Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Brain Sell summary
When Science Meets Shopping
13 mins
Brief summary
The Brain Sell by David Lewis is a fascinating read on neuromarketing. It reveals how our brains process ads and how companies exploit this knowledge to influence our choices.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Brain Sell
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
There are two ways of shopping: Going shopping and doing shopping.
Shopping: it’s a pretty simple task, right? You need something, you have the money for it, you buy it. Yet for decades, psychologists, neuroscientists and behavioral analysts have all studied the way we shop, and they’ve all drawn the same conclusion: it’s not as simple as we think it is.
For starters, did you know that there are two types of shopper? Those who go shopping and those who do shopping. What kind are you?
Some of us go shopping. We do it to have fun, to experience brands, service and entertainment. We welcome shopping as a chance not just to gain new possessions, but to enjoy a break from the daily grind amid the bustling crowd. Going shopping is, in general, highly pleasurable, and not at all something we need to do.
On the other hand, there are those who do shopping, and regard it as a chore. If someone tells you they’ve got to “do the shopping,” you know that they’ll be buying things they absolutely need, but don’t necessarily want. They may even treat the experience as a necessary evil to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. They certainly don’t enjoy the experience.
When you do the shopping you’re like a one-person SWAT team rescuing a hostage. You rush in, grab the hostage (or, in this case, the milk, toilet paper and cat food) and get out ASAP.
Conversely, those who go shopping linger in the store and admire the products, and are therefore naturally beloved of advertisers, manufacturers and retailers. These are the people you should attract to your brand. How? The next blinks reveal all.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Brain Sell?
Key ideas in The Brain Sell
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Brain Sell about?
The Brain Sell (2013) reveals innovative tactics that’ll help marketers draw in customers by using the powers of neuroscience. These blinks explore strategies of psychological marketing, body language and sensory allure that every retailer should know, and that every customer should know how to avoid!
The Brain Sell Review
The Brain Sell by David Lewis (2012) explores the fascinating world of neuromarketing and why we buy what we buy. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With insightful research findings, it unveils the hidden forces that influence our purchasing decisions, offering a fresh understanding of consumer behavior.
- Real-life case studies and examples provide practical applications, allowing readers to apply the principles in their own lives and businesses.
- By revealing the power of emotions and the subconscious mind in driving consumer choices, the book captivates and surprises, making it far from boring.
Who should read The Brain Sell?
- Marketers interested in encouraging their customers to buy more
- Customers who’d like to defend themselves against marketing tricks
Categories with The Brain Sell
Book summaries like The Brain Sell
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
38 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Brain Sell FAQs
What is the main message of The Brain Sell?
The main message of The Brain Sell is that understanding the brain's decision-making process can improve sales and marketing strategies.
How long does it take to read The Brain Sell?
The reading time for The Brain Sell varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be completed in 15 minutes.
Is The Brain Sell a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Brain Sell is worth reading because it provides valuable insights into how the brain works and its impact on consumer behavior.
Who is the author of The Brain Sell?
The author of The Brain Sell is David Lewis.
What to read after The Brain Sell?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Brain Sell, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Brainfluence by Roger Dooley
- Neuromarketing by Patrick Renvoisé & Christophe Morin
- Conversations That Sell by Nancy Bleeke
- Buyology by Martin Lindstrom
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- Age of Propaganda by Anthony Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson
- Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and It's All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson
- How to Fall in Love with Questions by Elizabeth Weingarten
- Live More Think Less by Pia Callesen
- It Begins with You by Jillian Turecki