The most persuasive way to ask a question and almost always get an "yes."
First you must learn a few different techniques of how to persuasively ask questions and then you will see how to put them all together for a super effective "persuasion bomb" that will almost always work.
Why Not?: This simple technique is nothing more than asking "why not?" when someone gives you a no. Then you over come whatever objection they have and ask again. Studies show this simple trick is very effective.
Give a Reason: Studies show that when you give a reason, no matter how silly, a person is more likely to comply with your request. Example: "Can I borrow 50 dollars because I need some money?" Its obvious that you need money but because you gave a reason, studies show they are almost 50% more likely to comply.
Yes Ladder: Before you ask your main question, get them saying yes 2 - 3 times before you ask them your question. Studies show a person is more likely to say "yes" when they have already just said it a few times before. It gets them in a positive "yes pattern."
Shoot for the Stars: Studies show that a person is much less likely to tell you no twice if your second request is smaller than the first one. Lets say a kid need 20 dollars to go to the movies. In order to get that twenty dollars he ask his mom for 50. When she tells him no he responds back, "ok, well 20 would do I guess. How about 20?" His mom is much more likely to agree to the 20.
You are Free: In numerous studies it has been shown that after making a request, if a person is somewhat hesitant, all it takes to get a yes out of them is to remind them that they are free to decline your request. The science of why this works is long and complex and beyond the scope of this article but I encourage you to look it up. Example: "Mom, can I borrow 20 dollars for the movie? *mom hesitates* I'd really like it but you are free not too."
Right Ear Technique: When asking a question or even just generally persuading someone, be on their right side if possible. Studies show that when a person hears a request through their right ear first they are more likely to say yes. This isn't a very powerful one and generally doesn't work well when used by itself but is useful when using it in connection with the other techniques listed here.
Reciprocity: Some time before you ask (time varies as per situation) do something for the person whom you are about to ask a favor. Don't make it to where it will be obvious that you only did it because your asking a favor. Back to the mother example, as the kid walks into the kitchen to ask for money for the movies, he notices the coffee pot on. Before he ask he goes over and pours his mom the coffee, hands it to her, and then ask. Its a small persuasion so very little time needs to pass between the favor and the request. Studies show that when we do something for someone, the feel compelled to return the favor and do something for us. As a side note, if you are going to offer someone a drink, try to make it something with caffeine in it. Studies show that when consuming caffeine, a person is slightly more likely to go along with the persuasion.
Fear and Release: Studies show that if a person is asked a question immediately after being scared/startled, they are more likely to say yes. For example, as the kid walks into the kitchen to ask his mom for money, he yells "HEY MOM" while her back is turned. She jumps as she is startled. He immediately lowers his voice and ask, "Can I get some money for the movies?"
Pick the Right Time: Recent studies show that when a person is stressed or mentally tried in any way, they are way more likely to say yes to any request. With the kid asking for money example, a good time for him to ask would be right after she comes home for a long day at work.
Establish Rapport: This is an important one! A person is much more likely to say yes and go along with your persuasion if you have rapport with them. In our continuing example, the kid already has rapport because of the Mother-Son Dynamic but you can create rapport by body language mirroring, establishing commonalities, and matching emotional states.
Social Proof: People are more likely to go along with someone if others are going along with it too. For example, when asking his mother for money, he should mention that hes going with his friends and that their mothers gave them the money to go. When his mom realizes that the other mothers gave their sons money, she will be more likely to comply. To show how powerful social proof can be, studies on cults have shown that when surrounding a person with believers, a non-believer will turn into a hardcore loyal follower in less than a week, even when the new recruit is aware that they are being converted!
Isolation: Often its a good idea to get a person alone before asking your request as they wont be able to be influenced by outside forces, only your influence. With our kid and mom example, its best he ask her before his dad comes home so he cant chime in and influence his mother. If asked while his dad is home the dad may chime in with something like "Honey, he didn't finish his chores on time last week so don't give him any money" or something similar. Its best to be the only voice of influence when making a request.
Confidence: Simply being confident you will get a yes and not making your question to seem like a big deal will go a long way to getting you a positive response.
When you are ready to make your request of someone don't use a single technique as combining many of them together into a "Persuasion Bomb" is much more likely to work. While its very hard to combine every technique and use them at once, most of them can be combined. All it takes is some creativity and you can combine and use these techniques when you need a positive reply to your questions. Do not underestimate how powerful these techniques can be! Con men, Politicians, Salesmen, Cult Leaders, Lawyers, and many others have been using these techniques to great success for a long time now.
Also, its important remember that people don't like to be persuaded and manipulated and they resist unwelcome attempts to do so. However, people cant resist what they cant detect. Use some tact and make sure its not obvious when you use these techniques that you are trying to persuade them. The whole process should seem natural.
First you must learn a few different techniques of how to persuasively ask questions and then you will see how to put them all together for a super effective "persuasion bomb" that will almost always work.
Why Not?: This simple technique is nothing more than asking "why not?" when someone gives you a no. Then you over come whatever objection they have and ask again. Studies show this simple trick is very effective.
Give a Reason: Studies show that when you give a reason, no matter how silly, a person is more likely to comply with your request. Example: "Can I borrow 50 dollars because I need some money?" Its obvious that you need money but because you gave a reason, studies show they are almost 50% more likely to comply.
Yes Ladder: Before you ask your main question, get them saying yes 2 - 3 times before you ask them your question. Studies show a person is more likely to say "yes" when they have already just said it a few times before. It gets them in a positive "yes pattern."
Shoot for the Stars: Studies show that a person is much less likely to tell you no twice if your second request is smaller than the first one. Lets say a kid need 20 dollars to go to the movies. In order to get that twenty dollars he ask his mom for 50. When she tells him no he responds back, "ok, well 20 would do I guess. How about 20?" His mom is much more likely to agree to the 20.
You are Free: In numerous studies it has been shown that after making a request, if a person is somewhat hesitant, all it takes to get a yes out of them is to remind them that they are free to decline your request. The science of why this works is long and complex and beyond the scope of this article but I encourage you to look it up. Example: "Mom, can I borrow 20 dollars for the movie? *mom hesitates* I'd really like it but you are free not too."
Right Ear Technique: When asking a question or even just generally persuading someone, be on their right side if possible. Studies show that when a person hears a request through their right ear first they are more likely to say yes. This isn't a very powerful one and generally doesn't work well when used by itself but is useful when using it in connection with the other techniques listed here.
Reciprocity: Some time before you ask (time varies as per situation) do something for the person whom you are about to ask a favor. Don't make it to where it will be obvious that you only did it because your asking a favor. Back to the mother example, as the kid walks into the kitchen to ask for money for the movies, he notices the coffee pot on. Before he ask he goes over and pours his mom the coffee, hands it to her, and then ask. Its a small persuasion so very little time needs to pass between the favor and the request. Studies show that when we do something for someone, the feel compelled to return the favor and do something for us. As a side note, if you are going to offer someone a drink, try to make it something with caffeine in it. Studies show that when consuming caffeine, a person is slightly more likely to go along with the persuasion.
Fear and Release: Studies show that if a person is asked a question immediately after being scared/startled, they are more likely to say yes. For example, as the kid walks into the kitchen to ask his mom for money, he yells "HEY MOM" while her back is turned. She jumps as she is startled. He immediately lowers his voice and ask, "Can I get some money for the movies?"
Pick the Right Time: Recent studies show that when a person is stressed or mentally tried in any way, they are way more likely to say yes to any request. With the kid asking for money example, a good time for him to ask would be right after she comes home for a long day at work.
Establish Rapport: This is an important one! A person is much more likely to say yes and go along with your persuasion if you have rapport with them. In our continuing example, the kid already has rapport because of the Mother-Son Dynamic but you can create rapport by body language mirroring, establishing commonalities, and matching emotional states.
Social Proof: People are more likely to go along with someone if others are going along with it too. For example, when asking his mother for money, he should mention that hes going with his friends and that their mothers gave them the money to go. When his mom realizes that the other mothers gave their sons money, she will be more likely to comply. To show how powerful social proof can be, studies on cults have shown that when surrounding a person with believers, a non-believer will turn into a hardcore loyal follower in less than a week, even when the new recruit is aware that they are being converted!
Isolation: Often its a good idea to get a person alone before asking your request as they wont be able to be influenced by outside forces, only your influence. With our kid and mom example, its best he ask her before his dad comes home so he cant chime in and influence his mother. If asked while his dad is home the dad may chime in with something like "Honey, he didn't finish his chores on time last week so don't give him any money" or something similar. Its best to be the only voice of influence when making a request.
Confidence: Simply being confident you will get a yes and not making your question to seem like a big deal will go a long way to getting you a positive response.
When you are ready to make your request of someone don't use a single technique as combining many of them together into a "Persuasion Bomb" is much more likely to work. While its very hard to combine every technique and use them at once, most of them can be combined. All it takes is some creativity and you can combine and use these techniques when you need a positive reply to your questions. Do not underestimate how powerful these techniques can be! Con men, Politicians, Salesmen, Cult Leaders, Lawyers, and many others have been using these techniques to great success for a long time now.
Also, its important remember that people don't like to be persuaded and manipulated and they resist unwelcome attempts to do so. However, people cant resist what they cant detect. Use some tact and make sure its not obvious when you use these techniques that you are trying to persuade them. The whole process should seem natural.