10 Top Books on Persuasion

Moving on to the next in our book series (Self help, communication, sales, entrepreneurial and leadership), here’s my 10 top books on persuasion!  I’m very excited to share these ten books with those of you who want to know how to be more persuasive.

Know this – persuasion is a developed skill.  Very few of us are born with the innate ability to get people to do what we want.  When I wrote that, I had to think, “It seems like my daughters were.  I would do anything for them. They can just bat their eyes and look up at me, and I’m done!”  I’m sure that has to do with their cuteness factor so it doesn’t count for purposes of today’s blog on the 10 top books on persuasion.

Anyway, I digress.  Check out this definition below on persuasion.

Pretty powerful, right?  You can see why so many books are written on this topic. Being able to communicate is one thing but being able to persuade people is something entirely different.

Now, don’t look at this as selfish or as people just going after what they want for their own greedy reasons.  Many people want to persuade others to do meaningful work, to volunteer, to help…. or even to buy a product that can help the consumer.

My top 10 books this week are focused on those that blew my socks off!!!  These are books on persuasion that were true game changers and without a doubt taught me how to be more persuasive.

I saw definite results after reading each and every one of these books on persuasion.  I’ve read some several times!

My 10 Top Books on Persuasion

1. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

Cialdini talks about why people say “YES” and how to persuade them to get there. He introduces his 6 principles of influence that are worthy of a blog all on their own.  He’s a genius at persuasion which is why I’m placing that at #1 on by books on persuasion list.

 

2. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Ever hear of the “stickiness factor”?  The Heath brothers are all about it.  The break down great ideas people have had over the years and why you’ve heard of some and never heard of the others.  Through the telling of these stories, his 6 principles “stick” to your brain and definitely make you persuade differently in the future!

 

3. Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples

Caples has been in the advertising business for over 40 years and is a well-known expert in this field.  With that said, I was still impressed and surprised at how great a read this really was.  It’s not a book full of opinions.  He uses concrete examples of ad split tests he’s personally conducted and shows you the surprising results.  Love this book!  I learned loads!

 

4. Magical Worlds of the Wizard of Ads: Tools and Techniques for Profitable Persuasion by Roy H. Williams

Roy is a fellow Texan.  I promise has nothing to do with this recommendation.  However, it does come across in his straightforward, no nonsense approach regarding persuasion techniques.  I’m not alone in this opinion. CEOs of multi-billion dollar companies, universities, etc… seek his counsel.

 

5. Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Noah Goldstein

Goldstein believes that persuasion is more than just an art.  He sees it as an art and a science.  In this legendary book on persuasion, he shares 60 years of science on how to persuade people to say yes. Yes! reveals fifty simple but super effective strategies to make you much more persuasive in your professional and personal lives.

 

6. Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince by Roger Dooley

LOVE this book because Dooley focuses on the power of the subconscious and how it influences our buying decisions.  Neuroscience shows that 95% of our decisions are made by the subconscious.  So when you’re thinking of ways to persuade people, why focus on that tiny 5%?  This truly is one of the most powerful books on persuasion I’ve read.

 

7. The Culting of Brands by Doug Atkins

Atkins proposed that “few stronger emotions exist than the need to belong and make meaning”, and I have to admit I’ve seen this proven time and again.  His branding strategies on persuasion are used by companies like Harley Davidson.  It’s a pretty emotion-evoking title that doesn’t let you down.

 

8. Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator by Ryan Holiday

This book on persuasion is truly unique.  It’s written by a blogger who admittedly manipulates the media and shapes the news we choose to read.  Now that’s power.  He’s sharing these secrets because he’s tired on being a slave to the blog money, technology, etc.. He feels you can use these secrets for good!  Eye-opener!!

 

9. Words that Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear by Frank Luntz

Luntz’ book on persuasion focuses on the cleaver use of phrases and words.  Each chapter provides some serious meat.  I love the 21words and phrases for the 21st century. Luntz has helped dozens of Fortune 500 companies spin their message to be persuasive and appeal to the masses.

 

10. Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy

Good ole Ogilvy… man, is this guy a genius when it comes to persuasion!  In fact, this is one of 3 of his books on persuasion.  All 3 were best sellers!  Time magazine dubbed him as “The Wizard of This Industry”. This is one of the oldest books on this top 10 list of books on persuasion but it’s a great one.  His principles are timeless and very effective!

I have no doubt one or two of these top books on persuasion resonated with you, but the question is, “Will you read it?”  Was I persuasive enough for you to take action on one of these top 10 books?  Let me know by leaving a comment!

P.S. — Please like or share this post on facebook if you feel others could benefit from my 10 top books on persuasion list and check out this great article on how to be more persuasive by Fast Company!