39 Best Books for Persuasion for Sales and Marketing Teams Sarah Chan Rejante April 04, 2023
Influence and persuasion are the two most important ingredients in the recipe for a successful sales rep or marketer.
Knowing how to convince audiences to pay attention and take action is a skill that takes time to develop and refine, and catching someone's attention from the get-go is even harder.
That's why we've put together a handy list of books your sales and marketing teams can add to their toolbelts and read in their free time to learn how to become better persuaders.
Did you know that "reading increases emotional intelligence, and consequently, your career outlooks?"
This is a great way to contribute to your team's professional growth and boost your bottom line in the process.
Our list has something for everyone, from self-help classics like Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People to Nick Kolenda's cognitive psychology-backed influencing manual, Methods of Persuasion: How to Use Psychology to Influence Human Behavior.
What are you waiting for? Head down the path to effective persuasion by picking up one of the best books for persuasion below!
1. Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini, 2021
Image. Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini.
Looking to boost your conversions?
The expanded version of this classic book takes a fresh look at the factors that drive people's decision-making—especially in relation to sales and purchase behavior.
Dr. Robert Cialdini, an expert in the rapidly expanding field of influence and persuasion, teaches readers how to become skilled persuaders using his 6 universal principles of persuasion:
Reciprocity
Scarcity
Authority
Commitment and consistency
Liking
Consensus (or social proof)
In this updated edition, he introduces a new principle: unity.
Dr. Cialdini expertly uses relatable examples and memorable stories to teach readers the psychology behind why people say yes in business and everyday situations, as well as the applications for these insights.
This is a great book for marketing and sales professionals looking to understand the power of influence and persuasion on a deeper, scientific level.
$17.25, 320 pages
2. Influence: Science and Practice by Robert Cialdini, 1984
Image. Influence: Science and Practice by Robert Cialdini.
If you've searched for either version of Dr. Robert Cialdini's Influence books, you may wonder what the difference is between the two.
Here is an explanation from Influence at Work, the organization founded by Dr. Cialdini:
"Although both books are based on Dr. Cialdini’s years of research into the Six Principles of Influence, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion is an older edition.
There are more updated references, more recent examples, and more current stories in Influence: Science & Practice.
Also, there is more research in Influence: Science and Practice. Generally, Influence: Science and Practice is a more complete discussion of the topic.
We do not recommend purchasing both books.
This FAQ section refers to the original editions of the books, however, Dr. Cialdini has since released a new and expanded version of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.
If you're looking for the most current research on influence and persuasion, we recommend you purchase Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion as it contains new research, stories, and applications of Dr. Cialdini's Principles of Persuasion.
$22.48, 260 pages
3. Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade by Robert Cialdini, 2016
Image. Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade by Robert Cialdini.
Persuading people all comes down to effective communication, but what if you could change someone's mind before they even heard your message?
If you want to learn to be a master persuader, this is the book for you.
This New York Times bestseller from Dr. Robert Cialdini, the most cited social psychologist of our time, teaches you the art of "pre-suasion," the proactive practice of preparing audiences to be receptive to a message before they hear it.
Don't worry. "Pre-suasion" doesn't require you to change your audiences' attitudes, beliefs, or experiences.
The key, Dr. Cialdini explains, is to redirect your audience's focus.
Marketing and sales professionals will love the specific techniques included in this book to help improve your online marketing campaigns, influence people, and get your targeted audience primed for persuasion.
$13.99, 432 pages
4. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, 1936
Image. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
How can you reach your maximum potential?
How to Win Friends and Influence People is a timeless classic that offers practical, rock-solid advice on how to climb the ladder to success, both in your business and everyday life.
Dale Carnegie's books have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and are one of the most popular self-improvement books of all time.
Although many of his principles are common knowledge today, salespeople can still learn a thing or two about how to win friends and influence people from this book.
As a former top-performing sales rep himself, Carnegie's strategies teach readers to be persuasive and likable—must-have qualities for every salesperson.
Follow Carnegie's strategies and you won't just win friends, you'll also become an expert at building meaningful customer relationships.
$9.26, 288 pages
5. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie, 1944
Image. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie.
The impact of worrying on mental and physical health is often overlooked.
Dale Carnegie, the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, shares fundamental facts to know about worry and discusses strategies to overcome it.
Learn about analyzing the characteristics of your worries, techniques to improve your mental attitude to prevent future worrying, ways to keep your energy and spirits high, and more in this celebrated self-improvement book.
This is a great book for sales and marketing professionals looking to strengthen their mental toughness and cultivate a positive attitude.
$5.50, 358 pages
6. Methods of Persuasion: How to Use Psychology to Influence Human Behavior by Nick Kolenda, 2013
Image. Methods of Persuasion by Nick Kolenda.
Do you want to know how to influence people's thoughts, emotions, and behavior?
Backed by the principles of cognitive psychology, Nick Kolenda teaches readers how to subconsciously influence people's thoughts using a 7-step METHODS persuasion process:
Step 1: Mold Their Perception Step 2: Elicit Congruent Attitudes Step 3: Trigger Social Pressure Step 4: Habituate Your Message Step 5: Optimize Your Message Step 6: Drive Their Momentum Step 7: Sustain Their Compliance
He's even demonstrated METHODS' effectiveness at his "mind reading" stage shows, which have been seen by over a million people.
While the METHODS process is proven to be effective in everyday life, it can also be applied to your sales and marketing copy.
If you want to influence people, we recommend you structure your content flow to match these steps.
$13.95, 240 pages
7. Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Noah J. Goldstein, Robert B. Cialdini, Steve J. Martin, 2008
Image. Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Noah J. Goldstein, Robert B. Cialdini, and Steve J. Martin.
"What one word can you start using today to increase your persuasiveness by more than fifty percent?"
Learn the answer to this burning question and more in this New York Times bestseller, based on 60 years of rigorous scientific research into the psychology of persuasion.
Co-written by a bestselling expert on influence, Dr. Robert Cialdini, this book shares 50 strategies that will make you more persuasive at work and in your personal life, too!
With advice like, "An ounce of personalized extra effort is worth a pound of persuasion," this book will help your marketing and sales teams write better copy, make more effective cold calls, and close more deals.
$9.89, 258 pages
Read More: 5 Things to Do on Every Sales Call. Get introduced to better sales tactics through this quick read!
8. To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others by Daniel H. Pink, 2012
Image. To Sell Is Human by Daniel H. Pink.
“The purpose of a pitch isn’t necessarily to move others immediately to adopt your idea. The purpose is to offer something so compelling that it begins a conversation, brings the other person in as a participant, and eventually arrives at an outcome that appeals to both of you.”—Daniel H. Pink
If you're in the business of moving people, whether it's toward a new idea, new action, or new purchase, you should definitely pick up this book.
Daniel Pink offers a refreshing perspective on the art and science of selling. He draws on his deep knowledge of social science and human nature for his counterintuitive insights.
This is an excellent read for marketing and sales professionals looking to learn more about influence and persuasion from a unique angle as they apply it to their own life—both personally and professionally.
$14.91, 272 pages
9. To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others by Daniel H. Pink (30 Minute Expert Series) by Daniel H. Pink, 2013
Image. To Sell Is Human ... in 30 Minutes by Daniel H. Pink.
Marketing and sales teams are busy, we know!
If your team members are struggling to find the time to get their noses in a good book, we have a slightly less time-consuming solution for you.
This 30-minute expert series version of Daniel Pink's To Sell Is Human provides a comprehensive summary of the book's key points.
Think of it like the SparkNotes of a self-improvement book!
$36.43, 36 pages
10. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, 2007
Image. Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.
Why do some ideas survive while others never come to fruition? Most of us have brilliant ideas, but getting them to "stick" is a lot harder than people think.
In this instant classic and New York Times bestseller, Chip and Dan Heath explain the different applications of theories and principles, such as the Velcro Theory of Memory, that help make your ideas "stickier."
They also explore the 6 traits of sticky ideas that power every great message, no matter how big or small.
If you've ever wondered why fake news prevails while important ideas struggle to gain traction, we highly recommend checking out this book.
Whether you're drafting marketing copy or pitching a new product, Made to Stick's rules will help your ideas thrive and your messages stick.
$15.07, 291 page
11. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely, 2008
Image. Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely.
If you're interested in diving deeper into behavioral economics, this is the book for you.
In Predictably Irrational, MIT behavioral economist Dan Ariely breaks down how "invisible" and "seemingly illogical" forces such as emotions, expectations, and social norms can impact human behavior and reasoning.
Although we are highly aware of the simple mistakes we make in our everyday life, we still often make the same types of mistakes on a regular basis, leading Ariely to believe that we are systematically and predictably irrational.
Knowing the true drivers behind people's decision-making is essential for marketing and sales professionals.
This is a great book to help your team build a well-rounded understanding of human behavior and make more informed decisions in their work.
$11.99, 247 pages
12. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher, William L. Ury, and Bruce Patton, 1981
Image. Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher, William L. Ury, and Bruce Patton.
What's the trick to successful negotiation?
Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton answer this question and more in Getting to Yes, the primary business textbook that teaches readers how to negotiate and resolve personal and professional disputes without getting angry or taken advantage of.
Getting to Yes is based on the work of the Harvard Negotiation Project, a group that deals with issues of negotiation and conflict resolution, and has helped over a million people improve their negotiation skills.
This is a must-read for your team members' professional development and a great tool to boost your sales reps' negotiation skills.
Read More: Question-Based Selling. Discover the best questions to ask clients to close sales!
$13.79, 240 pages
13. Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions by Guy Kawasaki, 2011
Image. Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions by Guy Kawasaki.
"In business and personal interactions, your goal is not merely to get what you want but to bring about a voluntary, enduring, and delightful change in other people."—Guy Kawasaki
What does it mean to enchant your audiences?
According to Guy Kawasaki, it has nothing to do with manipulating people.
Instead, in this book, Kawasaki teaches readers how to turn difficult decisions in their favor and persuade people using one of the most effective methods of all: enchantment.
This book draws from Kawasaki's experiences during his tenure at Apple, as well as his decades as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist, to break down the tactics needed to launch your very own enchantment campaign.
If you want to change the hearts, minds, and actions of your audience, we highly recommend reading this book!
$10.45, 211 pages
14. Win Your Case: How to Present, Persuade, and Prevail—Every Place, Every Time by Gerry Spence, 2005
Image. Win Your Case by Gerry Spence.
Want to know the secrets to persuade people? Who better to learn from than a successful trial lawyer like Gerry Spence?
Spence has never lost a criminal case and hasn't lost a civil jury trial since 1969. With a track record like that, he definitely knows a thing or two about influence and persuasion!
In this book, you'll walk through every step of the trial experience as Spence explains his many successful courtroom methods to win the final argument.
Whether you're a lawyer or layperson, this is essential reading for people from every walk of life—in the courtroom, at the office, and out in the world!
$17.99, 287 pages
15. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, 2011
Image. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.
There's a reason why Thinking, Fast and Slow is a major New York Times bestseller and was selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best nonfiction books of the year.
In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a fascinating journey through the inner workings of the human mind.
He breaks down the two systems that drive the way we think—System 1, which is "fast, intuitive, and emotional," and System 2, which is "slower, more deliberative, and more logical."
By understanding how these two systems interact and drive our judgment and decision-making, your marketing and sales teams can learn to better assess situations, and in turn, make better business decisions.
Check out this short book review for more details:
$11.29, 499 pages
16. What Every Body Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People by Joe Navarro and Marvin Karlins, 2008
Image. What Every Body Is Saying by Joe Navarro and Marvin Karlins.
Learn about nonverbal intelligence from the best of the best.
Joe Navarro is a former FBI counterintelligence officer and recognized expert in nonverbal behavior and has created the ultimate guide to "speed-reading" people.
From "ancient survival instincts that drive body language" to "simple nonverbals that instantly establish trust," by the end of this book, you'll be able to better understand the nonverbal cues that can make or break any situation.
This is an essential read for any field sales rep looking to qualify leads faster and close more deals.
$10.99, 250 pages
17. Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion by George J. Thompson and Jerry B. Jenkins, 1993
Image. Verbal Judo by George J. Thompson and Jerry B. Jenkins.
Did you know you could talk your way to a black belt?
Well, not exactly.
Verbal Judo is the martial art of the mind and mouth.
Rather than take an opponent head-on in an argument, this method of persuasion uses deflection and redirection to better resolve conflicts.
George Thompson and Jerry Jenkins advise readers to "engage people with empathy" and "avoid the most common conversational disasters" using their strategies for success.
With this book, you'll be able to improve your communication skills, resolve conflicts with ease, and be prepared for any verbal encounter.
This is a great read for your sales reps, especially those involved in high-level negotiation, as well as your customer service team.
$10.39, 222 pages
18. Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal by Oren Klaff, 2011
Image. Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal by Oren Klaff.
Author and sales expert Oren Klaff has an impressive track record.
He's raised more than $400 million over the past 13 years and now, for the first time, he has compiled his pitching expertise into a single must-read guide.
According to Klaff, "Better method, more money. Much better method, much more money."
The better method is Klaff's exclusive STRONG method of pitching, backed by the latest findings in neuroeconomics.
This is essential reading throughout the tech world and across the sales industry.
If you want to transform your pitches for the better, this is your cue to pick up a copy for your sales team!
$18.64, 240 pages
19. Way of the Wolf: Straight Line Selling: Master the Art of Persuasion, Influence, and Success by Jordan Belfort, 2017
Image. Way of the Wolf by Jordan Belfort.
Learn from the real "Wolf of Wall Street" and become a sales-closing rockstar by reading Jordan Belfort's personal playbook, Way of the Wolf.
In this book, Belfort shares the step-by-step sales and persuasion system that has helped him not only create massive wealth for himself, his sales team, and his clients but also persuade people to do anything and everything he asks.
If you're in the business of selling, this is definitely the book for you.
With Belfort's strategies, you're guaranteed to close more deals and grow your bottom line so you, too, can enjoy the fruits of your labor!
$8.99, 257 pages
20. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger, 2013
Image. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger.
Want your product or idea to catch on?
Wharton marketing professor Jonah Berger draws from groundbreaking social science research and powerful stories to help readers understand the impact of word-of-mouth and social transmission.
Think of the last viral video you watched or the most recent product you were recommended.
There's a good reason why these things became contagious. In this book, Berger analyzes the 6 universal principles that contribute to making something catch on.
Contagious is a New York Times bestseller and was named Best Marketing Book of 2014 by the American Marketing Association.
$11.69, 210 pages
21. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, 1998
Image. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
What can you learn from over 3,000 years of the history of power?
Robert Greene drew 48 essential laws from the philosophies of some of history's greatest minds including Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as from the lives of important figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T. Barnum.
The goal of these laws is total domination, and Greene recommends this book for "anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control."
With laws like "Never Outshine the Master” and "Enter Action with Boldness," this book is a provocative take on the dynamics of influence and power.
$13.86, 452 pages
22. How to Write a Good Advertisement: A Short Course in Copywriting by Victor O. Schwab, 1942
Image. How to Write a Good Advertisement by Victor O. Schwab.
Learn to write persuasive, hard-hitting copy using the strategies offered in Victor Schwab's How to Write a Good Advertisement.
While the book was first published over 80 years ago, many of the principles still hold true today and are a great resource for marketing copywriters who want to become masters of their trade.
Think of the learnings in this book as your foundation—fundamentals that you can build upon to create more effective advertising and copy.
$10.95, 258 pages
23. Words That Change Minds: The 14 Patterns for Mastering the Language of Influence by Shelle Rose Charvet, 1995
Image. Words That Change Minds by Shelle Rose Charvet.
How can you get what you want without manipulating others? By using the right words and matching your language to your audiences!
In this book, Shelle Rose Charvet teaches readers to become master communicators by breaking down persuasion psychology and providing strategies to help them spark interest and enthusiasm.
This book provides practical applications for sales and marketing teams to help them achieve maximum impact in their communications—both in the office and in their mass communications.
$19.00, 361 pages
24. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As if Your Life Depended on It by Christopher Voss, 2016
Image. Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss.
Negotiating skills are a critical requirement for any FBI hostage negotiator.
After a successful career talking down bank robbers, terrorists, and gang leaders in high-stakes situations, Christopher Voss has turned to a more peaceful career as an author, sharing his universally applicable negotiation expertise with the world.
Learn about the 9 key principles that helped Voss and his colleagues successfully resolve the most sensitive negotiations.
If you're a sales rep looking for a competitive edge, this is a great place to start!
$15.68, 274 pages
25. The Secret of Selling Anything: A road map to success for the salesman… who is not aggressive, who is not a “smooth talker,” and who is not an extrovert, Harry Browne, 2008
Image. The Secret of Selling Anything by Harry Browne.
"This book will prove to you, I hope, that the stereotyped image of the ‘born salesman’ is a mistake."—Harry Browne
Tired of the typical clichés and unrealistic scenarios in every sales book?
Harry Browne's counterintuitive insights will have you questioning everything you've ever learned about selling—for the better.
Skip the aggressive sales tactics, over-enthusiasm, and flamboyance you were told you needed to be a great salesperson.
This book will teach you to sell more effectively without needing to remake your personality.
Introverted sales reps will especially love the proven sales strategies and tactics Browne shares in this book.
$9.99, 177 pages
26. Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion by Jay Heinrichs, 2007
Image. Thank You for Arguing by Jay Heinrichs.
What lessons about influence and persuasion can you learn from the Simpsons?
Jay Heinrichs uses his witty and cheeky sense of humor to tell the tales of characters, public icons, historical figures, and more to teach readers how to use rhetoric to craft the perfect argument.
If you're looking for a more light-hearted take on strategies to influence people, you'll definitely want to check out this book!
$20.46, 336 pages
27. Impossible to Ignore: Creating Memorable Content to Influence Decisions by Carmen Simon, 2016
Image. Impossible to Ignore: Creating Memorable Content to Influence Decisions by Carmen Simon.
"Audiences forget up to 90 percent of what you communicate."
As effective communicators, it's our job to make that 10 percent that does remember count.
Carmen Simon draws on the latest findings in neuroscience and cognitive psychology to create a practical step-by-step guide on how to influence people's thoughts and memory.
This book will help you take control of your audiences' content recall by creating memorable, easy-to-understand messages that people will remember.
If you're a content writer, marketer, sales rep, or social media manager, this is a book you won't want to miss.
$22.17, 288 pages
28. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink, 2009
Image. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink.
Does the carrot-on-a-stick method really work?
Daniel Pink thinks otherwise.
In this provocative and persuasive bestseller, Pink argues that while rewards are effective, the true best motivators come from satisfying innate human needs such as autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
Pink draws on four decades of scientific research on human behavior to bridge the gap between science and business and transform how we view motivation and its drivers.
Sales reps and marketers, take notes!
The lessons in this book will help you understand your audiences on a deeper level and become better persuaders.
$9.49, 242 pages
29. Persuasion: The Art of Influencing People by James Borg, 2004
Image. Persuasion: The Art of Influencing People by James Borg.
We use our persuasion skills every day, but does that mean we're using them effectively?
James Borg uncovers the secrets of how to influence people using a set of golden behavioral rules that will boost your persuasiveness and make you a better negotiator.
Borg also teaches the importance of self-awareness, introspection, and being aware of what's happening around you in order to successfully influence people.
If you're looking to gain a competitive advantage at work, check out Persuasion and learn useful tools for effectively influencing your clients and colleagues.
$25. 56, 267 pages
30. Maximum Influence: The 12 Universal Laws of Power Persuasion by Kurt W. Mortensen, 2004
Image. Maximum Influence: The 12 Universal Laws of Power Persuasion by Kurt W. Mortensen.
Success in every aspect of your life depends heavily on your persuasion skills.
That's why Kurt Mortensen has compiled a set of 12 universal laws of persuasion, backed by scientific research and real-world studies, to help you grow your influence and persuasion skills.
In this book, you'll learn how to change the minds of prospects who are stuck in your funnel and convince them to buy.
This is a worthwhile read for any sales rep or marketer!
$12.14, 240 pages
31. Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers with Neuromarketing by Roger Dooley, 2011
Image. Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers with Neuromarketing by Roger Dooley.
What if you could use science to close a deal?
Brainfluence explains how to attract new customers by applying neuroscience and behavior research to determine their decision patterns.
Also known as neuromarketing, this technique involves tracking the brain's response to cognitive and sensory marketing stimuli.
Many well-known brands and companies have taken this approach to help tailor their marketing strategy to specific consumer and demographic groups.
This book is a fascinating read for marketers and sales reps who are interested in taking a scientific approach to their processes.
Watch this video introduction to Brainfluence:
$24.95, 304 pages
32. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg, 2012
Image. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg.
Transforming habits can transform your success.
In The Power of Habit, award-winning New York Times business reporter Charles Duhigg digs deep into the nitty-gritty of habits—how they form, why they exist, and how to change them—and shines a light on our potential for transformation.
Duhigg uses numerous case studies featuring recognizable figures such as Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, civil rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr., NFL teams, and even the CEO of Starbucks, to explore the impact habits had on their successes.
The key to meaningful change in humans is understanding how habits work.
With this information, you can reach your goals faster and build more successful marketing campaigns.
$9.98, 375 pages
33. Fascinate: Your 7 Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation by Sally Hogshead, 2010
Image. Fascinate: Your 7 Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation by Sally Hogshead.
One of the most powerful ways to influence behavior is through fascination.
In the era of social media, getting noticed is a challenge when you only have seconds to compete.
The key to getting ahead of the noise is to become irresistible to consumers. Using new and exciting software, like Glass.io, is a great way to fascinate your customers, especially when combined with the information in this book.
Sally Hogshead examines the principles, or 7 languages, behind fascination and how they can help brands and companies attract attention.
Marketers and sales reps can use these principles to help capture audiences, influence the choices they make, and create more fascinating content to drive conversions.
$36.32, 288 pages
34. Propaganda by Edward L. Bernays, 1928
Image. Propaganda by Edward L. Bernays.
Edward Bernays was a seminal, yet controversial figure in the history of public relations.
Prior to becoming an author, he worked with the U.S. Committee on Public Information (CPI) to create effective wartime propaganda during World War I.
After the war, he became an outspoken advocate for propaganda as a method of political and corporate manipulation of the general public.
This eerie manual for manipulation of the masses provides a reminder to readers about the importance of ethics as they apply to the influence and persuasion of the people.
This is a frightening, yet eye-opening read for anyone who participates in the business of persuasion.
$13.46, 168 pages
35. Persuasion: The Art of Getting What You Want by Dave Lakhani, 2005
Image. Persuasion: The Art of Getting What You Want by Dave Lakhani.
"Did you know that the outcome of most persuasive events is determined before you ever say a word?"
David Lakhani teaches the secrets of some of the most powerful persuaders in the world in this step-by-step guide to effective persuasion.
This is a great way to learn the basics of influence and persuasion in an easy-to-digest manner.
The information in this book is supported by hard science, including the opinions of neuroscientists, psychologists, and influence professionals, as well as real-world examples of persuasion.
Find out how to walk the delicate line between persuasion and manipulation in order to become a master persuader.
$24.57, 227 pages
36. Communication Skills Training: A Practical Guide to Improving Your Social Intelligence, Presentation, Persuasion, and Public Speaking by Ian Tuhovsky, 2015
Image. Communication Skills Training by Ian Tuhovsky.
Looking to improve your social intelligence?
Look no further than Ian Tuhovsky's comprehensive guide to becoming a more effective communicator.
This is an excellent self-improvement book for readers hoping to say ‘goodbye’ to miscommunication and ‘hello’ to better verbal and nonverbal intelligence.
As sales reps and marketers, we're always looking for the best thing to say.
This book will help make you a master of communication so you can attract more leads and seamlessly move them down the pipeline.
$16.99, 159 pages
37. The Business of Belief: How the World's Best Marketers, Designers, Salespeople, Coaches, Fundraisers, Educators, Entrepreneurs, and Other Leaders Get Us to Believe by Tom Asacker, 2013
Image. The Business of Belief by Tom Asacker.
Readers call this book "profound" for its teachings on motivation, influence, and persuasion.
Tom Asacker shares invaluable insights into the art of influence and teaches readers the skills required to understand people and motivate them to take action.
This thought-provoking book will teach you how to persuade people by tapping into their beliefs, one of the biggest factors that shape human behavior.
Marketers and sales reps will love this compelling guide to succeeding in business by understanding our audiences' beliefs, as well as our own.
$8.09, 138 pages
38. The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene, 2001
Image. The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene.
Hear captivating stories of master seducers throughout history in this indispensable primer on persuasion.
Robert Greene taps into the lives of some household names like Cleopatra, John F. Kennedy, and Andy Warhol, as well as well-known thinkers like Freud and Einstein, to examine their seductive tactics, triumphs, and failures.
The Art of Seduction provides useful lessons on how to get what you want through the power of effective persuasion, as well as protect yourself from others who wish to persuade you in return.
These universal principles are also highly-applicable to business contexts including sales and marketing.
$22.49, 466 pages
39. Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator by Ryan Holiday, 2012
Image. Trust Me, I'm Lying by Ryan Holiday.
As a professional media manipulator, Holiday admits to contributing to the dishonest practices of controlling and distorting news blogs.
In the era of fake news, Holiday believes it's time people knew the truth about the media.
In this tell-all book, readers will get a first-hand look at what it's like to work in the media industry and the secrets they don't want you to know.
There are also some useful takeaways in this book for marketers involved in media relations.
$15.16, 259 pages
In closing
Are you ready to win friends, influence people, and close more deals?
Whether you're looking to kill time on your lunch break or you're seeking professional guidance to improve your job skills, you're bound to find an interesting read in our comprehensive list of the best books for persuasion.
Books are an inexpensive, yet highly effective way to improve your skills or learn new ones, at your own pace.
If you're looking for a convenient, flexible, and affordable way to grow professionally, we highly recommend that you check out the books we've listed above!
Sarah Chan Rejante is a digital marketer and social media coordinator based in Toronto, Canada. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Humber College and is passionate about marketing and getting in front of customers in the right way.
About Glass.io
With Glass.io, you can reach across the screen and help visitors make a buying decision. See exactly how visitors use your website in real-time, trigger a notification to the right sales rep when they show buying intent, and start a personalized conversation (chat or video) at the perfect moment.
Plug your leaky sales pipeline by engaging with your website visitors while you have their attention. Sign up for an account here.