Read James Altucher’s Blogpost Here

Through browsing an entrepreneur adviser James Altucher’s blog, called The Altucher Confidential, I have came across this interesting blog post: “How to Persuade Anyone of Anything in Ten Seconds.” Even though James interestingly uses the approach of elevator pitch as an example, the advices and tips he portrayed substantially outlined the main business marketing strategies that help to provide companies to create brand value for their products.

James has stated, these methods aren’t just about “persuasion,” but rather, “its about connection.” Indeed, through different forms of advertisements, not only companies are trying to persuade the consumers in buying their products, they are also a form of connection, a mutual bridge, inside the consumer’s mind that connects the companies’ core brand image with consumers’ expectations and desires. Hence, James tips of persuading others are not only valid for an everyday use, it is also suitable for all business models as their advertising tactics.

Here are the short takeaways from James’ blog:

1.)   Who are you?

Here, James advocates the importance of politely introduce oneself to others as it deliver a very genuine, honest, and trust-worthy image.

Therefore, before launching product that companies thought that would appeal in the eyes of the consumers, perhaps it’s more important to identify the company’s own image as it best outline the company’s core value. With a distinct value, the brand is no longer persuading consumers with solely its physical product, but rather a concept.

 

2.) Relax

Indeed, as individuals are more relaxing and expressing their truest state of mind, this not only gives others a more sincere image, the persuader as well becomes more practical and easy to relate to. The same concept could be applied to business models, in which by providing a more sincere brand, consumers will more likely to be engaging and inclined. Especially in this over-communicated world, as Trout has stated in the article Positioning, a simplified and clear message is simply enough to grab the consumers’ interest.

 

3.)   Use of Language (Avoid Um/mm-hmm/yeah)

James stated that by using intellectual words and language, it gives the persuader a very intelligent and straightforward image. This could as well as applied in a business world as it gives the consumers a sense of security knowing that the company is the lead in the industry.

4.)   The Six U’s

Urgency

Unique

Useful

Ultra-Specific

User-Friendly

Unquestionably Proof

Here, James outline the six U’s, which could be seen as the points of differentiation in the business world. These points outlined the important approaches in developing brand image that could perhaps drive customer incentives in purchasing the product.

5.)   Desire

James stated that in effort to persuade others, it is important to know their desires first and act accordingly. He outline the individual’s desires which includes：

• recognition
• rejuvenation
• relaxation
• relief
• religion
• remuneration
• results
• revenge
• romance

Hence, perhaps, these points could give the companies a direction in targeting customer segmensts and to meet their needs and desires.

6.) Objection

James expressed that there will always be objections. Just as Jack Trout in his article Positioning, has stated “it’s a mistake to build a brand by trying to appeal to everyone.” Perhaps, what makes a brand image ever stronger is the fact that it has a very distinct and identified customer segment the company targets and able to meet these targeted customers’ need accordingly.

 

Indeed, in the business world, the core objection is always to be persuading the customers, and even the society that certain products are worth buying. Hence, by evaluating James tips of how to persuade others, these tips as well outlined the important marketing strategies that helps companies in identifying their positions in the market.

Sources:

“How to Persuade Anyone of Anything in Ten Seconds.” Altucher Confidential RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.

“Product Positioning.” Product Positioning. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.