Writing Pitches Using " Small Big" Psychology

Writing Pitches (and About Everything Else) That Influence

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I read and reread The Small Big: Small changes that spark big influence  by Steve J. Martin, Noah J. Goldstein and Robert B. Cialdini. It’s not that it tells me anything new about marketing, writing copy, or putting together great pitches. It’s that it inspires me anew, and reminds me of what a tough job those tasks are and how so many other disciplines are involved, including two of my favorites. Words matter. And PSYCHOLOGY. And, yes, I'm using capital letters because they are so important.

For instance, here’s a quote that beautifully distills the six principles of marketing for any field you are in:

•    “. . . reciprocity (people feel obligated to return favors performed for them),
•     authority people look to experts to show them the way)
•     scarcity (the less available the resource, the more people want it)
•           liking (the more that people like others, the more they want to say yes to them)
•     consistency (people want to act consistently with their commitments and values)
•     and social proof (people look to what other do in order to guide their own behavior).”

This book includes studies that show people in any industry (including my favorites--those associated with writing of any kind) how to frame what they have to say right down to what to put first, what to stress, and choosing words that influence people in different ways.

This is a book you’ll want to read—and reread—as I do. 

Reread? Well, it is so jam packed you’ll need to go back to it time again to get it all and keep utilizing what it teaches you in everything from your blogging to your query letters where a great pitch is essential to writing your synopses. Here’s the link again so you you’ll have not trouble finding it and using it:

 http://bit.ly/InfluenceTactics

Wouldn't it make a great gift for anyone who writes for their business . . . or, yes, writers of any ilk.

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MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER


Howard-Johnson is the author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the award-winning second editions of The Frugal Book Promoter (where she talks more about choosing and the advantages of winning contests and how to use those honors)  and The Frugal Editor. Her latest is in the series is  How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. Learn more on her Amazon profile page, http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile. Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers is one of her booklets--perfect for inexpensive gift giving--and, another booklet, The Great First Impression Book Proposal helps writers who want to be traditionally published. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it will help them convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. In addition to this blog, she helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs at all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (http://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com )