Advice On Persuasion: Choice Of Medium
posted on 04/02/2009
Everybody has to deal with the art of persuasion at one point or another in their lifetime. Then comes along that idea of what the best way of going about your persuasion would be. Is it better to write out your ideas, or is it desirable to speak them?
Their are many instances where writing is a better choice of communication than in person. In school, it is better to write to a professor when you have a specific question that does not need to be elaborated on or will not elicit more questions. In life a good instance to write would be in a place such as Ebay.
You are not going to travel all over the country to talk to people just because you have a question and even calling, if a number was listed would be a bit awkward, just because their is not relationship dynamic established yet. In work, managers would write employees when their is a change occurring or when small instances need to be addressed. This is a great way to reach the majority of the people. Writing generally costs less in time and in money.
In-Person Communication should be done when the topic is personal or involves the channels of communication to go back and forth frequently. In classes, in-person conversations are best when they deal with scheduling new classes, or getting help with a topic from a professor. On the other hand, in life, when dealing with family and friends. these people will be closer to you and have a more personal connection.
More information is shared with nonverbal cues than what is actually spoken. When at work, in person communication is best done when addressing your manager on personal matters, or specific and detailed information about your job. In-person communication really sets up a dynamic in any relationship. It shows how each person involves feels about the other. If you are distant and sheltered in communications it could leave the other person feeling you do not trust them or you are a non confident person.
So to conclude this advice, you can see how there are many different scenarios, in which , all have their own necessary approach to persuasion. Certain situations are better than others to persuade someone in writing, versus oral communication. However, the best thing to do is to remember to strategize before attempting any persuasion. You can think of the pros vs. the cons of written and oral communication. Once you have it narrowed down, go at it!
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