// Book comparison
Influence vs Ogilvy on Advertising
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of Influence by Robert Cialdini and Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy.
Influence
by Robert Cialdini
★ 4.9/5
Ogilvy on Advertising
by David Ogilvy
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| Influence | Ogilvy on Advertising | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 320 | 224 |
| Reading time | ~8.0 h | ~5.6 h |
| Published | 1984 | 1983 |
| Author | Robert Cialdini | David Ogilvy |
| Category | Personal Effectiveness | Marketing & Sales |
| Publisher | William Morrow | Vintage |
Choose Influence if…
- → You're interested in personal effectiveness.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You want the more recent perspective (1984).
Choose Ogilvy on Advertising if…
- → You're interested in marketing & sales.
- → You prefer a shorter read (~5.6 hours).
Key takeaways — Influence
- ✓ Apply the Reciprocity Principle by providing value to your stakeholders first, creating a psychological obligation that significantly increases your future persuasive power.
- ✓ Leverage Social Proof by highlighting the endorsements of your existing customers and industry leaders to reduce perceived risk for new strategic partners.
- ✓ Utilize Commitment and Consistency by asking for small, initial agreements that lead your stakeholders to stay aligned with your larger organizational goals over time.
Key takeaways — Ogilvy on Advertising
- ✓ Prioritize Market Research as the foundation of your creative strategy, ensuring that your organization's messaging is based on what actually motivates the consumer to buy.
- ✓ Develop a Big Idea for every campaign—a singular, arresting concept that makes your brand stand out and provides a unified strategic direction for all marketing assets.
- ✓ Focus on Informational Persuasion, recognizing that 'the more you tell, the more you sell,' especially when dealing with high-stakes or complex product offerings.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, more acclaimed read, start with Influence. If you specifically need marketing & sales, Ogilvy on Advertising is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is Influence or Ogilvy on Advertising better? +
Influence has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. Influence focuses on personal effectiveness, while Ogilvy on Advertising focuses on marketing & sales. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, Influence or Ogilvy on Advertising? +
Ogilvy on Advertising is shorter (224 pages, ~5.6 hours) compared to Influence (320 pages, ~8.0 hours).
Should I read Influence or Ogilvy on Advertising first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with Influence. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.