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).

Save us from Godzilla

Fascinating examination of the ways context affects a message. Getting your audience's mind running in the right groove before you make a pitch makes all the difference. This is advanced persuasion that very few understand yet and so it's very dangerous.
The author seems to be working for the dark side now in HRC. Let's hope he fails.

Fact based Influences & Why they Matter

The audio performance was decent, but monotone. The writing was good for a book based on studies. The material was interesting and informative in regard to marketing, strategy, & sociology.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand more of the decision making process we use each day. This book is an excellent source of examples on how peripheral factors affect our world. The material is fair, balanced, and entertaining.

Interesting and compelling evidence to support theories

As with other works by Dr. Cialdini, the concepts are very compelling and supported by case studies and other examples in real life. Well organized and a must read for everyone from those who seek awareness against those who might attempt to manipulate us for less than ethical endeavors to those who seek to promote good causes.

Great actionable follow-up to Influence

Where Influence was written primarily to protect the consumer (although it's marketers who actually read it), this book is written for marketers. It presents data and actionable advice through memorable stories. I'd advise anyone who's interested in marketing of any kind to read this book, Yes! and the classic Influence, all by Dr. Cialdini.

Follows the Book Well

I purchased the book and the audible version, and the audio follows the book word by word, so I'm able to listen when I want to and follow the book if I wish to see words on paper.

Definitely should receive both if you want to listen to some amazing things that Cialdini says in this book and in his Influence, and read the book to remember it that way.