Covert Persuasion: Psychological Tactics and Tricks to Win the Game [Hardcover]

Kevin Hogan (Author), James Speakman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2006

Praise for Covert Persuasion:

"This book is a treasure trove of ideas you can use to turn a 'no' into a 'yes' almost instantly-in any sales situation."
-Brian Tracy, speaker and author of Create Your Own Future and Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

"Hogan is the master of persuasion. I urge you to persuade yourself to buy this book and everything he's ever written and recorded. It will help you understand yourself, understand others, and succeed. This information is bankable."
-Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The Sales Bible, Little Red Book of Selling, and Little Red Book of Sales Answers

"There's more wisdom in this book than in 500 pages on the same subject. Whether you need to persuade your lover, your spouse, your boss, your clients, your friends, or yourself, this powerhouse collection of mind tricks and secrets will give you the upper hand. In today's competitive world, this is the persuasion wizard's manual you need to control circumstances and get what you want."
-Dr. Joe Vitale, author of Life's Missing Instruction Manual and The Attractor Factor

"When you read Hogan's writing, it feels like you're getting sage advice from a master. Would you like other people to decide on their own (or so they think) to go along with your every whim? Then this is the book you've been looking for."
-David Garfinkel, author of Advertising Headlines That Make You Rich

"There is more practical information on the dynamics of selling and communication in these pages than you could ever acquire in a lifetime on your own through trial and error. Take advantage of the authors' wisdom and read this book!"
-Todd D. Bramson, Certified Financial Planner and author of Real Life Financial Planning

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

When we make decisions we like to think we weigh the options carefully, look at all the possibilities, and make the best choice based on a rational examination of the facts. But in truth, much of our decision making happens on a subconscious level based on feelings we might not even be aware of. Understanding and managing those subconscious feelings is the key to the art of persuasion.

By observing and predicting human behavior, we can learn to react and direct behavior in others with the right kinds of words and body language. If you want to learn how to convince people to buy your product, contribute to your cause, or vote for your candidate, this book has the answers. Covert Persuasion syn-thesizes the latest research in psychology, linguistics, sales tactics, and human communication to reveal the most effective methods for consistently and effectively persuading anyone of virtually anything.

Covert Persuasion sounds like a secret operation because it is; when you master these techniques and put them to use, no one will even notice your tactics. But that doesn't mean these techniques are sneaky or underhanded. They aren't! You aren't tricking anyone; you're simply using all your abilities to encourage them to make the choice you want them to make. It's not unfair or underhanded—it's just powerful, practical, and effective.

If you work in sales, Covert Persuasion will arm you with new skills and techniques you can put to use every day to dramatically increase your commissions. And if you don't work in sales, you can still use these tactics to convince colleagues, subordinates, and supervisors to help you meet your goals and get things done on a daily basis. Even outside of the office, persuasion is a vital skill everyone should have.

This reliable resource will help you with all your persuasion efforts, in every situation. Dip into it for fresh ideas and new techniques or use it to sharpen the skills you already have. For salespeople, Covert Persuasion will help you increase your sales almost immediately. No matter what you do for a living, this book will help you do it better. Not convinced yet? Look inside and you will be . . .

From the Back Cover

Praise for Covert Persuasion:

"This book is a treasure trove of ideas you can use to turn a 'no' into a 'yes' almost instantly—in any sales situation."
—Brian Tracy, speaker and author of Create Your Own Future and Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

"Hogan is the master of persuasion. I urge you to persuade yourself to buy this book and everything he's ever written and recorded. It will help you understand yourself, understand others, and succeed. This information is bankable."
—Jeffrey Gitomer, author of The Sales Bible, Little Red Book of Selling, and Little Red Book of Sales Answers

"There's more wisdom in this book than in 500 pages on the same subject. Whether you need to persuade your lover, your spouse, your boss, your clients, your friends, or yourself, this powerhouse collection of mind tricks and secrets will give you the upper hand. In today's competitive world, this is the persuasion wizard's manual you need to control circumstances and get what you want."
—Dr. Joe Vitale, author of Life's Missing Instruction Manual and The Attractor Factor

"When you read Hogan's writing, it feels like you're getting sage advice from a master. Would you like other people to decide on their own (or so they think) to go along with your every whim? Then this is the book you've been looking for."
—David Garfinkel, author of Advertising Headlines That Make You Rich

"There is more practical information on the dynamics of selling and communication in these pages than you could ever acquire in a lifetime on your own through trial and error. Take advantage of the authors' wisdom and read this book!"
—Todd D. Bramson, Certified Financial Planner and author of Real Life Financial Planning

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470051418
• ISBN-13: 978-0470051412
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Negotiating
  • #93 in Books > Business & Investing > Marketing & Sales > Sales & Selling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

319 of 331 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars simply a rewrite of the Psychology of Persuasion, December 1, 2007

By 

David Relyea (Glendale, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Covert Persuasion: Psychological Tactics and Tricks to Win the Game (Hardcover)

This book, although well written and well laid out, is simply a rehash of Hogan's earlier book, "The Psychology of Persuasion". This book introduces literally nothing new, simply reorganizing the material.

If you own the Psychology of Persuasion, do not purchase this book. Otherwise, definitely buy one or the other.

(As an aside, I find it amusing that Hogan and his publisher believe the key to sales to be re-introducing the same material in different works, rather than creating "new editions". They may be right, but as someone who almost bought two "identical" books, it's a little annoying!)

121 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars how to sell, January 9, 2007

By 

Officer Ben (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Covert Persuasion: Psychological Tactics and Tricks to Win the Game (Hardcover)

I was thinking that this book was going to be a little more about getting compliance out of individuals, along the lines of verbal judo. However, I found the book to be mostly about sales, and most concepts related to salesmen. Some of the concepts could be applied to getting compliance out of non-compliant individuals, but it seemed like the main focus was how to sell a product.

110 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Persuasion Toolbox...with Instructions and Examples, September 18, 2006

By 

Philip Hamilton (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Covert Persuasion: Psychological Tactics and Tricks to Win the Game (Hardcover)

I like this book because it focuses on practical tools that work. You'll recognize some strategies and tactics, others will be new to you, and a number will surprise you. Hogan goes beyond the worn platitudes and shows what research has shown to work in persuasion. "Covert Persuasion" is packed with examples to show how you can put these tools into practice.

I love chapters 8 and 9. We've all heard about the importance of using stories to persuade. And that's correct. But they need to be the right stories with the necessary ingredients. And they need to be told the right way. How can we avoid the mistakes that so many of us make in storytelling?

Chapter 8 gives you 20 keys to using covert persuasion in story. You'll then read stories that grab you...because they illustrate those 20 keys. You'll be able to tell stories that move others in the direction you want.

Chapter 9 shows how to use questions most effectively in persuasion. It's much more than making a list of questions and plowing through them. Which questions should we use in what parts of the persuasion process? This chapter gives excellent information and examples.

The last chapter gives you four worksheets to quickly choose ways to deliver your next message most effectively.

Anyone I can think of...whether or not they formally consider themselves as "salespeople"...will earn a high return by using these tools in daily interactions with others.