"Follow an expert."
~Virgil. (Ancient Roman Author of the Aeneid. 70BCE – 19BCE)

Do you have the power to persuade and influence others? Do you have the skills to protect yourself from nefarious persuaders, scam artists, and con men?

One of my lectures this month involves a 3-hour discussion on the power of persuasion. In preparation I have re stumbled upon two of my favorite books on the subject: “How to Argue and Win Every Time” by Wyoming celebrity attorney Gerry Spence and the other “Influence: Science and Practice” by Arizona Psychology Professor, Robert B. Cialdini.

Some of the skills of influence and persuasion that they cover include:

• Reciprocity: Give and take / Win-Win
• Commitment and consistency 
• Social proofs and peer pressure
• Liking: Buying because we like the sales person
• Authority: They knew what was best or have an opinion that I trust
• Scarcity: I had to buy now because it is going away fast!
• Sincerity and authenticity
• Empathy: Speaking to the others needs / point of view

I am fascinated by persuasion and influence especially how they relate to sales, religion, and politics. As an anthropologist and social scientist one of my goals is to help honest and kind people achieve a wider audience for services that promote understanding, community, social justice, and make the world better. As a mentalist and magical performer, I believe that it is one of my duties to use my skills to help teach people how to avoid frauds, scams, con men/women, and ideas that persuade to hurt, steal, disable, or control.

If you are interested in having me facilitate this discussion at your local university, corporate seminar or meeting, please contact me below at my personal number.

Also, check out the books above. It has been a pleasure to re read them and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and insights. I learn more from the responses that I receive from this newsletter each month then I could have learned from a dozen books! You are my greatest asset.

“The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity."
~Zig Ziglar (American Speaker and Author)

Your friend,
-Paul Draper
paul@mentalmysteries.com
801-541-2976

Websites:
Mental Mysteries
Mental Mystery (agent friendly site)

“Children should be lead into the right paths, not by severity, but by persuasion.”
-Terence (Comic playwright of the Roman Republic. 195 BCE -159 BCE )

Helping Hospitals Heal
Stuart, Florida
August 31 - September 3

Mystique Dining
Boise, Idaho
September 6 - October 31

Magic in the Rockies
Fort Collins, Colorado
September 8-13

Northeastern Junior College
Sterling, Colorado
November 2

Magic For Medical Professionals
Las Vegas, Nevada
November 5th

Idaho Rotary
Driggs, Idaho
November 15-16

Public Theater Events
Butte, Montana
November 18-21

Cruise Ship: Holland America
Caribbean
December 3-13

Lots of New Live Performance Videos on Mental Mysteries!

See a complete live performance from last month at Hollywood's World Famous Magic Castle, which includes 30 minutes of mindreading and comedy.

Also take a look at a live, close up show from the Close up Gallery at the Magic Castle, or enjoy a live, news performance from Channel 2 News in Salt Lake City, Utah last October that they have been re-airing on the station.

My 48 Hour film won Awards in Las Vegas!

This August, my team was awarded Best Acting and 2nd Runner Up for Best Film in the 2010 Las Vegas 48 Hour Film competition.

Imagine writing, casting, directing, and editing a film in only 48 hours. We randomly drew a genre and then were given a character, prop, and line that had to be included in our 4-7 minute film. That's what my team of of only 8 people did in July 23-35. Check out our buddy film, "Inheritance."