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How do you make your powerful and persuasive? It's actually pretty easy, considering most
people's presentations, most people's speeches are dull as dishwater, because most people
think a speech is about, "Let me gather up every single fact about a particular subject,
and let me just throw it out in a boring, bland way," almost like a conveyor belt, where
facts just spin off. So, the starting point has got to be, you've got to figure out what
are your handful of most important ideas? Then, you've got to dramatize these points
with some urgency. You've got to give people a sense of why they should care, because if
you don't care, why should they?
The best way to do this is by giving powerful examples. The most powerful example of all
is a personal story involving a conversation you had with a real person, about a real problem;
where you were and how you felt. And finally, you've got to ask people, what you want them
to do. You've got to explain the benefits to them. Most people skip this. They think,
"Hey, my audience is smart, and simply have to lay out the facts; they'll figure it out."
Maybe, or maybe not -- maybe they'll instantly forget. So, if you want to be persuasive,
you have to persuade them to do something. You need to tell them exactly what that something
is, so they don't have to piece it all together and connect the dots. Connect the dots for
your audience. Create the case for what you want them to do, what the benefits are, and
then ask them to do it, and ask them to do it, and ask them to do it now.
You must have that sense of urgency. If you do that, you will be powerful and persuasive.