{"id":80338,"date":"2024-06-07T19:41:52","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T19:41:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailrelay.com\/blog\/2024\/06\/07\/influencing-with-power-how-to-influence-people\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T14:08:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T14:08:41","slug":"influencing-with-power-how-to-influence-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailrelay.com\/en\/blog\/2024\/06\/07\/influencing-with-power-how-to-influence-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Influencing with power: what it means to influence someone and how to do it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The ability to influence people through online media<\/strong> has become a cornerstone of business success. <\/p>\n\n

However, this task is not without its difficulties<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

Unlike face-to-face communication<\/strong> (where non-verbal cues and the immediate context play a decisive role)<\/em> online media require you to capture attention<\/strong> to persuade and influence effectively.<\/p>\n\n

And it turns out that attention is a scarce and highly contested resource in the online world. <\/p>\n\n

Influencing strategies need to be more creative, personalized and tailored<\/strong> to an audience that is constantly navigating an endless stream of digital stimuli. <\/p>\n\n

Mastering the art of influencing through digital media is not just a competitive advantage, it’s a necessity. <\/p>\n\n\n

What does it mean to influence someone?<\/h2>\n\n

Influencing someone means getting them to change what they think, feel or do, without forcing them.<\/strong> It can happen through a conversation, an example, an ad or a well-written email.<\/p>\n\n

The dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy defines it as producing an effect on something or someone, and also as exerting dominance or moral force over another person. In Spanish, \u00abinfluenciar\u00bb is an accepted synonym, although \u00abinfluir\u00bb is the more common form.<\/p>\n\n

Influence is not always intentional. A friend who exercises can encourage you to start without saying a word. But in marketing and communication it is: you want someone to open your email, trust your brand or try your product.<\/p>\n\n

Influencing, persuading and manipulating are not the same thing<\/h3>\n\n

The three words are often confused. This table sums up the difference:<\/p>\n\n

<\/th>Influencing<\/th>Persuading<\/th>Manipulating<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
What it is<\/td>Affecting another person’s ideas or behavior<\/td>Convincing with arguments and emotions<\/td>Getting someone to act through deception or against their own interest<\/td><\/tr>
Intent<\/td>Can be unintentional<\/td>Always conscious<\/td>Hidden<\/td><\/tr>
Respects the other person’s freedom<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
Example in an email<\/td>A sender you trust<\/td>An email with reasons to try a product<\/td>A fake countdown to force a purchase<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n
\"Influencing,<\/figure>\n\n

In this article we talk about honest influence: the kind that helps the other person decide, not the kind that decides for them.<\/p>\n\n

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Put influence into practice in your emails<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create campaigns that connect with your audience and measure which messages work best with Mailrelay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Create a free account<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Introduction to influence<\/h2>\n\n

Influence<\/strong> is the power to have a significant effect on the decisions, behaviors and opinions of others. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

In the context of business, influencing effectively can mean the difference between a sale and being forgotten. <\/p>\n\n

But what makes some messages, ideas or products resonate strongly while others go unnoticed? <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

This question takes us to the heart of influence, where psychology, communication and empathy intertwine.<\/p>\n\n

The concept and meaning of influence<\/h3>\n\n

Influence can be defined as the ability to affect the character, development or behavior of someone or something, or the very effect of that ability. <\/p>\n\n

In marketing and communication, influencing means more than simply persuading<\/strong> someone to take an action. <\/p>\n\n

It’s about making a lasting impact on people’s attitudes and perceptions. <\/p>\n\n

Influence is exercised through a variety of channels and methods, from advertising to direct dialog, and each presents its own challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n

Why and how other people influence us<\/h3>\n\n

People are influenced by a multitude of factors<\/strong>, including: <\/p>\n\n