Persuading Learners to Buy: 7 Groups

There are seven major reasons why adults continueimagine the fun you will have.
their pursuit to learn. Each of the reasons play into
the way you want to present your sales information.5. With a percentage only a few digits behind the
Studies completed by the United States Departmentfourth, people attend just to meet new people with
of Education (USDOE), Commission on Nontraditionalsimilar interests. If one event was successful for
Study and surveys conducted by the National Centerthem one year, they will most likely return without
for Education Statistics (NCES) show little change inmuch persuasion.
why learners keep wanting to learn since 1964.
Language: Meet new people, plenty of time to
Since the 21st century the statistics have shown anetwork, popular, team activities, interactive,
small increase only. In 1964, U.S. Dept. of Educationpleasure, sold out early last year, don't wait, laugh,
reported that only 37% of the U.S. population tookenjoy, carefree, playful, festive, entertaining, amusing,
an assertive role in their learning. The latest report,curious.
2002, only shows a 3% increase.
6. In the low teens, approximately 10%, these
Why is this information important for selling learninglearners just like to expand their everyday lives. They
opportunities? These statistical reports show exactlywant a simpler, easier, way of living day-to-day. They
what language to use to get their attention and whatlike the shortcuts, appliances and tools that they use
it takes for them to open their wallets.regularly that are new, faster, and easier to use.
They will toss out a two year old still working
Phrases, words, ideas, and thoughts, if conveyedappliance to have one that makes their life just a little
appropriately to the group of choice can make thebit easier.
difference between survival and thriving.
Use words and phrases that save them personal
1. The highest, 40%, choose to learn to become atime or money always works well. Things that help
more-informed person and like having knowledge infix things easier, decorating like a pro, cook in less
their tool bag.time, and discount travel. They prefer group events
rather than single family or solo pursuits. They want
Language that grabs learners attention and persuadesto learn only the bare information that applies to now
them to buy is: opportunity, advantage, timeless,and 100% to what they need at the moment.
chance, essential, treasure, priceless, rare, gateway,
treasurer, growth, and wisdom.Language: Now, current, inexpensive, lowest, terrific
value, compare, affordable, gain, best buy, best bet,
Phases included: A unique opportunity; Be prepared;cuts, brief, compact, slim, minute, a dash of,
Free opportunity (actually any phrase withcondensed, compressed, anywhere, diminutive,
opportunity included); If you pass this up you'll beversatile, safety, popular, special features, durable,
passé.useful, new.
2. Adults who are preparing themselves for a career7. Tied with #6 around 10%, this group of learners
transition - new job or new occupation follow closeattend because they are bored, thought it would get
behind the first group. And in a few of the results,them out of their rut, so they will not be alone, and if
this group jumps to the top and the other takesit helps them finish outside the home tasks faster
second place. Yet, always very close to each other.and easier.
In the USDOE reports they were 1% behind and in
the NCES, 2% ahead.Language: Speedy, easy as 1-2-3, effective, efficient,
fun, team, buddy, group, play, easy [anything],
Words that attract and persuade this group include:intimate, usual, exercises, joint, together, jointly, give,
winning, motivate, clear-headed, clear-sighted,share.
excellence, gets you noticed, perceptive, potential,
sharp, jump obstacles, performs effectively, goals,Knowing what type of learner you want to attract
standards, staying on track, excels, leader, leadershipto your seminars, workshops, TelePrograms,
roles, takes the initiative.conferences, expos, or other type of learning events.
To find similarly attractive words, phrases to sell to
3. The next group of learners expands their trainingyour chosen group of learners, use a synonym finder.
just what pertains to their current job run slightlyBegin a list of words and phrases that attract your
below the top two, approximately 32-34%. A highmarket before you create any marketing material --
majority, yet not all, will only attend if the employerprinted or electronic. Add this invaluable information to
compensates for their attendance. This is a toughyour target profile.
group to sell too. It usually isn't until they lose their
job and begin seeing what their laissez faire approachAlso know that the percentages don't indicate the
is now costing them.amount of revenue possibilities. For instance, just
because a type of learner you choose to market to
Attractive language to this group is: winning attitude,falls into the lowest percentage doesn't mean that
envy, self-confidence, team work, wants, desires,they don't have enough discretionary revenue to pay
quiet confidence, risk, self-discipline. Other words andfor learning.
phrases include finding a better paying job.
The most important key to all this is to learn to
4. Fourth group percentage drops to low 20s. Theyaddress each group separately. For example, if part
attend learning-type seminars, workshops, and otherof your marketing campaign included e-mail marketing
events for the sheer joy of it. It doesn't matter if it'sannouncements. You would create a separate e-mail
on window washing or dog bathing.(or more) for each group and not try to roll all the
groups into one e-mail. Please take heed in this last
Language: inspired, energy,, joy, fun, knowledgestatement. Trying to put everything into one
about, look at what you can learn, what type ofmarketing piece is the most common mistake that
other people are going to be attending, make newnew business people fall into and the biggest culprit
friends, bring a friend, a friend can attend forto no success.Catherine Franz is a Marketing &
(discount or free), discover, passion, boundaries,Writing Coach, niches, product development, Internet
shoot for the stars, control, future, adventure,marketing, nonfiction writing and training.