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)

Very Useful!

One of the few books that I could put aspects of it into practice and see immediate benefits. Loved it!

Great book if Analytical

if you are good at applying concepts you read to your own sales process this is a great book or if you are In the business of Compliance with rules and regulations.

Great ideas

I am in marketing and got multiple tags and phrasings that I can use to influence clients to see how my services will work better for them than my competition!

Very Interesting book!

What did you love best about Yes!?

I loved all the different and fascinating studies on how people are influenced.

What did you like best about this story?

Each story (study) was so interesting.

What did you learn from Yes! that you would use in your daily life?

I will have to listen to this book again. The book makes you aware of how we are...and do...influence each other...in ways you might not have suspected.

Any additional comments?

It was a fun and interesting listen. :-)

Lots of good nuggets of info. Very interesting

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, anyone interested in understanding the way humans work, and how to influence others.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the tips on preventing being unduly influenced. Cool research shared as well.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Yes!?

Ask a small favor before a big one

Any additional comments?

I'll probably read it again to refresh the insights

another version of a better book

very good, however if your looking to read/listen to only one book on the subject I would highly recommend "influence science and practice" which is a more detailed version of this book.

Red the new INFLUENCE book by Cialdini.

All this stuff is covered in his updated book. It’s good stuff to k ow and listen to, but redundant. The book was really funny too. Great humor and the voice actor add the right auditoria color for a book like this. Great voice to listen too.

Interesting and useful.

The book is, as promised, a well referenced scientific discussion of ways that you can be more persuasive. The narrator is adequate but does not sound like a polished "pro", which in some ways gives it a more authentic feel. The authors try their best to introduce humor and keep it interesting but it is, after all, a review of scientific literature so it is understandable that some parts are a bit dry.

However, the chapters and the book as a whole, are straight to the point and packed with useful information making it much less of an investment in time than most of us have probably wasted elsewhere. The format lends itself well to skipping around and picking out just the points you wish to try to apply. Anyone who is interested in self improvement either personally or in business, as I am sure anyone bothering to read this review is, would do well to not miss out on these tips.

If you are wondering how easily they are applied I have used at least 7 of the techniques in this review. Seriously though, I am so glad that I listened to it that I plan to buy the hard copy in order to have it as a reference. Much of it qualifies as "pearls" that can easily be dolled out at staff meetings and similar venues.

Well Rounded!

This is truly a great piece of work. Well rounded and covers many different situations. One of the most profound materials I have come across & read in a long time.

Solid

The book presents well researched behavioral responses. It is concise and a minimum of fluff - so I found it useful and interesting.