How do you feel about persuasion?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

OK, SalesGuy. Don't take a swing at me. I believe I have gotten your back up on this topic before. I didn't mean to revisit it.

Hmmm, I don't remember that but you could be right. The constant misuse of the words "Rapport" and "Persuasion" on this forum over the last few months, especially by those who consider themselves to be above the heap, is enough to get my back up.

You'd think some people had never heard of a dictionary for crying out loud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I'm not being a wise alec, but doesn't the term hard-pitch imply persuasion, by definition? That's all I'm saying. I'm not an expert. That is only my opinion.

If you're referring to "Hard Sell" then the answer is "No". "Hard Sell" is characterized by "High Pressure".

Again... Dictionary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalesGuy

The constant misuse of the words "Rapport" and "Persuasion" on this forum over the last few months...

That is a good point. It is hard to communicate effectively without some form of consensus on the meaning of a word.

Quote:

Originally Posted by salesguy

If you're referring to "Hard Sell" then the answer is "No". "Hard Sell" is characterized by "High Pressure".

Again... Dictionary.

Do you believe this pressure is applied without an element of persuasion? Straight coercion? I don't see how that is possible.

In fariness, Webster's job is secure as long as I am haphazardly tossing out my own "definitions" but I do not see someone buying under high pressure without being at least temporarily persuaded that they are making the right decision to buy. The fact that it is a hard-sell implies that there is natural resistence to buying.

BTW, you can take a swing at me anytime, SalesGuy, as long as it is with a dictionary. I don't mind getting called on that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Do you believe this pressure is applied without an element of persuasion? Straight coercion? I don't see how that is possible.

Persuasion is used across the board by all types of people in all types of situations. I don't see any reason why someone wouldn't use it in a hard-sell situation too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

...but I do not see someone buying under high pressure without being at least temporarily persuaded that they are making the right decision to buy.

Isn't that the case in many sales situations, high pressure or not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

BTW, you can take a swing at me anytime, SalesGuy, as long as it is with a dictionary. I don't mind getting called on that.

That wasn't a "swing" RainMaker, just an observation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalesGuy

Persuasion is used across the board by all types of people in all types of situations. I don't see any reason why someone wouldn't use it in a hard-sell situation too
Isn't that the case in many sales situations, high pressure or not?.

YES, it is. I never said it was used in hard-sell at the exclusion of all other types of situations--only that I felt it was a necessary component in hard sell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalesGuy

That wasn't a "swing" RainMaker, just an observation.

No, I didn't interpret that as a swing.

"When selling, is trying to persuade someone ethical, immoral, what?"

Why would persuasion be unethical or immoral?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas

Why would persuasion be unethical or immoral?

Some people hold the "Belief" that persuasion is unethical and/or immoral. Nonsense yes but still a valid belief.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

...only that I felt it was a necessary component in hard sell.

Please provide an example of this necessary component being used in a "Hard Sell" situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalesGuy

Please provide an example of this necessary component being used in a "Hard Sell" situation.

I sat across a dinner table with strangers who had made a pact before dinner to eat the free dinner in the fancy restaurant and NOT buy whatever it was that I was selling.

My job: disarm them and make them want to buy it, by whatever means worked. This was a hard-sell situation. I used persuasion and various other hard-sell tactics. I got contracts and deposits regularly.

There you have it. Do I know about other hard-sell situations? No. Only mine. After the ususal 7 or 8 month period I got out just like all the others because charge-backs from deals that fell apart later came back to bite.

The purpose of this story is not to criticise those who earn a living by hard selling. I am only sharing that it did not work long-term for me for a variety of reasons--one of which was persuasion was used almost exclusively to get prospects to make an impulsive buying decision. I cannot speak for other hard sell situations. My guess is they would have similar components.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I sat across a dinner table with strangers who had made a pact before dinner to eat the free dinner in the fancy restaurant and NOT buy whatever it was that I was selling.

My job: disarm them and make them want to buy it, by whatever means worked. This was a hard-sell situation.

What about that scenario was "Hard Sell" or "High Pressure"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I used persuasion and various other hard-sell tactics.

Please provide an example of your persuasion "tactics". Also, please provide an example of your "other hard-sell tactics".

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

After the ususal 7 or 8 month period I got out just like all the others because charge-backs from deals that fell apart later came back to bite.

Got out of what and what others?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I am only sharing that it did not work long-term for me for a variety of reasons--one of which was persuasion was used almost exclusively to get prospects to make an impulsive buying decision.

What prompted you to attempt use persuasion tools almost exclusively and what tools did you use?

How do you feel about persuasion?

Persuasion and Influence Forum