Comments on: Review of Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy

By: niheel

niheel — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:16:26 +0000

a good read, got hooked after i visited the authors website.

By: Luz Spielberg

Luz Spielberg — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:48:25 +0000

Books that place action plans and how tos in them end up sounding cheap whereas Martin instead uses real world examples where the action plan was obvious.

Why do you think they are cheap, Derek?

By: Mary Grace Ignacio

Mary Grace Ignacio — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:21:17 +0000

Psychology is always an important and interesting field to study. With the points you listed above Ivana is making me more eager to grab a copy of this book.

By: Ivana Taylor

Ivana Taylor — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:43:14 +0000

Hi Derek! Thanks for that comment. You know – I wondered if anyone would take my comment on How-tos as a negative. It honestly wasn’t. I loved the book and tore through it voraciously. But if any reader was looking for specific how-tos, I didn’t think the book was “that kind of book”. But it DID leave me wanting more on How to’s – but not necessarily from that book.

By: Derek

Derek — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:46:56 +0000

Ivana, I loved Buyology and I think your review did it some justice. However, I am going to have to disagree with “How Tos.” Books that place action plans and how tos in them end up sounding cheap whereas Martin instead uses real world examples where the action plan was obvious.

The best example of this would be in his religion chapter where he talks about the pillars of all religion. Just looking at those pillars should spark thousands of ideas for marketers and business owners.

Anyway, great review and Buyology was a great book.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:29:35 +0000

This does sound like an interesting read. I like learning anything that regards human behavior as its so fascinating to me.

“Sexy models in ads appeal more to same-sex readers and watchers.” “Senses influence us more than features.” So true!

I’m going to have to check this one out for sure . . . the insights sound intriquing.

By: Nathan Ketsdever

Nathan Ketsdever — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:41:45 +0000

Yeah, I’m getting sick of books that only have theory and no praxis (or brass tacks). Its like “thanks author so and so people are irrational. Sweet!”

Great review, should be one of the next new memes for the next 6-12 months. Although with Gladwells book on its heels, Gladwell may just swamp it.

By: Ivana Taylor

Ivana Taylor — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:14:05 +0000

@Walt – I love your question “What does it mean people want products that look like babies” Because that’s what I aid too – “How am I supposed to make MY product look like a baby?!” – especially if my product is a service or something like a bolt or piece of rubber. Well, Walt – I say – you can’ follow every piece of advice in a book. I read that to mean that if you HAVE the ability to design a product with rounded features and you think it might help – then do it.

By: Martin Lindeskog

Martin Lindeskog — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:04:51 +0000

Ivana: Thanks for the review. I wonder what branding has to do with religion? From the book site at Amazon: “Companies routinetly [sic] copy from the world of religion and create rituals.” If I put a lime wedge in a bottle of Corona, I do it for the taste combination, not for a Mexican religious ritual!

By: Crisis Cartoon

Crisis Cartoon — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:58:36 +0000

This is interesting…. something not taught in marketing class.