There's a Customer Born Every Minute: P.T. Barnum's Amazing 10 "Rings of Power" for Creating Fame, Fortune, and a Business Empire Today -- Guaranteed! [Hardcover]

Joe Vitale (Author), Jeffrey Gitomer (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 14, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0471784621 | ISBN-13: 978-0471784623 | Edition: Revised and Updated Edition

Praise for THERE'S A CUSTOMER BORN EVERY MINUTE

"Joe Vitale has created an entertaining, educational, and motivational manual-with the help of P.T. Barnum-that belongs in every hotel room alongside the Bible. Then, guests might read his inspirational book first, and give thanks to God for this worthy discovery."
—Alan Abel, media hoaxer, author, consultantand lecturer on "Using Your Wits to Win"

"If you're going to excel in business, learning about a showman like Barnum and applying some of the lessons he taught can give you valuable insights. Joe Vitale has captured ten of these lessons (he calls them 'rings of power') and shows how you can apply them in a way that will open your eyes and stretch your imagination. There's a lot of money-making and fun wisdom here."
—Joseph Sugarman, Chairman, BluBlocker Corporation

"Finally someone does it!!! Joe Vitale reveals the REAL P.T. Barnum! Vitale highlights the outrageously astute marketing of Barnum. Barnum's driving belief certainly was that there IS a customer 'born' every minute. You will glean a number of useful 'new' marketing ideas that you can instantly use in your business. And you will learn about one of the savviest marketers of a time gone by. Fun, exciting, insightful, and packed with ideas! Genius!"
—Kevin Hogan, author of The Science of Influence and The Psychology of Persuasion

"I love this book. If you'd like to know the real story about one of the most fascinating characters in American history, told by a master storyteller (and the person who probably knows more about him than anyone else), read this book. Barnum is not the guy portrayed by the legend attached to his name. He is much, much more, and Vitale tells his story with the can't-put-it-down passion and excitement he's become so well known for."
—Bill Harris, President, Centerpointe Research Institute

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Famous entrepreneur and showman P.T. Barnum is perhaps best known today for having said, "There's a sucker born every minute." But, surprisingly, Barnum never said such a thing. In fact, he believed that there was a customer born every minute, and this belief—that everyone was a potential buyer—was just one of the many solid business principles that led him to a long and successful career.

There's a Customer Born Every Minute reveals the lost wisdom of this great business pioneer. Barnum was much more than a showman; he was a dedicated businessman and entrepreneur with a razor-sharp mind. In this delightful and absorbing new edition, Joe Vitale reveals the secrets of Barnum's success and shares the ten key business practices that Barnum developed and lived by.

But this is much more than a retelling of old business wisdom. Barnum's business principles were straightforward, effective, and timeless; and now Vitale shows you how to apply and adapt those key principles to your own business. Whether you run an established company or plan to start your own entrepreneurial venture, these principles will help you achieve your goals. What worked yesterday still works today, even in the current fast-paced and highly competitive environment.

Vitale reveals Barnum's genius for making money and highlights the tactics he used throughout his career as a newspaperman, politician, entre?preneur, promoter, and finally, as a showman. Plus, this new edition includes even more rare material by and about Barnum, including advertisements, photos, letters, an in-depth interview with the man himself, and the entire text of his famous speech, "The Art of Money Getting."

Far more entertaining than the typical business book, There's a Customer Born Every Minute is both a practical resource packed with true business wisdom and a fascinating look at one of the greatest characters—and one of the greatest business minds—in American history.

From the Back Cover

Praise for THERE'S A CUSTOMER BORN EVERY MINUTE

"Joe Vitale has created an entertaining, educational, and motivational manual—with the help of P.T. Barnum—that belongs in every hotel room alongside the Bible. Then, guests might read his inspirational book first, and give thanks to God for this worthy discovery."
—Alan Abel, media hoaxer, author, consultantand lecturer on "Using Your Wits to Win"

"If you're going to excel in business, learning about a showman like Barnum and applying some of the lessons he taught can give you valuable insights. Joe Vitale has captured ten of these lessons (he calls them 'rings of power') and shows how you can apply them in a way that will open your eyes and stretch your imagination. There's a lot of money-making and fun wisdom here."
—Joseph Sugarman, Chairman, BluBlocker Corporation

"Finally someone does it!!! Joe Vitale reveals the REAL P.T. Barnum! Vitale highlights the outrageously astute marketing of Barnum. Barnum's driving belief certainly was that there IS a customer 'born' every minute. You will glean a number of useful 'new' marketing ideas that you can instantly use in your business. And you will learn about one of the savviest marketers of a time gone by. Fun, exciting, insightful, and packed with ideas! Genius!"
—Kevin Hogan, author of The Science of Influence and The Psychology of Persuasion

"I love this book. If you'd like to know the real story about one of the most fascinating characters in American history, told by a master storyteller (and the person who probably knows more about him than anyone else), read this book. Barnum is not the guy portrayed by the legend attached to his name. He is much, much more, and Vitale tells his story with the can't-put-it-down passion and excitement he's become so well known for."
—Bill Harris, President, Centerpointe Research Institute

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; Revised and Updated Edition edition (April 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471784621
• ISBN-13: 978-0471784623
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Customer Service

More About the Author

Joe Vitale is President of Hypnotic Marketing, Inc., a marketing consulting firm. He has been called the "The Buddha of the Internet" for his combination of spirituality and marketing acumen. His professional clients include the Red Cross, PBS, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, and many other small and large businesses. His other books include The Attractor Factor, There's a Customer Born Every Minute, and Life's Missing Instruction Manual, all from Wiley. He is also one of the stars of the hit movie The Secret.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Proof positive that Joe Vitale's best books are not about Joe Vitale November 25, 2007

By Mike TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I've reviewed The Attractor Factor: 5 Easy Steps for Creating Wealth (or Anything Else) from the Inside Out and Buying Trances: A New Psychology of Sales and Marketing on Amazon, and I stand behind what I wrote in each of those reviews. "There's A Customer Born Every Minute" is of a different stripe. This book is what you get when Joe Vitale sets aside his aggressive, non-stop self marketing campaign for a moment and delivers a rich thesis on one of the greatest salespeople to ever walk the earth. For the record, Barnum did not say "There's a sucker born every minute." The quote actually comes from one of his competitors...Google it and see for yourself.

This book is more substantive and less "carrot-dangling" than some of Joe's other work. Jeffrey Gitomer provides the Foreword, and Vitale's book...coupled with Gitomer's own recent Little Platinum Book of Cha-Ching: 32.5 Strategies to Ring Your Own (Cash) Register in Business and Personal Success (Jeffrey Gitomer's Little Books) (itself a "revised and updated" version of his "Patterson Principles of Selling," based on the late-1800s sales creed of the president of the National Cash Register Company), would nicely complement any modern-era sales volumes on your bookshelf.

I'm going out on a limb here and say that Joe probably reads his Amazon reviews. So, Mr. Vitale, here's my direct message to you. You would provide greater value and a greater level of service to your loyal customers if you offered more stand-alone books such as this one and fewer items that are merely a conduit to purchasing your other products. Thank you for this book, and while your readers learn the lessons contained within, hopefully you will learn a lesson or two yourself.

The book also reprints Barnum's "The Art of Money Getting," a speech contained in his 1869 autobiography "Struggles and Triumphs," and "Barnum's Rules for Success," an article he wrote in 1852 which later appeared in the 1855 edition of his biography.

In closing, once again, I want to clearly state that this isn't an open invitation to begin accumulating the collective works of Joe Vitale. This book is an exception to the rule he's created himself. It's worth owning and I recommend it. Beyond this book, caveat emptor.

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Studying Barnum June 3, 2006

By Tom Carpenter VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been a student of Barnum for more than ten years. I have an original signed copy of his autobiography and even an original copy of his book on money. The man was a marketing genius, but more so a creative master.

In this book, the author shows how to apply P.T. Barnum's principles to any kind of organization - a great value to us today. I love the fact that he has included some of the writings of Barnum because it will show people that he really was more than a "circus guy".

I'm also glad he dispels the myth that Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute." Of course, this was more likely said of Barnum one time when he was conned. Barnum, from all historical records, was an ethical man - a man of integrity. When he pulled one over on people, he let them know it. For example, he had a sign in his NYC museum that said, "This way to the Egress." Most people didn't know that an egress is an exit and they would pay, I believe 5 cents, to exit the museum. However, if anyone was upset, Barnum would refund them their money and let them back into the museum.

Ever heard of a "rain check". Mr. Barnum came up with this concept. You'll learn about all of his most important ideas in this book. I highly recommend it.

Tom Carpenter

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Joe Vitale - The Real Deal! April 30, 2006

By Peter R. Wink

Format:Hardcover

If you have any apprehensions about buying Joe's book - trust me - buy it! This book is filled with excellent marketing advice that ANYONE or any business could benefit from. Direct marketing, publicity stunts, the internet, infomercials, networking, negotiating, mass marketing, publicity, Joe covers it all! In fact, he may be the most successful individual marketing on the internet today! Having known Joe for many years and being responsible for bringing him to Nightingale-Conant and producing "The Power of Outrageous Marketing" with him - I can tell you first-hand, he's not some so-called pie-in-the-sky wanna-be guru giving you advice that he does not follow. He walks his talk. Joe became a multi-millionaire following his own advice! Do you think a millionaire could teach you a thing or two? Not only is Joe a successful businessman - he's also a stellar humanitarian involved in too many causes to list here! Could you learn a thing or two from a well-known humanitarian? Joe is also wealthy physically as he lost almost 100 pounds following his own advice on fitness. Having worked with hundreds of authors during my tenure at Nightingale-Conant, I've never had another author have such a lasting impact on me. Not only was he the most credible author I ever worked with in eight years at Nightingale-Conant. He was the most fun, hard working, easy-to-get-along-with person. Not to mention a good friend! I personally own EVERY book Joe Vitale ever wrote, read his blog daily and read his monthly newsletter. After you buy his book, visit his website at www.mrfire.com. Tell him "Peter Wink" sent you! Best!