGNOSTICATE

USE SOCIAL PROOFShow how others have benefited from your plan or idea.

People follow the crowd.

3

DANCE ALONG WITH YOUR READER 4

1. Talk about the reader’s needs first.

2. Then show the benefits of your idea.

3. Then give details of cost etc.

4. Lastly, ask for an action step.

4 DANCE ALONG WITH YOUR READER

USE COMPARISONS

Help the reader link to something they already know.

5

IMPLY SCARCITY

The less available the resource, the more people want it.

If you can show that a resource might be scarce, you provoke the scarcity response.

6

TO RECAP1. Agitate and solve2. Prognosticate3. Use social proof4. Dance along with your reader5. Use comparisons6. Imply scarcity

For coaching and training on Persuasive Writing and Business Writing, email info@vivatraining.com.au www.vivatraining.com.au