Pre-Suasion

Channeling Attention for Change

By: Robert Cialdini Ph.D. Ph.D.

Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd

The acclaimed New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller from Robert Cialdini—“the foremost expert on effective persuasion” (Harvard Business Review)—explains how it’s not necessarily the message itself that changes minds, but the key moment before you deliver that message.

What separates effective communicators from truly successful persuaders? With the same rigorous scientific research and accessibility that made his Influence an iconic bestseller, Robert Cialdini explains how to prepare people to be receptive to a message before they experience it. Optimal persuasion is achieved only through optimal pre-suasion. In other words, to change “minds” a pre-suader must also change “states of mind.”

Named a “Best Business Books of 2016” by the Financial Times, and “compelling” by The Wall Street Journal, Cialdini’s Pre-Suasion draws on his extensive experience as the most cited social psychologist of our time and explains the techniques a person should implement to become a master persuader. Altering a listener’s attitudes, beliefs, or experiences isn’t necessary, says Cialdini—all that’s required is for a communicator to redirect the audience’s focus of attention before a relevant action.

From studies on advertising imagery to treating opiate addiction, from the annual letters of Berkshire Hathaway to the annals of history, Cialdini outlines the specific techniques you can use on online marketing campaigns and even effective wartime propaganda. He illustrates how the artful diversion of attention leads to successful pre-suasion and gets your targeted audience primed and ready to say, “Yes.” His book is “an essential tool for anyone serious about science based business strategies…and is destined to be an instant classic. It belongs on the shelf of anyone in business, from the CEO to the newest salesperson” (Forbes).

He's done it again!

Perhaps there's no need to read the original, classic, "Influence" now that we have an updated and hopefully even more "influential" work from the master in this field. James Altucher conducted an excellent intervie with Cialdini which prompted me to buy the book. Whatever th opposite of "disappointed" is, this book is it. I listened on 1.25x speed which was perfect for me.

Educational, but a bit dry

I enjoyed the book as an academic work, as it relies on a lot of studies and scientific approaches. Unfortunately, this approach sacrifices some of the allure similar books may have, and if it's not one's style, they might find it hard to finish. Still, lots of examples from various situations (from business to history) helped to draw me in, and I learned a lot.

Worthwhile

This is my first business/management book I have read since I retired over a decade ago. Fiction is definitely more fun.

Prime the Pump

Loved it. Easy listening on 1.9x - a great intro into "priming the pump" of human behavior.

eye opening

I see now where ive made so many mistakes in sales. Learning what research has found to be true, I think, will improve my numbers considerably.