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“Obvious Adams” by Robert Updegraff
(Persuasion Play Podcast 003)

I started the book reviews on PersuasionReadingList.com over two years ago. The first was My Life in Advertising by Claude C. Hopkins, a classic written in 1927.

Over those two years, I’ve summarized my favorite lessons from 17 books — and I have a dozen or more on my bookshelf waiting to be read and written up or otherwise shared.

Can you justify such behavior? Image from Steve Martin's movie "The Jerk", 1979
Image from Steve Martin’s movie “The Jerk”, 1979

It’s been fun and educational on my end — and I hope on your end too!

As I continue along my PRL journey, learning about the forces that influence us and how we, in turn, can influence the world around us, I was bound to Continue reading ““Obvious Adams” by Robert Updegraff
(Persuasion Play Podcast 003)”

13 Words to Identify Mind Readers

Dear reader, we’ve discussed mind-reading, remember? We know it’s probably not real… right?

Maybe it is, maybe it’s not. That’s beside the point. Honestly I don’t know the scope of reality beyond what my brain understands, and I’m sure there’s a lot I don’t understand.

A wise man is never certain about anything!

So I don’t know if some specially attuned people can read minds or not… but I’m pretty sure that your run-of-the-mill news reporter cannot.

Image "Newspapers B&W (3)" by Jon S, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
Image “Newspapers B&W (3)” by Jon S, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

Continue reading “13 Words to Identify Mind Readers”

Just Give Away all the Library Books!

I just finished reading the Saint Paul newspaper.

It seems our mayor wants to do away with library fines.

New fines, old fines, all of the fines… out the door.

Here we are, a society that can’t accept enough responsibility to iron a shirt…

and now we’re removing one of the few driving forces that encourage people to return books on time?

I think it’s… ridiculous, pandering, expensive… and… after thinking it over…

possibly a great idea! Continue reading “Just Give Away all the Library Books!”

10 Things I Learned from “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday

Much of what we think of as “persuasion” is really “motivation.”

The secret to “motivating people” is to find what already motivates them, and to tap into that. Because you’re not likely to change someone’s mind, and…

people aren’t going to work against their own happiness.

"The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday
“The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday

A great way to tap into existing motivations is to frame your argument in a way that encompasses the interests of each group. Continue reading “10 Things I Learned from “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday”

Persuasion Articles of the Week

Photo "IMG_2810_1" by Allie, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
Photo “IMG_2810_1” by Allie, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

#Trump #interest #persuasion #advertising #contrast #hypnosis #opticalillusion #genuine

Big List Today! Including a Free UDemy Course on Hypnosis and a chance for your free ebook, The Easy Way to Start a Conversation

Continue reading “Persuasion Articles of the Week”

Interesting Developments

A few days ago I asked my email list if they had any side projects going on, any hobbies to direct their creative energies, any businesses they were trying to build.

Photo "001102" by my new favorite photographer Alexey Gaponov, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
Photo “001102” by my new favorite photographer
Alexey Gaponov, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

I heard back from a few of my most excellent subscribers (thanks!) sharing some cool side projects. Photography and drop-shipping are among of the responses that I share an interest in.

One reader, William, wrote in, and he and I had a little conversation… William mentioned that he had an interest in side projects… but was having a hard time finding something interesting enough to spend his valuable time. Continue reading “Interesting Developments”