Convince them in 90 Seconds or Less by Nicholas Boothman
When Nicholas Boothman walks into a room, the first thing you’ll probably notice is his shiny red shoes. Then you’ll take in his sharp, tailored suit. And finally, his warm, welcoming smile. Instantly, your impression of him is positive—and in this book, he teaches you exactly how to create that same effect in your own life.
We’ve all seen that person who can walk into a room and, within seconds, make everyone smile and feel at ease. Often, I could see through their motives, but I was always struck by how effortlessly they connected with others. That natural charisma always seemed like a mystery to me—until I read this book.
Boothman breaks down the art of making great first impressions and forming meaningful connections. He explains how your appearance, body language, tone of voice, and choice of words shape how others perceive you—often before you’ve even realized it yourself. Drawing on his career as a fashion photographer and his early experiences in marketing—particularly with a mentor named Muldoon—Boothman offers insight into how people connect and how we can become better at it.
My Key Takeaways:
1. Smile more.
This may seem obvious, but I’ve realized how often I forget to smile or appear closed off—even unintentionally. Boothman’s trick of saying “great” three times to boost your mood actually worked for me. It’s a simple shift that helps me bring more energy and warmth into my interactions.
2. Dress with intention.
I never paid much attention to how I dressed, but this book made me realize how much that oversight affects the way others see me—especially in professional settings. Now, I’m starting to see clothing as a tool for communication, not just function.
3. The 70-20-10 rule.
Boothman emphasizes that 70% of a first impression is visual, 20% is tone of voice, and only 10% is the actual words you say. That completely changed how I think about communication. I used to obsess over saying the “right” thing, but now I understand that how I say it—and how I present myself—matters far more.
Conclusion
Anyone who wants to grow their career, improve their personal relationships, or simply make a better impression will find something valuable in this book. Boothman presents his ideas clearly and practically, without sounding preachy or unrealistic. Convince Them in 90 Seconds has already helped me reshape the way I interact with others—and I think it could do the same for you.