Goldmine Marketing

Here’s what I’m up to…

  • Focus and Misdirection! Five Rules of Magic (and How They Can Improve Your Persuasion Game)

    When I was growing up, my Grandpa always had a joke or a magic trick at the ready. My memories of childhood aren’t well defined, quite fuzzy really, but there are stand-outs with Grandpa Damie’s magic.

    "dark jack" by Akki annant, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    “dark jack” by Akki annant, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    Throughout his life and beyond, I’ve heard great things about my grandpa. People remembered his generosity and personal touch. He would receive Christmas cards and accolades years after seeing old friends, coworkers, and neighbors.

    How did my Grandpa Damie have such an impact on people?

    An impact that was remembered long after? (more…)

  • Persuasion Articles of the Week

    Image "Money bw" by Monochrome, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Image “Money bw” by Monochrome, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    #urgency #scarcity #parenting #frame #videogame #publicspeaking #self

    (more…)

  • Persuasion Articles of the Week

    Photo "Slot Machines" by Rennett Stowe, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Photo “Slot Machines” by Rennett Stowe, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    #confirmationbias #technology #kids #stress #friction #healthcare

    (more…)

  • These are my recent Messages from the Universe

    Last Friday I got a message from the Universe. Sunday I got another.

    Let me back up.

    When I first started PersuasionReadingList.com, an early post was about the confirmation bias I had experienced at the time. Numerous, unrelated sources had all suggested that I Offer Water to people.

    Coming from multiple sources, it was as if the Universe was talking to me, making sure I didn’t miss the message. I still offer water, the source of life.

    Full Moon, 2018-03-02, from my Nikon D5100 and a 240mm zoom lens. Image CC-By-2.0 Jeffrey G Thomas
    Hi Moon, what’s going on? “SGT’s Full Moon,” 2018-03-02, from my Nikon D5100 and a 240mm zoom lens. Image by Jeffrey G Thomas, CC-By-2.0

    There were other messages around that time, too. Learn about Persuasion was one message. Think Big was another.

    And now, the Universe is Back.

    (more…)

  • Persuasion Articles of the Week

    "Boy watches TV for the first time from an appliance store window 1948"
    “Boy watches TV for the first time from an appliance store window 1948”

    #tv #screentime #dopamine #nudge #defaults #diminishingreturns #money #experts

    (more…)

  • 10 Things I Learned from “Nudge” by Thaler and Sunstein

    10 Things I Learned from “Nudge” by Thaler and Sunstein

    Most weekends, my wife and I make it a point to write out a dinner menu, spend an hour shopping, and prep for some dinners in the upcoming week.

    It’s not the way we’d prefer to spend Sunday morning. It doesn’t matter. We know that having the menu ready and the food in the house is going to massively increase the chances that we will enjoy a home-cooked dinner.

    "Mmmmm, Burgers!" by m01229, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Restaurant food is always ready to please! “Mmmmm, Burgers!” by m01229, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    The ever-present alternative is restaurant food. I love restaurant food! It’s cooked, it’s salty and fatty and delicious, it’s exactly what I wanted, and I can get it brought right to my front door! (more…)

  • What is your Cash really worth? The Law of Diminishing Returns

    We’ve all been asked to donate to our favorite causes.

    School events, charities, public radio, and politicians have all asked for our cash. They each promise the biggest bang for our buck.

    Politicians ask for small donations not because it makes a large difference, but because you'll remain consistant. Image "Bernie Sanders - Caricature" by DonkeyHotey, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Politicians ask for small donations not because it makes a large difference, but because you’ll remain consistent. Image “Bernie Sanders – Caricature” by DonkeyHotey, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    How about you, have you donated small amounts of cash to any politicians? (more…)

  • Persuasion Articles of the Week

    "Engineering Department employees, 1962, Item 74240" by Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Cultivating Pride with Gratitude and Compassion keeps your team working happily. Photo “Engineering Department employees, 1962, Item 74240” by Seattle Municipal Archives, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    #emotions #outsideview #memory #phones #nudge

    (more…)

  • Inside View vs. Outside View

    Most problems are not unique. Chances are, what is happening to you has happened to many others. It will happen again to others.

    What's the outside view? Photo "001102" by my new favorite photographer Alexey Gaponov, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    What’s the outside view? Photo “001102” by my new favorite photographer Alexey Gaponov, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    • New restaurants often fail within five years
    • New love often is blind to incompatibilities
    • ‘Good enough’ mentality often overlooks opportunities

    What can you learn from those who have traveled this path before you?

    (more…)

  • Persuasion Articles of the Week

    Photo "001597" by Alexey Gaponov, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
    Photo “001597” by Alexey Gaponov, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

    #stupid #questions #everythingisrelative #comparisons #convenience #information #scarcity #time #socialproof

    (more…)