Know Your Audience - Why I Got Kicked Out of a Free Preview

I like to attend free previews for discrete seminars (forex trading, get-rich-quick trading options, start your own internet business, time-share offers, etc.). It's like working in a laboratory for me - I get to see what techniques the persuaders behind these programs are using.

My wife recently told me I would be together with her to what seemed like a time-share pitch, though the promoter insisted it was not a time-share. The promoter was contribution an price paid trip for two to discrete Asian destinations, along with airfare on an undesignated carrier and accommodations, plus a tablet Pc of dubious origins. All we had to do to acquire was show up at their offices and listen for ninety minutes. The rationale was simple: instead of spending huge sums of money on newspaper ads that might not generate much interest, the firm chose to spend it on gifts to bring in prospects from a considered chosen market segment. I infer the real infer was that such extravagant (though not necessarily expensive) gifts would generate a strong sense of obligation in the recipients.

Tablet Pc

We showed up at their offices in a large bank building. The paint on the walls looked fresh, though I could not literally smell it. I reminded myself that whatever could rent space in an impressive building, put up a sign, and look like a respectable business. A pretty young woman in a sexy black dress brought us to a small round table in a large room full of other round tables and couples chatting with pretty women in sexy black dresses. She began to soften us up with small talk. The other couples were chatting and laughing comfortably. We were sitting there guardedly, and I was still trying to detect the odor of fresh paint.

A short time later the 'man in the suit' relieved the young beauty. "I can see you're not comfortable here," he said to us. "I'm just wondering what this is all about," I replied. "No, you literally don't want to be here," he insisted. "That's fine, we'll develop your gift, but I know you'd rather be doing something else this afternoon, so we won't keep you here." I literally did want to see how this seeming time-share pitch was not about time-shares, and what other flat moves they had planned for us, but the suit was adamant. He wanted us out.

My wife idea he was afraid I might ask some pointed questions. I don't believe that was it. literally he was ready for any objection I might raise. (In fact, I had no intention of asking any questions, I was there to observe.) No, he was afraid that my skeptical demeanor would infect the climate of the room and diminish the enthusiasm of the other couples. I think he made the right move, though I would have loved to see their pitch.

A considered designed pitch contains many elements of persuasion. You must administrate them carefully. Aside from the free gift to generate an obligation to reciprocate, the amiable arrival to tap into the likeability factor, the impressive signage and surroundings, and so on, our friend the suit was attentive to our body language, the interpersonal dynamics, and the mood of the room. He knew his audience.

You may not always have the occasion to disqualify members of your audience. But you can learn about your audience and adapt.

Know Your Audience - Why I Got Kicked Out of a Free Preview