How to Make Friends and Persuade People to Do Things
Friends Laughing
Thanks to Pixabay
The Importance of Friends
We are social animals; therefore, it is human nature for people to want to have friends. Friends are people who understand you because they share your likes and dislikes. You can also count on friends for assistance and sympathy in need. Not everyone, however, has friends, or many of them. This is undoubtedly due to some people's introverted nature and lack of self-confidence. Based on my experiences in life, I would like to suggest ways to make friends and persuade them to do things for you.
Tips on How to Make Friends and Persuade Them to Do Things
Making friends is the hardest thing for some people to do. Due to my innate introverted personality, it was difficult for me to make friends, too, until I started adopting the following measures which I will explain as tips for making friends and persuading people to do things for you:
1. Feel Good About Yourself and Express Self-Confidence: How can you like or love others if you don't like or love yourself? Perhaps you don't like yourself because you are too heavy and have a body odor. If that's the case, lose weight and eliminate the body odor. It will make you feel better and give you self-confidence when interacting with others.
2. Force Yourself To Be Outgoing: Since most people look out for themselves first, they will not be that eager to reach out and ask you to be a friend. Therefore, you cannot be shy or afraid to talk to people. Earlier in my life, I wasn't as successful as a real estate agent because I dreaded contacting people by cold calling. The other agents who were quite extroverted and had the gift of gab could reach out to clients and get the listings I couldn't get.
3. Smile: Why is a dog man's best friend? It's simple. A dog is always smiling and projecting itself to be very friendly to people. If you want to show people you are approachable, you must smile and it should be sincere. I have always felt more at ease with people who frequently smile when they talk with me.
4. Give People Compliments: Everyone likes to hear good sincere things about themselves. It makes people feel good about themselves. When meeting a person for the first time, you might give compliments such as: "I just love your dress." or "You have done a good job with your garden."
5. Call a Person by His or Her Name: Did you know that a person's name is the most important word a person likes to hear? When you meet a person, learn his or her name, and then use it often when you talk with the person. I guarantee the person will be delighted.
6. Find Out a Person's Interests: Most people are only interested in themselves; therefore, you must learn the other person's interests for conversation. You'll be surprised how much people like to talk about themselves. While the other person is talking, you should be a good listener and not talk too much.
7. Mimic A Person's Speech and Body Language: You can do this by imitating a person's pronunciation and rate of speech, facial expressions, and gestures. This should not be done, for example, to ridicule a person. The other person will probably not even know you are mimicking him or her; however, you are subtly connecting with the person.
8. Make a Person Feel Important: While you are talking with a person about their interests, don't be afraid to make comments to show how important their work is or how well-qualified they are to do their work
9. Get Someone to Agree with You by Showing That Something Is in His or Her Interest: Let's say that a person is quite good at planting trees; however, he is reluctant to come to your house tomorrow to help you. You could persuade him to help you by saying: "John, I know that you are an expert in planting trees by just looking at your garden. You like planting trees, don't you?" John will probably answer yes, and then you could say, "I know you would enjoy helping me plant this cherry tree tomorrow."
You will never make friends if you don't develop self-confidence and eliminate shyness. Try out the nine tips above and you'll be on your way to making friends and being an expert at making people do things for you.
Making Friends
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This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.
© 2011 Paul Richard Kuehn
Comments
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on March 27, 2015:
Yes, I should have added the choice "all of these" on my little poll. You are correct in pointing out that it is a combination of things that allows us to make friends and that friendship is a two way street. Keep sending your angels. I will need them in the near future.
Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on March 24, 2015:
Yes, Friends are little treasures and I have among my friends Angels (and reading my hubs you know how special they are to me.) On your little poll I would have checked 'all of these' had that been a choice as I think it is a combination of things that allows us to make friends and for it to be a true friendship those behaviors should be two way.
Well said Paul.
And even though it would not seem possible I have friends here on HubPages even though I may never meet them face to face.
Angels are on the way to you this morning...ps
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on September 15, 2013:
jainismus,
Thank you very much for reading and commenting on this hub. Showing a genuine interest in others is the first step in making friends.
Mahaveer Sanglikar from Pune, India on September 14, 2013:
Very true. following these things will surely gives us a lot of friends.
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on April 06, 2013:
Rajan,
I'm happy you liked this hub. Dale Carnegie has written a great book on this subject. It is called "How to Win Friends and Influence People." I have borrowed some of his ideas for this article. I appreciate you sharing and tweeting this hub.
Rajan Singh Jolly from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 06, 2013:
Very useful tips for sure, Paul and you have done a great service for such people who find it difficult to make friends in the first instance.
I think a smile connects people instantly because it sends positive vibes but of course in the right situation.
Voting this up, useful, interesting. Shared and tweeted as well.
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on March 30, 2013:
Thanks for your honest comments on this hub. I think I can understand how you feel.
C E Clark from North Texas on March 29, 2013:
I've been pretty successful in sales and customer service, but my outgoing personality has limits and eventually I get tired of putting on a facade. Not many people have the same interests I do. If you look at my selection of hubs you'll see more nerdy things than girly things.
Calling me by name will not endear you. I hate my name and always have. If I pick up the phone and someone calls me by my given name I know immediately it's most likely a telemarketer or someone I don't want to talk to. There's a good chance I'll hang up the phone on the spot.
But for normal people ;) this list of things to do in order to make friends seems great. Voted up and will share.
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on March 21, 2013:
ishwaryaa22,
Thank you very much for reading this hub. I have been a somewhat shy, introverted person for much of my life. Now that I am older, I am much more extroverted, especially after coming here to Thailand to teach. I appreciate your votes, comments, and sharing.
Ishwaryaa Dhandapani from Chennai, India on March 21, 2013:
An engaging hub with helpful points. If one is interested in making friends, one should overcome one's shyness just as you rightly mentioned. Well-done!
Thanks for SHARING. Useful & Interesting. Voted up & shared
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on September 17, 2012:
Thanks for reading and your comments, Mike.
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on September 17, 2012:
jainismus,
Thanks for reading and your comments! I appreciate you sharing this hub.
Mike Spain from USA on September 17, 2012:
neat tips thanks for sharing
Mahaveer Sanglikar from Pune, India on September 17, 2012:
Great tips on making new friends, and influence them. Shared with followers.
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on September 10, 2012:
Thanks for the regards. Best of wishes to you, too, Vonda.
vonda g nelson on September 09, 2012:
No problem Paul, you have a great attitude! If the truth be told I didn't think you would allow my post, but you did so it's all good..... Best of wishes to you and yours.....CiaO
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on September 08, 2012:
vonda,
Thank you very much for reading and your good comments. You are correct. People should not pretend to connect on false pretenses.
vonda g nelson on September 08, 2012:
Hi Paul....#7 is tricky.... people won't be so fond of a person pretending to connect on false pretenses. When dealing with someone that knows how to read between the lines they may just see you for who you are (and maybe take it as an insult) rather than entertain you. There is no need to be subtle, I think people that are genuine would rather genuine behavior....if my mind doesn't deceive me I think this may be the case.
Emmanuel Kariuki from Nairobi, Kenya on June 11, 2012:
Good tips Paul. I find I fluctuate between extrovert and introvert, can't be sure which one is the real me. I recommend keeping these tips in view all the time for those seriously wanting to get ahead - shared.
web promotion on June 10, 2012:
That was some interesting stuff here on paulkuehn.hubpages.com Thanks for posting it.
Paul Richard Kuehn (author) from Udorn City, Thailand on May 09, 2012:
Thank you very much for the favorable comments and sharing.
Theresa Ast from Atlanta, Georgia on May 08, 2012:
These are useful techniques for overcoming one's own shyness or introversion and reaching out to make connections with other people. As long as we are genuine and sincere in our desire to build healthy friendships, these are helpful approaches. SHARING
