Show them money.... lol!

Same as Paul Henderson , I show them some well-staged competition! For resistant sellers I have offered to pay for a decluttering service if I'm confident of the sale.

I take them to see the competition; works every time!

Ahhhh... it can be difficult sometimes since clutter is in the eyes of the beholder! I typically go room to room and make concrete suggestions of things that I think should be moved/changed. Sometimes sellers listen to what we advise, and sometimes they don't :)

Melinda,

By taking time to explain to them why they should.  I would also have pictures of cluttered versus uncluttered so that they could see the difference. A

Up to them, I let them know how much the buyers will pay them for cleaning the home, or penalize them for not.

Ask them.

Sometimes it is a challenge. Most of the time, they listen to me. (Not for my REO/BPO)

just looking back through some of the old Q and A's.  Just leaving a comment so you know i was here :)

In your conversation, talk to them about their packing and how decluttering is the first step in their move to another home.  Give them the tips you want them to address prior to it being put on the market and keep it upbeat.  Many people need the easy tips of reminding them "no more than 3 items on a shelf"..etc..simplify to keep it a no-brainer for them.  Remind them it is easier to tidy the house before a showing if it is kept in orderly condition.  I agree with the others that you can also remind them disorder will affect their pocketbook!

Show them the competition.

This has been very helpful advice. Thank you to all who responded. I am looking to hone my appraoch in this regard and came up with some great suggestions for how to interact with the clients who either don't see it, or don't see it to be an issue.

Before the meet up to sign the listing paperwork, I will have completed a 'Room-by-Room' assessment of what needed to be addressed.

If no attempts have been made to make the house market ready, I won't waste time on the declutter conversation.

"Why are so many people looking and no one making an offer?"

Or

"Why are people making these lowball offers?"

Again we look at images of comparable SOLD homes. What can you SEE that is different from your home?

If they don't take my advice to do it and how to do it, I send in a stager for an hour at my expense to provide input. They will often listen to a "professional" in this regard and follow instructions. But if they won't declutter and it really impacts potential sale of home, to me that's an indicator that they might put other obstacles in my path to selling and I might just not take the listing.

I use the services of my stager.  She tells it like it is!

Break the news to them gently.  Tell them looking from buyer's perspective decluttering has to be done.  There are videos from David Knox that you drop off and let them hear from a third party

Painful....usually very painful. They just often don't see what I ( or any future visitor) will see.  De-clutter is the first step, bringing a handyman, cleaning ladies, stagger( if any) ~ can take awhile and Seller does not want to wait.

I tell them too do it.  When they see the difference they thank me.

I reason beyond belief. Usually the lack of showings gets them to do it. 

Tell them it is not about you, it is about the buyer.

If you want your Seller to "Declutter",

Ask the Seller:

" Do you want people to buy yourclutter or your home?"

"Do you want them to see your clutter or see your home?"

Then ask them how long do they expect to live there.

I talk with them about being prepared for THEIR move, and I give them boxes. I also often take photos on my iPad so they can see, immediately, what the home looks like online.

It can be very hard to get them motivated, but after the first show I will tell them one complaint is the clutter.

I spell it out and mention the items specifically that may be perceived as clutter. Sometimes you have to hit them right between the eyes to get them to understand. I mention renting storage units and donating or giving away and packing up since they need to prepare for their move. 

I agree with both Ron and Alexandra and also Cindy.  One person's "clutter" is another person's homeyness....not a word but you know what I mean. 

Clean and neat is the goal....less personalization and more Better Homes and Gardens or Architectural Digest, depending on the level of the home!