The Write Way to Get Your Way (Thanks, Aristotle)
The Rule of Thump Got younger siblings? When you were a kid, I’ll bet you used the Rule of Thump: If you wanted something your
Persuasive business writing: Commitment and consistency
To influence, get ’em committed. How are your New-Year resolutions going? Today’s ‘influence’ tip holds the key to you achieving them, and to changing your readers’ minds.
The power of give & take: Cialdini’s ‘Reciprocity’
This is the fifth in a six-part series on influence and persuasion, loosely based on Dr Robert Cialdini’s work. This rule is one of the most
Write Like a Boss: Cialdini’s ‘Authority’
This is the fourth in our six-part series on influence and persuasion, loosely based on Dr Robert Cialdini’s work Here’s how you can use ‘Authority’ to
How to leverage social proof (consensus)
Follower Frenzy, or Social Proof? This is the third in a six-part series on influence and persuasion, loosely based on Dr Robert Cialdini’s work. If you’re
Using ‘scarcity’ in persuasive writing
This is the second in a six-part series on influence and persuasion, loosely based on Dr Robert Cialdini’s work. Cialdini describes an experiment in which two
Should leaders be feared or loved?
Research shows that leaders will be much more effective if they connect first with their followers, rather than demonstrate competence first, which can alienate them.
So when writing, it’s critical to generate what acclaimed social scientist, Dr Robert Cialdini, calls ‘liking.’ This post offers several ways writers can help readers like them more.
Ten Commandments of business writing
Don’t send your readers to Hard-to-Read-Hell!
Here are our Ten Commandments for praise-worthy business writing (some will surprise you).
Influence through “Scarcity”
Social researcher Cialdini tells of an experiment in which two groups of people were asked to rate choc-chip biscuits. Group A took theirs from a
Influence through “Social Proof”
Feeling sheepish? Your readers are. Well, they (like all of us) can act like sheep when making decisions. Ever notice yourself checking what others are