I would focus less energy on trying to verbally convince them, and more on doing the kind of work you think is valuable to prove results and build out your portfolio.
If you can, do some bootstrap usability testing (moderated) and record the sessions. Nothing gets attention faster than replaying a video of users running repeatedly into a brick wall. I recommend this (short) book to teach yourself how to do basic testing if you don't know already.
https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Surgery-Made-Easy-Yourself/dp/0321657292
I would focus less energy on trying to verbally convince them, and more on doing the kind of work you think is valuable to prove results and build out your portfolio.
If you can, do some bootstrap usability testing (moderated) and record the sessions. Nothing gets attention faster than replaying a video of users running repeatedly into a brick wall. I recommend this (short) book to teach yourself how to do basic testing if you don't know already.
https://smile.amazon.com/Rocket-Surgery-Made-Easy-Yourself/dp/0321657292?sa-no-redirect=1