EXACTLY WHAT TO SAY: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact
Exactly what to say?? How to say? When to say? these are the questions that come to our minds when we need to talk to a stranger or a new person. Right??
are you an introvert??
if you agree with me, then this blog is certainly for you.
Scott Stratten, President of UnMarketing Inc., claims that this book is “the dictionary of business success language.
23 magic words for influence and impact, and teaching you:
Often the decision between a customer choosing you over someone like you is your ability to know exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to make it count.
Much more practical, Exactly What to Say is a book that falls in this category, and it’s worth every penny. This book teaches you to have the superpower to influence people and ace your goal. Let’s begin!!!!!
“The worst time to think about the thing you are going to say is in the moment you are saying it,”
Phil M. Jones
The power of magic words
A definition is taken straight from the book:
Magic Words are sets of words that talk straight to the subconscious brain. A subconscious brain is a powerful tool in decision-making because it is preprogrammed through our conditioning to make decisions without overanalyzing them.

It works a little like a computer—it has only ‘yes’ and ‘no’ outputs and can never land on a ‘maybe.’ It is strong and decisive and moves quickly.
Using words that talk straight to the part of the brain that is free from maybes and responds on reflex gives you a fair advantage in conversation and can result in you getting your own way more often.
Key takeaways and lessons from ” Exactly what to say”
- I’m not sure if it’s for you, but: This is a magic word trust me. This set of magic words instantly drives another person’s interest in you. The subconscious mind of another person automatically allows listening to you carefully. For instance: I’m not sure if it’s for you, but this option is available for this week only, and I would hate for you to miss out.
- Open-Minded: As we said above, your subconscious works only along the lines of a “yes” and “no;” and since there’s no “maybe,” if you ask a group of 1,000 people whether they consider themselves open-minded, at least 90% of them would answer in the affirmative. Why? Because the alternative – “closed-minded” – sounds very, very bad. Use this to your benefit – if you start a sentence with “how open-minded” you’re shifting the odds of your listener agreeing with you from 50/50 to 90/10. For instance: How open-minded would you be about trying this as an alternative?
- What Do You Know?: All people think they know best – that’s exactly how we’re built to think. And if you want to steer a conversation in a certain direction, you have to have control over it. For instance: What do you know about everything that has changed since (insert any relevant event)?
- How Would You Feel If?: We know for sure that people work a lot harder to avoid potential losses than to achieve a potential gain; simply put, nothing motivates us more than losing what we already own. For instance: How would you feel if this decision led to your promotion? this is how you exactly feel after you use these magic words.
- Just Imagine: For better or for worse, we are storytelling consequently, storytelling will always have the power to inspire, influence, and persuade. For instance: Just imagine how things will be in six months’ time once you have implemented this. yes exactly just imagine once how will your life be after using this amazingly magic word.
- When Would Be a Good Time? : Believe me or not this magic word has helped me a lot. If somebody is not giving their valuable time. However, a good way to do this is by using the phrase “when would be a good time?” This magic expression implies that there must be some good time and incites the listener to tell you when will that time be. For instance: When would be a good time for you to take a proper look at this?
- I’m Guessing You Haven’t Got Around to: This has probably happened to everyone at least once: someone promises that he/she will do something and yet he/she hasn’t after a certain period of time. You know full well that you may ruin things if you’re aggressive, and yet you want to give the person of interest a nudge. So you start with negative then the other person will be positive automatically. For instance: I’m guessing you haven’t got around to looking over the documents yet?
- Simple Swaps: Sometimes, just changing one or two words can make all the difference. For example, swapping the slogan “I’m blind: would you give me some money?” with “It’s a sunny day, but I can’t see it…” has exactly yielded more than positive results. ( you may have seen the video). You do the same. For instance: instead of asking your audience “Do you have any questions?” ask them “What questions do you have for me?” That way, you’re in control.
- You Have Three Options: When it comes to decision-making, we are notoriously susceptible to being fooled by both our emotions and our reason. Also, we tend to suffer from something called analysis paralysis when we have to choose from a number of options. A good way to take control over situations such as these is by offering only three options; afterward, just ask the other person “Of those three options, what’s going to be easier for you?”
- Two Types of People: If you want to prompt a near-instant decision, then frame the options within the “two types of people” narrative. “The second someone hears, ‘There are two types of people in this world,’” writes Jones, “the little voice in their head immediately wonders which one they are, and they wait with bated breath to hear the choices.” For instance: There are two types of people in this world: those who leave their personal financial success in the hands of their employers and those who take full responsibility and build their own futures.
- I Bet You’re a Bit Like Me: The reason why you can’t convince strangers to do anything is that they are strangers: we are evolutionarily preprogrammed not to trust people who are unlike us. Just say “I bet you’re a bit like me” whenever you want to furnish a closer connection to the other person.
- If… Then: You remember the “if… then” from your childhood: “If you don’t tidy your room, then you’re going to be grounded for the weekend.” Or, even more universal: “If you are going to complete your homework now, then you’re going to get an ice cream.” It worked, didn’t it? Well, now it’s your turn to act like your mother; ok, a bit like her.
- Don’t Worry: The best way to deal with a high-stress scenario? Just convince the other person that nothing’s out of order at the moment and that you have everything under control. You need no more than two words to do this: “DONT WORRY” For instance: Don’t worry. I felt just the way you feel right now before I started.
- Most People: You know what most people are afraid of? Being the outcasts, the recluses, the castaways; in a nutshell: being unlike most people. hence I don’t think I need to teach you how to use these words.
- The Good News: This one you know from practically every second film: even if the good news follows after the worst news, they always tend to bring some relief. The formula is, even more, easier and more powerful if there is no bad news. Everyone wants some positivity. So here is the good news, now you have started learning a lot of magic words aye!!
- What Happens Next: Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, conversations may come to a halt due to the indecisiveness of your talking partner. So, take the next step don’t hesitate, just say what happens next is ……. this will make the other person listen to your opinion and rely on your decision.
- What Makes You Say That? : Sometimes – or, let’s face it: oftentimes – you’ll face not only indecisiveness but also objections and protests. “I haven’t got the time now,” “I would, but I don’t have the money,” “I’m pretty sure your idea is great, but I’ve heard many better ideas,” etc. In such a case, you just have to calm yourself down and say What makes you say that? for instance: The customer says, “Really, I don’t have all the money right now.” You say, “What makes you say that?” this will automatically allow the other person to rethink why did he/she say these.
- Before You Make Your Mind Up: Moving from a “no” to a “yes” is all but impossible; however, moving from a “no” to a “maybe” and from a “maybe” to a “yes” is conceivable. The best way to make a step in the right direction concerning the first section of this two-part journey is by using the magic word “before you make your mind up.”It inspires the other person to rethink his/her decision – and, in many cases, he/she will.
- If I Can, Will You?: I am not talking about the movie here, sometimes, the objection from another side may have numerous reasons why the things didn’t go as you want. You have the power in these situations. Respond by saying “If I can….. will you?” I am not saying to challenge the other party though. Let’s take an example: If I can match that price for you, then would you be happy to place the order with me today? this makes the other person feel the deal is in their favor. shhhhhh but it’s not.
- Enough: Influencing other people’s decisions is all about making it easier for them to decide. Of course, in a way that suits you best. For example, if you are in a grocery store unable to choose between buying four or eight apples. And when the seller asks you “Would six apples be enough for you?” you’ll probably answer “yes” because of the presence of that enough. Suddenly – four apples seem too few.
- Just One More Thing: We have heard this word quite a few times from our boss. Well, don’t lie to me!!! one more thing you should also take care about your tone as well. Just one more thing, just remember to use and implement exactly the correct words.
- A Favor: Have you ever tried saying to him/her something along the lines. Could do me a small favor? please read all of these and comment down below.
- Just Out of Curiosity: Just out of curiosity, what is it that’s stopping you from moving forward with this right now? or Just out of curiosity, what is stopping you to read all these?
In conclusion, this book prepares you for nearly every known eventuality and provides you with a fair advantage in almost every conversation. EXACTLY WHAT TO SAY: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact “Indeed, the right words spoken the right way, while perhaps not actually magic, can sure have the results of such“.
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By: Salina Shrestha