Importance of Persuasion

Persuasion is one of the most important aspects of communication. It is defined as the process of reinforcing, creating, and changing the actions and beliefs of people (Lucas, 2015). It also means getting agreement that a goal(s) or idea(s) or opinion(s) is or is worth achieving and having. To achieve persuasion individuals, need to be aware of their audience. This helps in shaping their delivery of words to gain acceptance for their audience. Persuasion helps bring a little change through words and most importantly provides a clear picture of what individuals are trying to say through their words. It aims to convince the audience of a particular view. Furthermore, persuading an audience is important when individuals believe in a certain way and want other people to think that way as well. In this paper, I will discuss the importance of persuasion including enabling people to deliver their content, in marketing, to influence people’s opinions, and for gaining more leadership qualities.

Persuasion is critical in helping people to deliver their points effectively and have their voices heard. Most speakers struggle to gain attention from their audience. This is because they lack effective persuasion techniques to make their audience listen attentively (Lucas, 2015). Bucked evidence persuasion can make the audience most likely agree with the speakers and even contribute to the discussion. It is powerful to use statistics, quotes, and facts to persuade the audience, but this evidence should be backed by credible sources to avoid inaccuracy of statements. Therefore, the most effective way to persuade is using persuasive techniques when making arguments. Before trying to persuade their audience to believe in their arguments, speakers should assess who they want to persuade, about what, how they will persuade, and when they will attempt persuasion. Generally, persuasion is an effective method that speakers can use to draw their audience’s attention and have their voices heard.

Persuasion also enables people and organizations to market their products and services to their target audiences. It helps in various businesses where companies have to let the people know about their organizations or a particular product (Lucas, 2015). Most organizations market their products and services using persuasive messages and persuasive advertisements that are often textual, visual, audio, video, or a selection of those combined. They give the prospect a feeling of ‘I must have this product or service’, right now or in the near future. They tend to be hypnotic, in a way that pushes the prospect into asking for more information, whether it be a free trial or further discussion with the salesperson or promotion agent. These are techniques to help persuade a prospective customer to buy. The basis of these techniques is to get in rapport with this person. Marketers engage in persuasion physically mentally and emotionally through mirroring. They have a receptive and agreeable attitude no matter how negative their buyers may be. Before long, they can build rapport and there will be more receptivity to whatever they selling. Persuasion helps build trust between the consumers and the sellers. Thus, it can be effectively used in marketing.

Another importance of persuasion is that it is used to influence the opinions and decisions of people. It is used to persuade other people into doing something. For example, I was in a group of friends out camping in the woods. The majority of us were ready to go for a hike, while two others were reluctant, complaining, and slacking behind. I decide to reach out to them and persuade them to realize there is no harm in the hike and it will be good for them overall. This attempt at persuasion is associated with the intent that everyone can be content. According to Aristotle, persuasion happens when apparent truth is shown from whatever is persuasive in every case (Lucas, 2015). Persuasion enabled me to influence them to join us in hiking with the best opportunity for them to make a decision based on what makes sense the most.

With persuasion, people can gain more leadership qualities and power. Most leaders use persuasion skills to make people listen to what they have to say and influence their decision-making (Lucas, 2015).  Great leaders not only have to influence, but they also persuade. Persuasion makes the leaders establish a deeper connection with their followers and because of their influence, they have faith and belief in who they are and what they do. Good examples of persuasion of course are the life of Jesus Christ himself and people like Gandhi, Mother Theresa, and even Dominic Toretto. Martin Luther King is also an example of a great leader who through persuasion gained his leadership skills and power to ship the minds of people. King wanted equality and freedom to prevail not only in the United States but also in the rest of the world, and he did this through persuasion, which was broadcasted in his message. Therefore, persuasion is effective in leadership.

In conclusion, persuasion is important for many reasons. One major importance of persuasion is helping people to deliver their points and have their voices heard. Persuasion also is critical in marketing besides being used to influence people’s decisions and opinions. Nonetheless, it is useful in enhancing leadership skills and power. In life there are a million different expressions of any subject or action; these are just some of the most common motivations as to why people humans persuade each other.

Reference

Lucas, E., S. (2015). The Art of Public Speaking (Twelfth Edition). New York: McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 978-0-07-352391-0