Are You “Selling” Your Speaking Ideas?

“Understand that you need to sell you and your ideas in order to advance your career, gain more respect, and increase your success, influence and income.” – Jay Abraham, strategic marketing and business growth expert

Question: Are you in sales? Answer: Yes. Everyone is in sales, whether you are selling a product, service, or idea.

As a speaker, you are selling your ideas. Have you been making “sales” with your audience or not?

Below are three ways to become more persuasive in your speaking and, thus, sell more of your ideas to more of your audience.

Establish Credibility and Trust

Building credibility and trust with your audience is essential for persuasion. Demonstrate your expertise, knowledge, and experience on the topic.

Share relevant credentials, achievements, or testimonials to establish your credibility. Be transparent, honest, and authentic in your communication.

Show respect for your audience’s intelligence and address their concerns or objections honestly and openly. Building trust and credibility makes your audience more receptive to your ideas and increases the likelihood of persuasion.

People buy from people they like. People like you when you are credible and trustworthy. Therefore, if you are seen as credible and trustworthy, you will “sell” more of your ideas.

Your audience will not buy your ideas unless they trust and find you credible.

Make a point in your presentations to establish your credibility and trustworthiness before you try to “sell’ your ideas to your audience

Using logic and reasoning is another way to persuade your audience and “sell” your ideas.

Use Logic and Reasoning

Presenting a logical and well-reasoned argument is a powerful way to persuade your audience.

Clearly outline the facts, evidence, and logical connections that support your position.

Use statistics, research findings, and expert opinions to support your claims.

Logically structure your arguments, presenting a clear line of reasoning that leads the audience to your desired conclusion.

When speaking to your audience, you always reinforce the strengths of your argument with credible evidence that what you are saying is logical and reasoned.

If you establish credibility and trust with your audience and use logic and reasoning with them, you have a better than even chance to convince them of your ideas.

To “add the cherry on top,” if you appeal to your audience’s emotions ethically and responsibly, you will complete the trifecta of methods to “sell” your ideas to your audience.

Appeal to Emotions

There is an adage. People buy using their emotions and justify their purchase logically.

Emotions can be a persuasive force in swaying an audience to your way of thinking.

Tap into your audience’s emotions using storytelling, personal anecdotes, or vivid descriptions that evoke empathy, compassion, or excitement.

Create an emotional connection with the audience by highlighting the potential benefits or positive impact of adopting your viewpoint.

However, using emotions ethically and responsibly is crucial, ensuring that they align with the facts and are not manipulative.

As a speaker, you have the power of the audience’s attention. Use this power wisely and always for the benefit of your audience and not yourself.

So, are you “selling” your speaking ideas? If not, maybe you need to implement these three methods of persuasion: (1) establish credibility and trust with your audience, (2) use logic and reasoning with them, and (3) appeal to their emotions ethically and responsibly.

If you do, you will go a long way to “selling” your speaking ideas.

Your credibility, trustworthiness, logic, reasoning, and emotional appeal will “win the sale” for you!

Call to Action

• Make a point in your presentations to establish your credibility and trustworthiness before you try to “sell’ your ideas to your audience

• Establish your speaking ideas’ logic and reasoning early in your presentations

• Appeal ethically and responsibly to your audience’s emotions to sell your ideas

“Selling your ideas effectively is crucial for success. It allows others to understand and buy into your vision, leading to collaboration and progress. Strong communication skills and a compelling pitch can make all the difference in turning your ideas into reality.” – Brian Nichols, host of The Brian Nichols Show

Frank DiBartolomeo is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and award-winning speaker, presentation and interview skills coach, and Professional Member of the National Speakers Association. He was awarded Toastmasters International’s highest individual award, Distinguished Toastmaster because of his outstanding work in public speaking and leadership.

Frank formed DiBartolomeo Consulting International (DCI), LLC (www.speakleadandsucceed.com) in 2007. The mission of DCI is to help technical professionals to inspire, motivate, and influence their colleagues and other technical professionals by improving their presentation skills, communication, and personal presence. Reach Frank at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com and (703) 509-4424.

Don’t miss Frank DiBartolomeo’s latest book!

“Speak Well and Prosper: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Better Presentations”

Available now at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com