Yes!

50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive

By: Noah J. Goldstein, Steve J. Martin, Robert B. Cialdini

Narrated by: Blair Hardman

Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Small changes can make a big difference in your powers of persuasion.

Every day we face the challenge of persuading others to do what we want. But what makes people say yes to our requests? Persuasion is not only an art, it is also a science, and researchers who study it have uncovered a series of hidden rules for moving people in your direction.

Based on more than 60 years of research into the psychology of persuasion, Yes! reveals 50 simple but remarkably effective strategies that will make you much more persuasive at work and in your personal life, too.

Cowritten by the world's most quoted expert on influence, Professor Robert Cialdini, Yes! presents dozens of surprising discoveries from the science of persuasion in short, enjoyable, and insightful chapters that you can apply immediately to become a more effective persuader.

Why did a sign pointing out the problem of vandalism in the Petrified Forest National Park actually increase the theft of pieces of petrified wood? Why did sales of jam multiply tenfold when consumers were offered many fewer flavors? Why did people prefer a Mercedes immediately after giving reasons why they prefer a BMW? What simple message on cards left in hotel rooms greatly increased the number of people who behaved in environmentally friendly ways?

Often counterintuitive, the findings presented in Yes! will steer you away from common pitfalls while empowering you with little known but proven wisdom.

Whether you are in advertising, marketing, management, on sales, or just curious about how to be more influential in everyday life, Yes! shows how making small, scientifically proven changes to your approach can have a dramatic effect on your persuasive powers.

©2008 Noah J. Goldstein, Steve J. Martin, and Robert B. Cialdini (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

" Yes! is the Freakonomics of social psychology. This book changed my way of looking at the world. This thinking is the real deal. Don't miss out!" (Daniel Finkelstein, Comment Editor, The Times, London)

Egg Heads wrote this book

Would you listen to Yes! again? Why?

No, it was somewhat interesting but in the end reading a book will never make you more persuasive, only practice can make you more persuasive. The authors give the facts, but fail to delve very far below the surface as to what is going on. Also, the jokes are as lame as they come.

What could the authors have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I don't know, but the book reads like a college paper that goes on way too long where it should be short and way too short where some additional explanation would be nice. Also, the political correctness of the this book oozes out through the seams here and there; not so much by what is said but by what is not said.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Too happy, too upbeat, not real or just annoying; it's the kind of thing you try to forget.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

My main take away is social proof or what I have termed Group Guidance which I think better describes what is going on when people make decisions based on what a group is doing or not doing. The book never gets into why this works on some and not others though, although it's pretty obvious that not considering oneself a part of the subject group would be one reason.

Any additional comments?

I wrote too much already, starting to feel like I could have written this book, which I probably could have. That's not a compliment.

I will manipulate people with this...

Had to keep making notes because it is just packed full of great advice and its all backed with science.

Story is kinda boring however this is an educational book. I see many uses of this knowledge in life in general, I think I will go and manipulate people now...goodbye.

It's Okay

A mostly interesting collection of anecdotes drawn from a lot of surveys of college students and others, mostly anecdotal evidence despite the subtitle. The authors spend a great deal of time repeating the phrase "scientific researchers" to add credibility to their work, but I'm not sure they recognize the difference between a scientist and a pollster. And maybe there isn't one.

Actionable information.

Bite sized nuggets of information that can be used immediately to improve your business. And a few things not to do.

Impressive

I wasn't sure what to expect when I chose this book over some others in my wish list that were somewhat longer in length. I was very pleased.

This book isn't filled with any 'fluff' but every chapter presents something new and interesting, each having studies and experiments backing them up.

Each of the 50 points were pertinent, interesting and not always obvious. I would say this is a must have book for anyone who needs to sell, garner support, or even avoid being persuaded if they don't want to be.

I'm all thumbs and they're all up for this one.

very interesting

book had many interesting ways to be persuasive, some things you would think go against it, however, once you thought about it, it made sense and was backed up by research and case studies. overall very good book.

Really Enjoyed it

I would recommend this for anyone with their own biz, or in any sort of marketing position. Its good common sense with a modern bend and all really useful info. I listened to it three times, making notes the third time to apply to my own biz. Recommend.

Great persuasion guide

loved this book, listened to it from start to finish the night before giving a presentation.

Ok, and short.

Would you try another book from the authors and/or Blair Hardman?

maybe

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I like that it was short and to the point. At the same time I may have disliked that it was so short and to the point.

Could you see Yes! being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

not at all. Just a book of what felt like bulletpoints.

@yesrichiesnow

Great listen enjoyed the content will be passing it on to others in my network🏁💯