Public relations outcomes depend on the quality of one’s utilization of persuasive techniques. Self-perception is an important contextual element of persuasion due to the audience’s individual characteristics that drive their decision-making. Indeed, according to Wilcox et al., “people will perceive the same information differently, depending on their predispositions and already formulated opinions” (271). Therefore, to encourage the participants of the gathering to engage in the fund-raiser, the techniques for persuasion should be aligned with the audience’s particularities.
Overall, a positive and logical appeal to the necessity of contributing to the new generation would be a robust persuasive basis for all the participants. However, since there are two categories of the target audience, including students of the sorority and the alumni, two sets of persuasive messages should be integrated. Firstly, to encourage the students to engage in the fund-raiser, one technique might be to set an example of a celebrity who contributes to Boys and Girls Clubs to appeal to authority. Also, it might be relevant to encourage students to make their contributions or to participate as volunteers. In such a manner, they will have a structured choice, and the organizations might settle for less while asking for more (Wilcox et al. 261). This approach would allow engaging students in the fund-raiser.
Secondly, for alumni to be persuaded to participate in the fund-raiser, an emotional appeal would be relevant since these people are commonly adults who have their own families. Since this audience might have children of their own, it might be pertinent to introduce them to an emotionally colored message demonstrating the Boys and Girls Club. In such a manner a “yes-yes” persuasive technique will allow for connecting with the audience based on relatable experiences, ultimately encouraging them to participate (Wilcox et al. 261). The choice of the discussed persuasive techniques is based on audience analysis, clarity of message, and suggestions for action, which help achieve positive public relations results.