If you were asked to construct a persuasive message, would you know where to begin? As communicators we frequently need to write messages that aim to influence an audience, but beyond using please and thank you, many struggle to be persuasive.

This interactive session will explore what behavioral scientists have found to be reasons why people change their opinion, alter their behavior, or agree to certain requests. Together, we will look at techniques you can use every day, even in email, to increase the likelihood that a reader or listener will accept your point of view.

Come away from this workshop with ideas on how to infuse your writing with persuasive messages that motivate your audiences to say “yes”, including how to:

• Open a persuasive message when the audience is resistant or indifferent
• Position information for maximum impact
• Make your message memorable and hold your audience’s attention
• Strengthen your credibility when the audience does not have a favorable view of you
• Use five principles of social psychology to induce people to say yes