Top Tips To Increase Your Influence

NC – The art of persuasion pays. Whether it’s convincing your boss that you deserve a pay raise, or coaxing a group of friends to go to the movie you want to see, there are good reasons for being influential.

According to a new survey from American Express Canada, three quarters of Canadians do consider themselves to be influential. Putting that influence to work, however, can be tricky.

Shelby Walsh, president of Trend Hunter, a site reporting on the most popular trends and cutting edge ideas, says that word-of-mouth has always been a powerful tool. She’s seen first-hand how social media is transforming the way we all share and receive recommendations, so here are her top tips on how to be more influential among your friends and family:

Confidence is king. An overwhelming 81 percent of us say that confidence is a characteristic that makes someone influential. Confidence is a vital ingredient for a great date, a successful career, or even when trying to convince your friends or family members to try your new favourite restaurant.

Try something new. Almost half of Canadians (44%) acknowledge that a person who experiences new things is often seen as more influential than someone who doesn’t. By stretching the limits of your comfort zone and trying something new – a new vacation destination, restaurant or product – your level of influence will rise.

Go social. The rise of social media has transformed consumers’ influence, but also changed the way we share and receive recommendations for products and services. In fact, 43 percent of those surveyed reported that they give the reviews posted on social media the same weight as those seen on traditional news channels.

Make it count. Many companies now offer perks with their referral programs. But be smart, says Walsh, and make your influence count for both you and the person you refer. “A particularly good one is the American Express Refer A Friend program,” she continued, “which offers both of you reward points when your friend or family member signs up for the card.”

More information is available online at amex.ca/refer.