Writing a business case or proposal? Need to convince colleagues of the need for change? Want a client to pay on time? These 6 secrets of persuasive writing will help you to craft a message that has the greatest chance of success.

1. Pamela Thorne
www.vivatraining.com.au
6
Secrets
of
Persuasive
Writing

2. Making a
business
case?
Selling an idea
or plan to
others?
Convincing
staff of the
benefits of
a change?
Writing a
proposal?
Want a
client to
pay on
time?
Asking a
colleague
for help?

3. These are all
situations
where you may
need to write
persuasively.

4. Here are
6 proven
techniques

5. AGITATE AND SOLVE
Show you understand a problem the reader
faces. Then offer your solution.
1

6. Give a glimpse into the future. Then show how you
can help avoid the pain of an undesirable outcome.
2 PROGNOSTICATE

7. USE
SOCIAL
PROOF
Show how
others
have
benefited
from your
plan or
idea.
People
follow the
crowd.
3

8. DANCE ALONG WITH YOUR READER
4

9. 1. Talk about the reader’s needs first.
2. Then show the benefits of your idea.
3. Then give details of cost etc.
4. Lastly, ask for an action step.
4 DANCE ALONG WITH YOUR READER

10. USE COMPARISONS
Help the reader link to something they already know.
5

11. IMPLY SCARCITY
The less available the
resource, the more
people want it.
If you can show that a
resource might be
scarce, you provoke
the scarcity response.
6

12. TO RECAP
1. Agitate and solve
2. Prognosticate
3. Use social proof
4. Dance along with your reader
5. Use comparisons
6. Imply scarcity

13. For coaching and training
on Persuasive Writing and Business Writing,
email info@vivatraining.com.au
www.vivatraining.com.au