Sterling Terrell

smart ideas from books (mostly)

  • Home
  • About
    • My CV
    • Books
    • Series
  • Newsletter
  • Advertising
  • Tools
You are here: Home / Potpourri / How Letting People Fill In The Details Is Persuasive

How Letting People Fill In The Details Is Persuasive

How Letting People Fill In The Details Is Persuasive
[This is part of the series: 31 Persuasion Tips That I Learned From Scott Adams]

When possible, let people fill in the details themselves.

This is persuasive because it allows others to read into a given topic anything they want to.For instance, in a novel, you could set it in “the city” and have a character that works in “an office.”

This might work better than if the book was set in Houston – at the Exxon office.

Because suddenly a reader from Lubbock or Grand Rapids can’t identify.

As Adam’s points out in his book – if done correctly – this technique can work outstanding for politicians.

I mean, if they say it right, the voter can read anything they want into it.

Let’s pretend we are running for President and try one.

“I believe in free markets for everything. This country is so strong though, no one is going to go without proper healthcare.”

Am I for or against socialized healthcare?

You tell me.

PERSUASION TIP 30: “Strategic ambiguity” refers to a deliberate choice of words that allows people to read into your message whatever they want to hear. Or to put it another way, the message intentionally leaves out any part that would be objectionable to anyone. People fill in the gaps with their imagination, and their imagination can be more persuasive than anything you say.
-Scott Adams, Win Bigly

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: PotpourriTagged With: #Ambiguous, #Persuasion

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Notifications of all new posts by email.

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Top Posts

  • The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
    The Tricky Lily Pad Riddle (You Probably Can't Solve)
  • Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
    Can You Solve The Bat And Ball Riddle?
  • Wonder Park Pi Song (Watch It Stick In Your Head)
    Wonder Park Pi Song (Watch It Stick In Your Head)
  • Another Great Riddle For You To Try
    Another Great Riddle For You To Try
  • The Desert: 3 Reasons Why I Love It
    The Desert: 3 Reasons Why I Love It
  • 8 Great Passages From: The Hiding Place, By: Corrie Ten Boom
    8 Great Passages From: The Hiding Place, By: Corrie Ten Boom
  • Hyatt Hill Country Sunday House
    Hyatt Hill Country Sunday House
  • Instabooks 169
    Instabooks 169
  • Statistical Questions: This Is One of My Favorites
    Statistical Questions: This Is One of My Favorites
  • How The West Texas Sky Changes You
    How The West Texas Sky Changes You

Supporting = Loving

Buy Me a Coffee

Recent Posts

  • Shoe Will Be The Next To Drop
  • Random Thoughts – 383
  • Asymmetric Opportunities To Tilt Luck
  • Where I Sit 26
  • X.com

Copyright © 2023 · Generate Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in