“Nature never deceives us; it is we who deceive ourselves.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Born Jun. 28, 1712. What I love about this quote is that people generally believe it, and that makes it easy to trick them. “Nature” is an amorphous idea that most people would struggle to define. But it’s “real” and it’s “truth” […]
People Believe This, And You Can Use It To Manipulate Them Read More »
“The active part of man consists of powerful instincts, some of which are gentle and continuous; others violent and short; some baser, some nobler, and all necessary.” – Francis W. Newman, Born Jun. 27, 1805. One of the mistakes a novice persuader can make is to attempt to work on the mark’s logic. But that’s
To Persuade Quickly: Attack Instinct Via Emotions, Then Logic Read More »
“First, make yourself a reputation for being a creative genius.” – David Ogilvy, Born Jun, 23, 1911. I truncated this quote. Steps two and three only apply if you’re working with partners – if you want to know, look it up… For now, though, I want to focus on what Ogilvy said was his first
How to Become a Genius Without Being That Smart Read More »
“An actor entering through the door, you’ve got nothing. But if he enters through the window, you’ve got a situation.” – Billy Wilder, Born Jun. 22, 1906. This is the secret of telling a seductive story that uses curiosity to suck the audience in like a cross between a vacuum cleaner and a blowjob metaphor.
How One Little Story Twist Kidnaps the Reader’s Brain Read More »
“Words are loaded pistols.” – Jean-Paul Sartre, Born Jun. 21, 1905. I like this quote a lot as it relates to persuasive writing. Much better than that Shakespeare bullshit about the pen being mightier than the sword. That just makes people cocky and ineffective. Good persuasive writing paints the untenable scenario for the reader. Wronged.
Why Being a Good Writer is a Dangerous Power Read More »
“People crave trustworthy information about the world we live in. Some people want it because it is essential to the way they make a living. Some want it because they regard being well-informed as a condition of good citizenship. Some want it because they want something to exchange over dinner tables and water coolers.” –
How To Make Even Strangers Come To Trust Your Every Word… Read More »
“I think those who object to my characterizing man as simple want somehow to retain a deep mystery at his core.” – Herbert A. Simon, Born Jun. 15, 1916. You are a chimpanzee in shoes. Your “self” is a hallucination being had by a computer made of meat. Civilization is a byproduct of
Chimpanzees In Shoes: Or Why This Job Is So Easy… Read More »
“Gossip is essentially storytelling: storytelling about people whom we know.” – Mona Simpson, Born Jun. 14, 1957. I think gossip – as a tone – is an under-appreciated angle when it comes to persuasion and influence. *leans in to closer* Listen… Gossip isn’t just a story about people we know – it can be the
Turn Your Pitch Into Gossip, and People Lean in Closely Read More »
“Expressions of solemn testimony have long been important to the children of God upon the earth.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin, Born Jun. 11, 1917. I’m going to pretend this quote is about the use of testimonials in advertising. So many marketers misunderstand the PURPOSE of testimonials, and therefore, they MISUSE them. You don’t
Why Testimony is Better Than Any Copy Anyone Can Write Read More »
“If language did not affect behavior, it could have no meaning.” – Kenneth L. Pike, Born Jun. 9, 1912. There are a buncha idiots out there who frown upon the use of language for deliberate persuasive aim. You know them. They hate commercials. They think marketing is evil. They probably brag about not owning a
Any Message That Isn’t Deliberately Persuasive Is Wasted Read More »
