Asking  for a VOTE

Its election time again for many people.

          If you are a candidate your success will depend on your communication skills.

          Today mass media presentations have largely replaced the old-fashion political speech. Electronic messages, letter to the editor and media interviews can reach more people than public meetings.            Presentations and handshaking still have a place.

          People want to know who you are – can you relate to them? What do you believe in, and what will you try to accomplish. How will they benefit from your election? What’s in it for them?  

Five of the best tips when making a presentation speech

* Tell you audience your background    

          People are looking for common ground. Where are you from? What are your qualifications and your work experiences? Have you travelled? Have you a family?

* Try to establish a rapport

          Be friendly and discreet.

          Be sincere and if possible try to add some humour and anecdotes in your speeches. Share your feeling and your emotions.

* Why are you standing for a political office?

          Many people suspect candidates are standing for financial gains. Give honest convincing reasons.

          Policy statements are best left to questions and answer sessions and media interviews. But if you make them keep them short.

* Why are you the best person to represent the voters?

          Tell them why they should vote for you as you have the best qualifications for the job. The best preparation for tomorrow is trying to do your best for today.

          What changes will you try to make on their behalf and how will they benefit if you are successful.

* Ask for their vote

          All too often candidates take this for granted and fail to ask them to cast their vote for you on polling day.

          Always finish with an appeal for their vote and tell them once again the reasons why you are the best candidate for the job and how they will benefit from you being elected.

-Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

“Promise voters you will try to get whatever they demand. Unless you get elected you won’t be able to help them at all.”

Source: “Persuasive Ways. ‘Tricks of the trade’ to get your ideas across”. First published by  Moss Associates Ltd., New Zealand and in Chinese by the Shanghai People’s Publishing House, the Singapore Institute of Management, Kogan Page Ltd, U.K and in Hungarian by Bagolyvar Konyvkiado.  Also published as the “Secrets of Persuasion” by Cengage Learning Asia and as an e-book and sold by Amazon.com.