Because I Said So!

We hear a lot about the words please and thank you. We know how cogent and efficacious these words can be.

And we know that words matter.

But, as described in a chapter titled "Which single word will strengthen your persuasion techniques?" guess what that word is?

Because.

Yes, because.

Let me explain before you think the parental saw "because I said so" is the way to go.

In Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Noah J. Goldstein, Steve J. Martin, and Robert B. Cialdini (his name gets bigger letters), the authors cite multiple experiments and studies on what gets people to go along with things.

It was fun to read. I breezed through the whole book, footnotes and all. Figured it might help me in work and in life.I can use help. Can't you?

Anyway, Chapter 35 out of the 50 scientifically-proven-ways chapters points out that a request accompanied by the word because, followed by an actual reason, brings more results (within limits) than not doing that.

This is not shocking.

In my own experience, I know that a resume or a proposal backed up by real data is powerful stuff.

How come no one told me this while dating in my teenage years?

I'l leave that one alone because it would cause me layers of embarrassment.

A Sticky Situation

It is not surprising to learn the persuasive power of Post-It sticky notes. (Yes, Post-It is a 3M brand name.)

Researchers found that more people responded to a survey if the request to fill it out was accompanied by a Post-It.

Better yet if the Post-It had a personal, handwritten message.

By extension, what other applications can we derive from this sort of personal attention?

Bloggers who engage their readers build a community of followers, right? (I'm not sure. You tell me.) Some very successful blogs allow for no comments at all.

So, does the blogger merely provide the illusion of being interactive with the blog's readers? Or does the blogger communicate with every visitor on the side, under the table, sotto voce, so to speak? Under the table. Sotto voce. I love the audio pronunciation thingy Merriam-Webster gives us, don't you? Sounds so lascivious and naughty. Stop smirking, you, sitting in front of the computer.

Just this once, I promise to personally respond to every person who comments, either directly or in the comments box.