The Must Learn Persuasion Technique

 

This technique is supported by 42 psychology studies on 22,000 people and it’s probably the most practical and the easiest persuasion technique around. The studies (Carpenter, 2013) found that this technique could double the chances someone would say "yes" to you. Read on to see how this can work for you. If you want to, that is.

 

Notice what I did there? That is an example of the "But You Are Free" technique. In basic terms: You make a request, but acknowledge the other person has a choice.

 

The approach works so well because you are reaffirming the people have a freedom to choose and when you ask an individual to do something you also add the sentiment that they are still free to choose. By doing that you are indirectly removing an authoritarian approach and maintaining the individual ability to say yes or no.

 

Through using this simple technique it’s been shown that people donate more the good causes, are more agreeable to participate in surveys and give more to someone asking for a bus fare home.

 

The actual words you use don't seem to matter; According to the meta-analysis published by Christopher Carpenter in Communication Studies, the actual words you use don’t really seem to matter. For example you could add to your request "But obviously do not feel obliged" or "but you are free" either would work just as well—especially if you're asking something of someone face-to-face.

 

Examples of phrases that you could use include:

 

• It's up to you

• It's your choice

• Make your own mind up

• Whatever you like

• Of course you are free to choose

 

The But You Are Free technique is so simple and easy to use that is could be combined with other approaches or techniques from NLP and Conversational Hypnosis. And as with any good method of persuasion, it is about helping other people to come to the decision you want through their own free will, in a win-win situation.

 

Whether you decide to use this technique in conjunction with you other tools for being persuasive and influential is, of course, up to you.