Confidence and conviction during your call to action is a critical persuasive component. The effectiveness of your call to action is all about how the audience perceives you. Because it is such a crucial component, I would suggest that you write your call to action before beginning any other phase of your presentation. When doing so, ask yourself what exactly it is you want your audience to do upon completion of your presentation and then build your presentation around the answer.

You must keep your presentation cohesive and easy to follow. Experts say that you forget 80 percent of everything you've heard within twenty-four hours of hearing it. With odds like that stacked against you, you really can't afford for your presentation not to be cohesive and easy to follow. To make your presentation even more effective, consider stressing a main theme and then reiterating it via three to five main points throughout your presentation. The human mind loves theme and repetition. Of course, I'm not saying you should be redundant. For variety, you can underscore key points in different ways, but all the spokes of your "wheel of evidence" should point back to the same hub. Repetition increases awareness, attention and comprehension.

Do you remember the infamous OJ Simpson trial? The thing we will all always remember about that courtroom drama is the line, "If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit." With that simple repeated phrase, defense attorney Johnnie Cochran created an unforgettable line that he knew would lock itself in the jury members' minds. Gerry Spence, a commentator during the OJ trial who is widely heralded as "America's Finest Trial Lawyer," has never lost a case. One of the reasons he has maintained a flawless record is because he always presents a crystal-clear theme that he knows will resonate with his audience. One of his most famous cases involved the defense of a bankrupt family-owned ice cream business in a suit against McDonald's over breach of an oral contract. His theme? "Let's put honor back in the handshake." In their defenses, Cochran and Spence were both on to the same winning technique: A common and memorable theme that is backed by supporting material and that is organized into three to five main points is a surefire strategy for getting your message across clearly, easily and easier to remember.

You will feel more confident in yourself and your message when you find ways to rehearse and practice your speaking before you actually get in front of an audience. When you know your introduction like the back of your hand, you develop more confidence. When you are prepared, the fear of the public-speaking situation erodes away. If you want to dazzle your audience, make your topic dance in front of them. I believe there is no such thing as a boring topic; there are only boring speakers. Here are some ways to increase your confidence and your ability to present with power.

1. Practice in front of a mirror.

2. Get familiar with the location where you will be speaking.

3. Videotape yourself and watch for ways to improve.

4. Test all your stories and jokes on a neutral audience.

5. Visualize your success before the presentation.

Learning how to persuade and influence will make the difference between hoping for a better income and having a better income. Beware of the common mistakes presenters and persuaders commit that cause them to lose the deal. Get your free report 10 Mistakes That Continue Costing You Thousands and explode your income today.

Conclusion

Persuasion is the missing puzzle piece that will crack the code to dramatically increase your income, improve your relationships, and help you get what you want, when you want, and win friends for life. Ask yourself how much money and income you have lost because of your inability to persuade and influence. Think about it. Sure you've seen some success, but think of the times you couldn't get it done. Has there ever been a time when you did not get your point across? Were you unable to convince someone to do something? Have you reached your full potential? Are you able to motivate yourself and others to achieve more and accomplish their goals? What about your relationships? Imagine being able to overcome objections before they happen, know what your prospect is thinking and feeling, feel more confident in your ability to persuade. Professional success, personal happiness, leadership potential, and income depend on the ability to persuade, influence, and motivate others.