Here's an explanation that may persuade you to use these two words differently.
Usage Rule: According to a traditional rule, persuade should be used only to mean "make someone do something," while convince should be used to mean just "make someone believe something."
• convince = to get someone to believe.
→ We need to convince people of the need to fight climate change.
• persuade = to get someone to do something.
→ How can we persuade people to help protect the environment?
However, this is a rule that writers, editors, and teachers learn, but the average person might not. The two words are often used interchangeably in speaking, and they are very close in meaning.
The distinction isn't a bad one. Persuade is associated with actions and convince is associated with beliefs. In addition, the adjective convincing is associated more with belief or understanding. The adjective persuasive works well with both.
• convincing = making someone believe something.
→ Her argument was not convincing. It did not convince us.
• persuasive = making someone believe or do something.
→ Ted is persuasive. His sales pitches are very persuasive.
Importantly, this is changing—English is always changing.
The American Heritage Dictionary is a great reference book for usage questions like this. The publisher has a "usage panel" of writers and public speakers and asks their opinions.
In 1981, 61 percent of the American Heritage usage panel said it was wrong to use convince with the infinitive (e.g., convince him to go). But in 2016, 80 percent of the usage panel accepted the use.
Advice: When writing for formal purposes such as school and work, it's still a good idea to follow the traditional rule of persuade for actions and convince for beliefs/understanding. If you have a teacher or reader who believes in the rule, your writing will be more persuasive.
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