The Science and Art of Persuasion

Writers must be very talented persuaders. Their talent allowing them to capture, influence, and hold the full interest and attention of multiple readers from start to finish. Reciprocity, scarcity, authority, consistency, liking and consensus, all taking part in the recipe to stealing a reader's heart and mind, even if it is just for one book, one post.

When it comes to blogging I think a few of the six "ingredients" are more relevant than others.

1. Reciprocity- Paying back what we receive from others. In the blogging world, this may apply when readers browse through the real circumstances of other people, often relating the scenarios to their own life. The author provides a lesson learned, a piece of advice for readers to take with them after finishing the content in front of them.

2. Authority- If bloggers can create a sense of credibility, a sense that they are knowledgeable about the content they are displaying for the reader, there is a better chance of the intent being perceived the way it was meant to. Readers will also be able to establish a more trustworthy relationship with the creator.

3. Consistency-   Frequent and consistent posting of content, means increased readership from audience members. There will also be an increase in the audience due to the idea of sharing content, as well as returning readers who want to keep up with any new content that is being posted.

I think these three tactics are the most important when it comes to blogs. I think if an author utilizes these three qualities the most, their readership, credibility, and likeability, will increase in the end. If they can appeal to the audience in this way, it will surely happen.

From The Science of Persuasion, the creator said that tips often increase for a waiter when they leave a mint on the table after a customer's meal is finished, and their tip value increases even more when they leave more than one mint, making the customer feel singled out and important. Like the waiter thought of them individually. I think this is a great metaphor when it comes to blogging. If a writer is writing about a personal situation, but the details they are giving, the emotions they are explaining may connect personally to a reader, leaving them feeling as if the author is giving advice and providing hope just for them rather than a general audience.

Bloggers appear to use ethos and pathos more regularly. If they can hook onto a reader's emotions and create a sense of authority/credibility, it is a great benefit for the creator. When it comes to essayists, they tend to lean more on the logos and ethos side of things. They use facts to back up their claims rather than emotion and personal experience.

This is what makes blogging a whole new type of content creation. There is, in fact, other people who go through the same experiences we do, leaving us with a whole world of people to learn from and connect with.