Business Communication: Process and Product, 8e Mary Ellen Guffey and Dana Loewy Instructor PowerPoint Library, 8e Ch. 10, Slide 1 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 10 Persuasive and Sales Messages © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Learning Objective 1 Explain digital-age persuasion, identify effective persuasive techniques, and apply the 3-x-3 writing process to persuasive messages in print and online. Ch. 10, Slide 2 Persuasive skills are ever more important: • Leaner corporate hierarchies • Blurring lines of authority • Reliance on teams • Savvy, well-informed consumers Many managers try to influence others instead of issuing commands. Ch. 10, Slide 3 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Understanding Persuasion in the Digital Age Persuasion is “a symbolic process in which communicators try to convince other people to change their attitudes or behaviors regarding an issue through the transmission of a message in an atmosphere of free choice.” -- Richard M. Perloff Ch. 10, Slide 4 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. What is Persuasion? Is a symbolic process Involves an attempt to influence Involves transmitting a message Is self-persuasion Requires free choice Ch. 10, Slide 5 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © leremy/Fotolia Perloff’s Five Components of Persuasion Reciprocation Liking Commitment Authority Social Proof Scarcity Ch. 10, Slide 6 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © leremy/Fotolia Six Basic Principles That Direct Human Behavior • The volume and reach of persuasive messages have exploded. • Persuasive messages spread at warp speed. • Organizations of all stripes are in the persuasion business. • Persuasive techniques are more subtle and misleading. • Persuasion is more complex and impersonal. Ch. 10, Slide 7 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © Marina Zlochin/Fotolia How Has Persuasion Changed in the Digital Age? Establishing credibility Making a reasonable, specific request Tying facts to benefits Recognizing the power of loss Expecting and overcoming resistance Sharing solutions and compromising Ch. 10, Slide 8 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Effective Persuasion Techniques Phase 1: Analyze, Anticipate, Adapt What do you want the receiver to do or think? Does the receiver need to be persuaded? How can you adapt your message to appeal to this receiver? Ch. 10, Slide 9 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Applying the 3-x-3 Writing Process to Persuasive Messages Phase 2: Research, Organize, Compose What information do you need? Where can you locate it? Which strategy is better – direct or indirect? Ch. 10, Slide 10 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Applying the 3-x-3 Writing Process to Persuasive Messages Phase 3: Revise, Proofread, Evaluate Is the message clear and concise? Is the message conversational? Are format, grammar, and mechanics correct? Will the message achieve its purpose? Ch. 10, Slide 11 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Applying the 3-x-3 Writing Process to Persuasive Messages Describe the traditional four-part AIDA strategy for creating successful persuasive messages, and apply the four elements to effective and ethical business messages. Ch. 10, Slide 12 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Learning Objective 2 Attention Interest Desire Action © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Persuading With AIDA Ch. 10, Slide 13 1 Summary of problem 2 Unexpected statement 3 Reader benefit Ch. 10, Slide 14 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. AIDA – Gaining Attention 4 Compliment 5 Related facts 6 Stimulating question Ch. 10, Slide 15 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. AIDA – Gaining Attention 1 Facts, figures 2 Expert opinions 3 Examples Ch. 10, Slide 16 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. AIDA – Building Interest 4 Specific details 5 Direct benefits 6 Indirect benefits Ch. 10, Slide 17 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. AIDA – Building Interest 1 Reduce resistance 2 Anticipate objections 3 Offer counterarguments Ch. 10, Slide 18 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. AIDA – Eliciting Desire 4 Use What if? scenarios 5 Demonstrate competence 6 Show value of proposal © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. AIDA – Eliciting Desire Ch. 10, Slide 19 1 Describe specific request 2 Sound confident 3 Make action easy to take Ch. 10, Slide 20 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. AIDA – Prompting Action 4 Offer incentive or gift 5 Don’t provide excuses 6 Repeat main benefits Ch. 10, Slide 21 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. AIDA – Prompting Action Build Credibility: 1 2 Be truthful and believable. 3 Don’t manipulate or mislead. Stick to the facts and don’t exaggerate. 4 Don’t omit crucial information. 5 Don’t provide deceptive emphasis. Ch. 10, Slide 22 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Being an Ethical Persuader Craft persuasive messages that request actions, make claims, and deliver complaints. Ch. 10, Slide 23 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Learning Objective 3 Prewrite Determine your purpose. Know exactly what you want to achieve. Anticipate the reaction of your audience. Remember that the receiver is thinking: Why should I? What’s in it for me? What’s in it for you? Who cares? Ch. 10, Slide 24 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © Ogerepus/Fotolia Using the AIDA Strategy in Requests, Claims, and Complaints Gain Attention • Use the indirect strategy rather than blurting out the request immediately. • Begin with a problem description, unexpected statement, reader benefit, compliment, related facts, or stimulating question to grab attention. Ch. 10, Slide 25 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © Ogerepus/Fotolia Using the AIDA Strategy in Requests, Claims, and Complaints Build Interest • Convince the audience that your request is reasonable. • Develop interest by using facts, statistics, examples, testimonials, and specific details. • Establish your credibility, if necessary, by explaining your background and expertise. Use testimonials, expert opinions, or research if necessary. Ch. 10, Slide 26 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © Ogerepus/Fotolia Using the AIDA Strategy in Requests, Claims, and Complaints Build Interest • Support your request by tying facts to direct benefits (increased profits, more efficient operations, better customer relations, saving money, a returned favor) or indirect benefits (improving the community, giving back to the profession, helping the environment). • In claims and complaints, be objective but prove the validity of your request. Ch. 10, Slide 27 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Using the AIDA Strategy in Requests, Claims, and Complaints Elicit Desire and Reduce Resistance • Anticipate objections to your request by using What if? scenarios and provide compelling counterarguments. • Demonstrate credibility and competence. • In claims and complaints, use a moderate, unemotional tone. What if…? Ch. 10, Slide 28 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © Ogerepus/Fotolia Using the AIDA Strategy in Requests, Claims, and Complaints Motivate Action • Make a precise request that spells out exactly what you want done. • Add a deadline date if necessary. • Repeat a key benefit, provide additional details, or offer an incentive. Express appreciation. • Be confident without seeming pushy. Ch. 10, Slide 29 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © Ogerepus/Fotolia Using the AIDA Strategy in Requests, Claims, and Complaints Direct Benefit: If you accept our invitation to speak, you will have an audience of 50 potential customers for our products. Indirect Benefit: Your appearance would prove your professionalism and make us grateful for your willingness to give something back to the profession. Ch. 10, Slide 30 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Focusing on Benefits in Persuasive Requests Dear Dr. Thomas: Because you know Atlanta and live here in our town, we thought about asking you to speak at our GSU Business Awards banquet April 28. A few students on campus have read and admired your book Beyond Race and Gender, which appeared last spring and became a bestseller across the nation. We were amazed that a local author is now the nation’s diversity management guru. But what exactly did you mean when you said that America is no longer a melting pot of ethnic groups—it’s an “American mulligan stew”? Georgia State University doesn’t have any funds for honoraria, so we can invite only local speakers. The Reverend James R. Jones and Vice Mayor Rebecca A. Timmons were speakers in the past. Our awards banquet gets started at 6 p.m. with a social hour, followed by dinner at 7 and the speaker from 8:30 until 9. If you require, we can arrange transportation for you and your guest. Although you are a very busy person, we hope you will agree to this invitation. Thank you in advance. Please notify our advisor, Professor Alexa North. Sincerely yours, Ch. 10, Slide 31 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. “Before” – Ineffective Request Dear Dr. Thomas: Your book Beyond Race and Gender stimulated provocative discussion across the nation and on our campus when it first appeared last spring. Business students at Georgia State University now consider you the nation’s diversity management guru, and for that reason they asked me to use all my powers of persuasion in this invitation. Because we admire your work, we would like you to be our keynote speaker at the GSU Business Awards banquet April 28. As students at an urban campus in a metropolitan area, we are keenly aware of diversity issues. In your words, America is no longer a melting pot of ethnic groups; it is now an “American mulligan stew.” We would like to hear more about the future workforce and how managers can maximize the contribution of all employees. Although we can’t offer you an honorarium, we can promise you a fine dinner at the GSU Faculty Club and an eager and appreciative audience of over 100 business students and faculty. Speakers in the past have included the Reverend James R. Jones and Vice Mayor Rebecca A. Timmons. Ch. 10, Slide 32 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. “After” – Improved Request Dr. Thomas Page 2 Current date The evening includes a social hour at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and your remarks from 8:30 until 9. So that you won’t have to worry about transportation or parking, we will arrange a limousine for you and your guest. Please make this our most memorable banquet yet. Just call our adviser, Professor Alexa North, at 356-9910 before April 5 to accept this invitation. Sincerely yours, Ch. 10, Slide 33 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. “After” – Improved Request (continued) Understand interpersonal persuasion at work and write persuasive messages within organizations. Ch. 10, Slide 34 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Learning Objective 4 Managers no longer serve as primary information providers. Many supervisors view themselves as collaborators and mentors. Executives increasingly rely on persuasion to achieve buy-in from subordinates. Ch. 10, Slide 35 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia, © denis_pc/Fotolia, © Andrey/Fotolia Persuasion in Digital-Age Organizations Shift in authority is affecting the strategies and tone of workplace persuasive messages. Ch. 10, Slide 36 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia, © denis_pc/Fotolia, © Andrey/Fotolia Persuasion in Digital-Age Organizations Persuasive requests may include the following: • Participating in volunteer projects • Joining programs to stop smoking, lose weight, or start exercising Ch. 10, Slide 37 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Persuading Employees: Messages Flowing Downward Instructions or directives moving downward from supervisors usually require little persuasion. BUT: Paying attention to tone is necessary. Ch. 10, Slide 38 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Persuading Employees: Messages Flowing Downward • Focus on evidence such as facts and figures. • If possible, quantify the benefits of your idea in dollar terms. • Be confident and even-handed when pitching your idea. Ch. 10, Slide 39 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Persuading the Boss: Messages Flowing Upward BUT: Be sensitive to tone; use words such as suggest and recommend, not you must or we should. Ch. 10, Slide 40 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Persuading the Boss: Messages Flowing Upward Create effective and ethical directmail and e-mail sales messages. Ch. 10, Slide 41 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Learning Objective 5 Prewrite: Analyze your product or service. 1 What makes it special? 2 What central points should you emphasize? 3 How does it compare with the competition? Ch. 10, Slide 42 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © dashadima/Fotolia.com Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Prewrite: Profile your audience. 1 How will this product or service benefit the audience? 2 What do you want the audience to do? Increase the response rate by targeting your audience through selected database mailing lists. Ch. 10, Slide 43 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © dashadima/Fotolia.com Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Gain Attention 1 Describe a product feature, present testimonials, make a startling statement, or show the reader in an action setting. Ch. 10, Slide 44 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © dashadima/Fotolia.com Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Gain Attention 2 Offer something valuable, promise a significant result, or describe a product feature. Ch. 10, Slide 45 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © dashadima/Fotolia.com Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Gain Attention 3 Suggest a solution to a problem, offer a relevant anecdote, use the receiver’s name, or mention a meaningful current event. Ch. 10, Slide 46 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © dashadima/Fotolia.com Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Build Interest 1 Describe the product in terms of what it does for the reader: Show how the product or service saves or makes money, reduces effort, improves health, produces pleasure, or boosts status. Ch. 10, Slide 47 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © Petr Vaclavek/Fotolia Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Elicit Desire, Reduce Resistance 1 Counter anticipated reluctance with attractive warranties, trial offers, free samples, money-back guarantees, or testimonials. Ch. 10, Slide 48 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © dashadima/Fotolia.com Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Elicit Desire, Reduce Resistance 2 Build credibility with results of performance tests, polls, or awards. 3 If price is not a selling feature, describe it in small units, show it as savings, or tell how it compares favorably with the competition. Ch. 10, Slide 49 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © leremy/Fotolia Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Motivate Action 1 2 Close by repeating a central selling point with clear instructions for easy action. Prompt the reader to act immediately with a gift, incentive, limited offer, or deadline. Ch. 10, Slide 50 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © dashadima/Fotolia.com Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Motivate Action 3 Put the strongest motivator in a postscript. 4 Make it easy to respond. 5 In e-mails, include an opportunity to opt out. Ch. 10, Slide 51 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © dashadima/Fotolia.com Creating Persuasive Sales Messages in Print and Online Some Characteristics 1 Direct mail offers a higher response rate than e-mail. 2 Direct mail can be personalized and carries a more complete message. 3 Direct mail is expensive compared to e-mail. Ch. 10, Slide 52 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © raven/Fotolia Direct Mail or E-Mail? © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Direct Mail or E-Mail? Some Characteristics 4 E-mail is the No. 1 marketing medium, ahead of direct mail. 5 E-marketers can distribute a promotion faster than traditional messages. Ch. 10, Slide 53 1 Craft a catchy subject line. 2 Keep the main information “above the fold.” 3 Make the message short, conversational, and focused. Ch. 10, Slide 54 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © leremy/Fotolia Writing Successful E-Mail Sales Messages 4 Convey urgency. 5 Sprinkle testimonials throughout the copy. 6 Provide a means for opting out. Ch. 10, Slide 55 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © leremy/Fotolia Writing Successful E-Mail Sales Messages 1 2 Business communicators use social media to promote their businesses, further their causes, and build their online personas—not primarily for overt selling. Many of the principles of persuasion also apply to micromessages (online posts or tweets) although only parts of the AIDA strategy may be used. Ch. 10, Slide 56 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Writing Short Persuasive Messages Online Updates of events, experiences, thoughts, and exploits Promotional offers such as an invitation to participate in games Announcements of interesting events, publications, and media links Ch. 10, Slide 57 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Types of Persuasive Posts and Tweets Apply basic techniques in developing persuasive press releases. Ch. 10, Slide 58 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. Learning Objective 6 Press (news) releases announce important information to the media, traditional or digital: new products management changes new facilities sponsorships community projects awards given or received joint ventures donation seminars demonstrations Ch. 10, Slide 59 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia, © alexmillos/Fotolia.com, © Andrey/Fotolia What Are Press Releases? Organizations hope that the media will pick up the news and provide good publicity. BUT: Purely self-serving or promotional information is not appealing to editors and producers. Ch. 10, Slide 60 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia, © alexmillos/Fotolia.com, © Andrey/Fotolia The Purpose of Press Releases Open with an attention-getting lead or a summary of the important facts. Include answers to the five Ws and one H (who, what, when, where, why, and how) in the article—but not all in the first sentence! Appeal to the audience of the target media. Emphasize reader benefits written in the style of the focus publication or newscast. Ch. 10, Slide 61 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © alexmillos/Fotolia.com, © denis_pc /Fotolia Developing Persuasive Press Releases Present the most important information early, followed by supporting information. Don’t put your best ideas last because the may be chopped off or ignored. Insert intriguing and informative quotations of chief decision makers to lend the news release credibility. Ch. 10, Slide 62 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Developing Persuasive Press Releases Make the document readable and visually appealing. Limit the text to one or two doublespaced pages with attractive formatting. Look and sound credible—no typos, no imaginative spelling or punctuation, no factual errors. Ch. 10, Slide 63 © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © denis_pc/Fotolia Developing Persuasive Press Releases © 2015 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. © alexmillos/Fotolia.com END Ch. 10, Slide 64