Teachers are sales people. They may not sell tangibles but they definitely sell ideas. And often the challenge many teachers face is that they find it difficult to persuade their students to listen to them and eventually buy the ideas and/or activities they sell.It is imperative, therefore, that every teacher be equipped with the needed persuasion skills to win students' attention and support and cooperation.
Here are five very simple steps to achieving this.
1. What's In It For Me? Always speak using the language of benefits. Present to your students the benefit/s they can earn out of listening to you, following your instruction and learning the concepts you teach. They will more likely to follow if they know exactly what's in it for them. Concentrate on their needs and wants and tie up your lessons and/or activities to that. One very good example is that after discussing a lesson on the four basic mathematical operation, ask your students to organize a classroom mini-fair where they can engage themselves in a buy and sell activity. This way, they will be able to make use of the math skills they've just learned.
2. Provide proof or evidences. Show your students that there are a number of people who became successful using the concepts you are teaching them. Speak from your and other people's experiences, provide testimonials, share biographies and other evidences that will convince them that you've gotten the best idea which they need to be successful in their endeavors.
3. Speak their language and act their way. Yes, students prefer to listen to teachers with whom they can relate. And they can only relate with you if you know their world: their language and their ways. Use terms that would be appealing to them and act as if you're one with them in spirit and in deed. Students do not want someone whom they can't reach, who is on a pedestal and a distant away. Reach out to your students so that they, too, will reach out to you by doing exactly what you tell them to do.
4. Be sincerely nice and concern. Don't be stingy when it comes to complimenting. Learn to sincerely compliment your students rather than criticize them a lot. Also, show how sincere you are in extending help to your students by the lessons you teach and the activities you're asking them to perform. When your students see these positive actions, they will be swayed to listen more and work harder.
5. Wear a beautiful smile. Don't forget to begin your lesson (selling) presentation with a smile on your face. This simple act goes a long way. It truly brightens up the day of your students, setting a more conducive atmosphere for interaction and learning. Remember, buyers will more like to buy from a sales person who appears friendly rather than from one who appears grumpy.There you have it, the five real simple ways of selling your ideas to your students. What are you waiting for? Plan tomorrow's selling presentation now!
