Use This Strategy to Become More Persuasive When Speaking

Maxwell & Elizabeth
3 min readSep 29, 2024

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Let’s get one thing straight: Persuasion is not manipulation! It is not about tricks, gimmicks, or overwhelming someone with information. It’s about connecting, understanding, and delivering exactly what the other person needs. You want to be more persuasive when you speak? Here’s the strategy that works every time—make it all about them.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

1. Stop Talking About Yourself

If you want to lose someone’s attention fast, keep talking about yourself. Every time you start a sentence with “I,” you’re pushing them further away. People care about their own lives, challenges, and goals. You want to be persuasive? Make the conversation about them.

Shift your language. Start using “you” and “your” in your speech. It’s a small change that makes a massive difference. Instead of saying, “I think this strategy works,” try, “This strategy will solve your problem.” Feel the difference? It instantly switches the focus to their needs, their goals, and their results.

2. Ask Smart Questions

Being persuasive starts with understanding the person in front of you. And no, you can’t understand them if you’re the one doing all the talking. Ask questions that dig deep—get to the heart of what they care about, what’s holding them back, and what they’re hoping to achieve.

Here’s a secret: When people feel heard, they’re more likely to listen to you. Ask them about their challenges. Ask them what success looks like for them. And most importantly, listen. Don’t interrupt, don’t jump in with your own thoughts—just listen. You’ll be amazed at how powerful this is in building trust and rapport.

3. Give Them the Solution They’re Looking For

Now that you understand what they need, here’s where the magic happens: Tailor your message. Don’t just throw every fact and figure at them—craft your solution around what matters most to them. If you want to persuade, you need to offer exactly what solves their problem.

If they’re worried about time, focus on how your solution saves them time. If they’re concerned about cost, show them the value in terms of dollars saved. Speak directly to their concerns, and you’ll be the answer they didn’t even know they were looking for.

4. Speak with Certainty

Here’s the truth: Confidence sells. You could have the most brilliant solution in the world, but if you don’t deliver it with certainty, no one will buy in. When you speak, own your words. Avoid weak language like “maybe” or “I think.” Speak with authority and clarity.

People are drawn to certainty. When you speak like you believe in what you’re saying, others will start to believe it too. Use strong, clear language. Speak with conviction. You’re not just delivering information—you’re delivering results, and you need to own that.

Persuasion is About Them, Not You

Here’s the bottom line: Persuasion is about delivering value that matters to the other person. When you focus on their needs, ask smart questions, tailor your message, and speak with certainty, you become a force to be reckoned with.

Want to make an impact? Stop trying to impress people with what you know. Instead, focus on how you can solve their problems. Master this strategy, and you’ll not only be persuasive—you’ll be unforgettable.

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Maxwell & Elizabeth
Maxwell & Elizabeth

Written by Maxwell & Elizabeth

Official Medium Blog of Maxwell & Elizabeth Company

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