Persuasion Articles of the Week

Photo "001102" by my new favorite photographer Alexey Gaponov, Flickr, CC-By-2.0
What you focus on assumes increased importance: Focusing Illusion. Photo “001102” by my new favorite photographer
Alexey Gaponov, Flickr, CC-By-2.0

#desire #focusingillusion #reactance #enemy #choices #marketing #indoctrination #sales #motivation #socialproof #authority #Ikea #blame #mimeticconflict #status #confirmationbias

Continue reading “Persuasion Articles of the Week”

“Verbal Judo” and 10 Things You’ll Learn from George J. Thompson

People hardly ever say what they mean. Most people are driven by emotions, especially in highly-charged circumstances. Their words reflect those emotions, even if they act otherwise.

The kid (or coworker) that grumbles throughout a task — is still doing that task (even though she’s not framing it in a positive way).

"Verbal Judo" teaches you to redirect verbal aggression as a Professional
“Verbal Judo” teaches you to redirect verbal aggression as a Professional

The spouse, during an argument, who throws out the incorrect idea that Continue reading ““Verbal Judo” and 10 Things You’ll Learn from George J. Thompson”

Bakers Rising (My Life in Advertising, Chapter 6)

When you’re shopping, how closely do you monitor the price tags? We tend to think we’re very price-conscious. We do pay attention to price, it’s true, but there are many more factors at work.

Price is often one of the least important concerns when we find the right item.

For example, we can get generic shoes at many stores. Do you buy the cheapest shoes you can? Or do you look for something that expresses a bit about your personality? If not shoes, maybe you prefer that people use your title when addressing you. Maybe you like to see your name in lights. Maybe you drive a fancy car.

Everyone has a desire to express and elevate their status, and the right item to do that will make someone say, I gotta have this, price be damned.

Chapter 6 of My Life in Advertising, Personal Salesmanship. While Claude C Hopkins worked at Swift and Company selling the lard substitute Cotosuet to home users, the company was having a hard time selling to bakers. The price was higher than the competition.

Hopkins insisted that price has nothing to do with salesmanship, and he sets out to prove it.

People want prestige and recognition, including their name in print on an advertisement such as this.
People want status, prestige, and recognition. Printing the bakery name on an advertisement was reason enough to buy the placards for the window, and with it, the Cotosuet used in the baked goods.

Continue reading “Bakers Rising (My Life in Advertising, Chapter 6)”