The world’s best websites follow psychology-backed rules. Today’s guest, Thomas McKinlay, has read over 500 scientific marketing papers to figure out how to create a perfect website. On this episode of Nudge, he shares all the secrets.  Thomas’s newsletter: https://www.ariyh.com/ Subscribe to the Nudge newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile Get the bonus episode: https://nudge.ck.page/2a6d523eea

In today’s episode, I use a marketing psychology principle to try to go viral on YouTube. Did it work? Listen to find out.  Effortful YouTube video: https://youtu.be/L6ueaBYDop8?si=5kHrlW66Fdzk6yTb Effortless YouTube video: https://youtu.be/bhMCGaRsyUQ?si=LSXqZExxOZX7gIji Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

I shrunk Britain’s favourite bread and showed it to a dozen Brits from Bolton. I was experimenting with shrinkflation. Companies shrink the size of their products without changing the price, benefiting from a psychological bias that means we struggle to notice small changes. Today, chatting with Grace Forell from Which?, I figure out the psychology behind shrinkflation, why it works, and I test if anyone notices my shrunken loaf of bread.  Methods of Persuasion: https://www.kolenda.io/books Grace Forell’s podcast: https://tinyurl.com/38hu99bu

Today, I try to persuade 20 total strangers to listen to Nudge. To help, I’ve asked Brain Ahearn for advice. Brian’s Tedx talk on pre-suasion has been viewed by over 1 million people. He teaches tactics that anyone can use. So, I put his advice to the test. I’ve found 40 strangers and asked them if they’d listen to Nudge, but for 20 I used Brian’s ‘pre-suasion’. Did it work? Tune in to find out.  Brian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfahearn/ Brian’s website: https://influencepeople.biz/ Learn more about Voxpopme: https://www.voxpopme.com/

What makes us happy? This question generates wildly different answers. I asked four Nudge listeners and got four different answers. Being the behavioural science nerd I am, I’ve always wondered if there is a scientific answer to this question. Is there a study that reveals the secrets behind the good life? Yes, there is. It’s the longest study on human happiness ever conducted. Today, I spoke to Marc Schulz, the associate director of that study, and he shared the results. What causes a happy life? Find out on today’s episode of Nudge. Marc’s book The Good Life: https://tinyurl.com/3fzcwuhp Access the Bonus Episode: https://nudge.ck.page/8c8b5f6c05

Robert Cialdini is known to most as the godfather of influence. But is his 40-year-old book still relevant? Today, with Bas Wouters, best-selling author and CEO of the Cialdini Influence, we debate whether Cialdini’s 1984 findings still apply.  How I persuaded 8 influencers to promote Nudge: https://tinyurl.com/y8dvy9xk Bas’s book Online Influence: https://www.onlineinfluence.com/book-online-influence/ Cialdini’s latest edition of Influence: https://tinyurl.com/2sdz9524 BBC’s Bickman experiment: https://youtu.be/4jcleVvgchs?si=hxG2nodA_1vAZfDS Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing Nintendo Brain Training. I’ve always thought it’d make me smarter. Most people agree. I asked 25 Brits, and 24 said it “helps their memory.” And yet, my guest on Nudge, Prof Dan Simons, thinks we’re all wrong. So, does Nintendo brain training work? Well, in today’s episode of Nudge, I find out.  First, I analysed the dozens of ads Nintendo had put out. I share the psychological nudges they used to persuade us and how they made their game so popular. Then, I run my own experiment. For 5 days, I play Nintendo Brain Training. I record my progress and measure if my intelligence has improved after a week. And finally, I chat with Professor Dan Simons and hear why he thinks so many people like me were lured in by Brain Training’s claims.  Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile Learn more about Voxpopme: https://www.voxpopme.com/

This advice has changed the way I work.  Professor Adam Alter covers the science behind creativity, Bob Dylan’s songwriting tricks, Pfizer’s profitable pivot, Pixar’s crowd-based wisdom, and one study that changed my perspective on creativity.  Adam’s book: https://adamalterauthor.com/anatomy Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile Mike Temple’s Blowin’ cover: https://youtu.be/tFgohZ8xtnI?si=z0LYO9E2qX5PCEEw

Professor Danny Zane told me to slightly change how I promote my products. His advice increased my sales by 600%. Today, on Nudge, I reveal what he told me.  Danny’s webpage at Lehigh: https://business.lehigh.edu/directory/daniel-zane The email engagement results: https://im.ge/i/The-email-engagement-results.fEAXyX The sale results: https://im.ge/i/The-sale-results.fEAos9 Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

Tesco is the largest UK employer. They conduct almost 1 million interviews a year, yet I think they might be pointless. Today, I will share psychological studies showing common interview flaws. I explain why so many of us are bad at predicting what others think and suggest a better way to conduct interviews.  Thinking Fast and Slow: https://tinyurl.com/msd3kz9b Talking to Strangers: https://tinyurl.com/yewvrwb5 Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

Fraudsters use four common tactics to con you. These tactics have been proven to work in scientific labs, adopted by the world’s best marketers, and used by scammers to manipulate and persuade. Are you being conned? Find out on today’s episode of Nudge with Dan Simons. Dan's book: https://www.dansimons.com/NobodysFool.html Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

There’s a strange ritual Messi does at the start of every game that helps make him great. This ritual also helps job candidates succeed in interviews, sketch comedians create better jokes, and helped A-ha write Take On Me. To hear what it is, listen to bestselling author Adam Alter teach me the science behind beating procrastination.  Adam’s book: https://adamalterauthor.com/anatomy Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

Whether clinking a glass with a friend, blowing on a cake, touching wood for good luck or tapping the plane before boarding, most of us have at least one weird ritual. Today’s guest, Harvard Professor Mike Norton, studied them for years. In today’s Nudge episode, he shares his findings. It turns out that those odd rituals are more important than we think.  Mike’s book Ritual Effect: https://tinyurl.com/mwbvws3n Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

I didn’t pay them. I didn’t force them. I didn’t even try to persuade them. No, to convince these 8 influencers I used an extremely powerful psychological bias. This same bias has been used to sell one thousand pounds of cheese in three hours, turn greedy bankers into charitable donors, and (potentially) save us from nuclear war. Listen to find out how I persuaded 8 influencers to promote this podcast.  The (free) Science of Persuasion course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course The Science of Marketing course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course Robert Cialdini’s new edition of Influence: https://tinyurl.com/2pn23p83 Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

I interviewed a (former) mind reader. He still reads minds today, but not for gimmicks. Instead, he uses his powers to help companies increase their sales. Today on Nudge, he shares 21 psychology-inspired tips that are proven to increase revenue. Nick's newsletter: https://www.kolenda.io/ Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

The bestselling author of The Power of Habits and Supercommunicators shared his top communication advice. Today, on Nudge, I tested Charles Duhigg's advice on four strangers. Will his advice make me more popular? Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.ck.page/72cea6802d Charles's book Supercommunicators: https://tinyurl.com/447wkpmz Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

Facebook has developed AI that’s smart enough to manipulate and persuade humans. Political spinsters have used it to persuade voters. Scam artists used it to con thousands of people at scale. Yet, I’m most worried about how AI might take my job, how AI is almost certain to become a better podcaster, writer, and marketer than me. Today, I share what happens when AI can persuade humans, and I suggest a way for all of us to keep our jobs in an AI-dominated world of work.  The Coming Wave: https://tinyurl.com/pvsbvhuh Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

What do Maradona’s Hand of God and Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” have in common? Both might be due to cognitive biases. Today, on Nudge, Nuala Walsh shares seven cognitive biases that shape our decisions and might ruin my life.   Nuala’s book: https://www.nualagwalsh.com/ Nuala’s TED talk: https://youtu.be/xLSAkVxPOk0?si=PPjFSAO7tk8VszPM Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

He lied to his students, his friends, and his family. He fabricated data in 57 separate studies. He publicised racist views as scientific fact. And for a decade, he got away with it. Today, I share how one of the world’s most popular behavioural scientists fooled the world. Nobody’s Fool: https://tinyurl.com/yv6pf93v Influence: https://www.influenceatwork.com/store-new/ Subscribe to the (free) Nudge Newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

In today’s episode of Nudge, Rory Sutherland explains how to Sell a £500 hoover Make a flight delay pleasurable  Improve the London Tube map  Persuade more effectively Make any cafe more popular  Stop drink drivers  It’s a cracker.  (A version of this episode was released in 2021, but it’s been heavily edited so still worth tuning in to). Access the bonus episode here: https://nudge.ck.page/a48dd10ceb Rory’s book Alchemy: http://tinyurl.com/3ucjy6rz Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

What do election winners have in common? What makes a speech more persuasive? Are there tactics that every politician follows? And can we use these same tactics in our day-to-day work? I’ve spent the past week listening to nothing but election winning speeches. Today, I share what makes an election winning speech.  Derek’s book Hit Makers: https://tinyurl.com/yeymzds8 Jonah’s book Magic Words: https://jonahberger.com/magic-words/ Follow the Nudge Newsletter (it’s free): https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

In today’s episode of Nudge, Rory Sutherland explains: The reason behind Brexit  How doormen were undervalued  What bees teach us about creativity  The problem with R&D  Amazon’s two way door  Don’t miss this.  (Warning this episode contains explicit language). Access the bonus episode here: https://nudge.ck.page/a48dd10ceb Rory’s book Alchemy: http://tinyurl.com/3ucjy6rz Sign up to the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

In the 5 years I’ve spent creating this show, I’ve learnt a lot about advertising. Today, I share six evidence-based principles that are proven to improve any ad. If you want to understand why you buy the things you buy, then tune in. Join the free Science of Persuasion Course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course

I guarantee that the words you use to win arguments are ineffective. I don’t think you’re a lousy persuader, I think we all are. Today, world-leading neuroscientist Tali Sharot shares her decade-long research into persuasion. She tells me that the way I argue is ineffective and reveals how to win any argument.  Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.ck.page/de30a8ac24 Tali’s book, Look Again: https://tinyurl.com/5n8p3btb Tali’s lab: https://affectivebrain.com/?page_id=161 Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

I’ve tested 100s of psychological tactics on my email subscribers. Today, I reveal the 10 tactics that actually work.  Join the free Science of Persuasion Course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course My endowment test: https://tinyurl.com/bv2umtup My scarcity nudge: https://tinyurl.com/376stytp My loss aversion nudge: https://tinyurl.com/5hyh9y4h My experiment with International Podcast Day: https://im.ge/i/PrV4l9 My consistency experiment: https://bit.ly/3sABZTU My curiosity gap experiment: https://bit.ly/3DiGasA

This is surely the most persuasive message on earth? It made 22,000 Brits agreed to 1,000 hours of community service, including, but not limited to; cleaning toilets at festivals, scraping chewing gum off the streets, and manually relieving sewer blockages. In today’s episode, Harvard Professor Todd Rodgers explains how.  Access the bonus episode here: https://nudge.ck.page/b64397a286 Writing for Busy Readers book: https://writingforbusyreaders.com/ Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list How 22,000 agreed to 1,000 hours of community service: https://tinyurl.com/y9znsvhn

Warning. This episode contains explicit language.  In 2018, KFC told the world they FCK’d up. Today on Nudge, Professor Moore shares the science behind swearing and reveals if swearing in ads helps or hinders a brand. Access the bonus episode here: https://nudge.ck.page/e1bed9bc16 Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

It seems inevitable to us now that someone would eventually land on the moon. But back in 1962 that wasn’t so certain. With the ever-rising costs of the Apollo space program, and a huge amount of tax needed from each US citizen, JFK struggled to convince people. That was until one speech on a sunny day in September. This speech went down in history, persuading the nation to reach for the moon. In today’s Nudge, I explain the psychological tactics Kennedy used to make that speech so compelling. Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Tali Sharot’s book The Influential Mind: https://tinyurl.com/ytvpyuk2

Chris Voss, the FBI’s former chief hostage and kidnapping negotiator, shares how to succeed in any negotiation. Chris’s newsletter: https://www.blackswanltd.com/the-edge Chris’s book: https://www.blackswanltd.com/never-split-the-difference Follow the Nudge newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

Chris Voss, former chief hostage and kidnapping negotiator for the FBI, shares the worst negotiation mistakes you can make.  Chris’s newsletter: https://www.blackswanltd.com/the-edge Chris’s book: https://www.blackswanltd.com/never-split-the-difference Follow the Nudge newsletter: https://nudge.ck.page/profile

In the 5 years I’ve run Nudge, I’ve interviewed 10 experts on pricing. These aren’t run-of-the-mill LinkedIn gurus. They’re peer-reviewed researchers from some of the world’s most prestigious universities. Today, I reveal their top 10 pricing tips. Join the free Science of Persuasion Course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course

In today’s episode of Nudge, Rory Sutherland explains: When to tell smokers to quit smoking  How to double McDonald’s orders  Ways to make Londoners recycle  Why pensions schemes are broken  How to make high earners pay more tax You won’t want to miss this.  (Warning this episode contains explicit language). Rory’s book Alchemy: http://tinyurl.com/3ucjy6rz Sign up to the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

I’ve spent 200 hours interviewing persuasion experts. Today, I share the persuasion tactics that actually work.  Join the free Science of Persuasion Course: https://nudge.ck.page/persuasion-course Reddit ads: https://imgur.com/a/BsCwx7n  Reddit ads results: https://imgur.com/a/iEB4W79

I wish I had followed Prof Todd Rodgers’ advice earlier.  Writing for Busy Readers book: https://writingforbusyreaders.com/ Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Churchill’s plea for brevity: https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/churchills-call-for-brevity/

I used to love football, but nowadays I’m indifferent towards it. Today on Nudge, Professor Sarah Moore explains why.  Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

In today’s episode of Nudge, Uri Gneezy explains why Amazon paid staff $5,000 to quit, how he got Singapore taxi drivers to walk more, and how Pret made their staff friendlier.  Uri’s book Mixed Signals: https://tinyurl.com/28mh4kke Follow the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Uri's previous episodes on Nudge: Episode One / Episode Two

In 1991, CEO of one of the UK’s largest high street brands lost £500m in value overnight. He almost caused his company to go bankrupt, which ultimately led to his dismissal and a complete company rebrand. In today’s episode of Nudge, I share his story, explaining the psychology behind why this happened and some messaging advice that every marketer needs to know.  Sign up to the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Episode 70 of Nudge: https://tinyurl.com/vk2cxcuc Classic VW ad: https://tinyurl.com/52t4xny2 Avis "Try harder": https://tinyurl.com/4k93t3zv Ratner’s speech in full: https://youtu.be/Nj9BZz71yQE?si=Rf4Z0jkeofH4bQtk The Wasp (1984) book reviews: https://tinyurl.com/2mxhk6wf

Is there a hidden sexual symbolism behind the famous golden arches? Yes (apparently). I laughed at this, thinking it was BS, but today I realise I’m probably wrong. See subtle tweaks in logo designs dramatically change how they’re perceived. Today, I talk to Professor Nazuk Sharma as she explains how tweaks to design can make people buy.  Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect with Nazuk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazuksharma/ Nazuk’s Google Scholar Profile: https://tinyurl.com/bdduyt2k The story behind McBreasts: https://tinyurl.com/2pdbx8ak

Every year $342 billion is spent on bottled water. And yet, for many of those customers a safer version, that tastes the same, is 300x cheaper. Our collective thirst for bottled water is largely irrational. It doesn’t make sense. But so, it seems, are the pricing strategies of several major brands, from fashion, to food, to flights, irrational prices often trump rational approaches. Today, Melina Palmer, host of the Brainy Business, explains why irrational prices surprisingly sell.  Melina’s podcast: https://thebrainybusiness.com/ Melina’s book (with free chapters): https://thebrainybusiness.com/nudge Fiji ad: https://tinyurl.com/yufdwdj9 Cleveland Utilities Response: https://tinyurl.com/4hhh45wj

Today, a world-leading neuroscientist explains everything wrong in my life. She details why marriages fail, if cleaning can be fun, how Facebook drove depression, and shares lessons on creativity. In 30 minutes, I learnt more about happiness than in the past 30 years.  Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.ck.page/de30a8ac24 Tali’s book, Look Again: https://tinyurl.com/5n8p3btb Tali’s lab: https://affectivebrain.com/?page_id=161 Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

In 2016 Amnesty international revealed how Microsoft, Volkswagen, and Samsung used suppliers with links to child labour. In 2017 BBC’s Panorama revealed how dozens of iPhone workers had committed suicide due to poor working conditions. In the summer of 2023 we learnt that Amazon’s UK division paid no corporation tax for the second year in a row. Did any of these unethical scandals directly affect sales?  Nope.  Today, professor Daniel Zane—who has studied the wilful ignorance customers have towards unethical practices—explains why. Danny’s webpage at Lehigh: https://business.lehigh.edu/directory/daniel-zane Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

Special days like Valentine’s day have an interesting effect on us. In ancient Roman times they inspired men to whip each other with animal hides. And today, they encourage men to spend hundreds on prospective partners. In today’s Nudge, researcher Danny Zane explains why this happens, sharing his eye-opening studies on how these special days affect us.  Danny’s webpage at Lehigh: https://business.lehigh.edu/directory/daniel-zane The dark history of Valentine’s day: https://tinyurl.com/yfh68kj5 My experiment with International Podcast Day: https://im.ge/i/PrV4l9 Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

Learn the 7 scientifically-proven tips which are certified to improve your offer, and create a promotion that’s “too good to refuse”. Today Thomas McKinlay, founder of Ariyh is back on the show with more marketing-science wisdom. You’ll hear why extraordinary long warranties win, how time-limited offers fail, and why a thank you note isn’t as sweet as it seems.  Ariyh newsletter: https://ariyh.com/ The ecommerce playbook: https://ariyh.gumroad.com/l/ecommerce Follow Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasdmckinlay Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

What do Bieber, Lorde, Cézanne, Monet, Nudge Podcast, and Rock Around The Clock have in common? They all became much more popular through exposure. In today’s episode of Nudge I’ll share the irrational psychology behind popularity, and you’ll learn what it takes to create a hit.  Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list My billboard experiment: https://i.im.ge/2022/10/21/2Nj6C0.Costly-Signal.png

Grab your copy of Wallet-Opening Words here: https://www.walletopeningwords.com/ Support me as I go full-time:  Follow me on LinkedIn  Join the newsletter Subscribe on YouTube  Leave a podcast review

Sharing secrets shouldn’t be frowned upon. Being open, transparent, and candid can work in your favour. Today I’m speaking to someone who doesn’t hide much, John Lee Dumas, host of Entrepreneurs on Fire, one of the world’s most popular business podcasts. John shares almost everything, from his exact monthly income, his tax saving schemes and intimate tours of his house. Today, I explain the psychology behind sharing secrets, and how John’s business probably benefited from his transparency.  Listen to my bonus episode with JLD: https://nudge.ck.page/25236676ed Listen to Entrepreneurs on Fire: https://www.eofire.com/podcast/ JLD’s website: https://www.eofire.com/ Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

In the middle ages hundreds of thousands of Europeans danced themselves to exhaustion. Some danced for weeks on end, many ended up dying of heart attacks and heat stroke. But why? What strange illness was causing this oddity? Turns out, it was all psychological. The dancing epidemic of the middle ages was one of the first noted examples of mass hysteria, a phenomenon where these individuals experience real illness, brought on by imagined ailments. Mass hysteria has been documented in 19th century nunneries, 20th century Palestine and 21st century CIA agents. Today, I attempt to figure out if mass hysteria is more common than we think—and I discover how the same phenomenon has changed the wine we drink, the podcasts we love, and the names we give our kids.  Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Tali Sharot’s book The Influential Mind: https://tinyurl.com/ytvpyuk2 AP Archive footage of the 1983 fainting epidemic: https://youtu.be/8qcQwbJFlsU?si=xgDYI2JWWfmOTJHj Synchronised clapping: https://youtu.be/Au5tGPPcPus?si=PN_jRK2XQkGSTpgn

On today’s episode of Nudge, I learnt something that genuinely surprised me.  Persuasive people aren’t born persuasive.  They’re not persuasive because of their looks, their character, or their position.  No, according to today’s guest, Dr Jonah Berger, their persuasiveness actually comes from the words they use.  Tune in to learn how the likes of Donald Trump and Barack Obama use simple tactics to become more persuasive. And learn how you can become more persuasive by following these easy-to-apply tips. Link to previous episode with Jonah: http://tinyurl.com/ywwbe46r Sign up for the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Jonah’s book Magic Words: https://jonahberger.com/magic-words/