“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.” – William Arthur Ward
What’s at stake? It’s the driving force in every story, every decision, every action. And it can be a powerful tool in motivating your customers.
Take Amazon’s Prime Day, for example. By creating a sense of urgency through limited-time offers, they inspire action. Customers feel the need to act quickly, or they’ll miss out on something valuable. That’s the psychology of stakes in action.
But how can you apply this to your business?
- Identify What’s at Stake: What will your customer gain by acting now? What might they lose if they delay? Understanding this will help you frame your offer in a way that creates urgency.
- Align Urgency with Needs: Your urgency must align with what’s truly at stake for your customer. False urgency will be seen as manipulative and can backfire. Be genuine in your offers and deadlines.
- Create Consistent Branding: Your message, including what’s at stake, should be consistent across all platforms. This cohesive approach enhances credibility and reinforces the urgency you’ve created.
- Provide Real Value: Your offer must have real value to the customer. Creating a sense of urgency around something that doesn’t truly benefit them will lead to mistrust.
Action Step: Identify what’s at stake for your customers in relation to your product or service. Craft your next marketing campaign around this urgency, aligning it with genuine needs and value.
Remember, the stakes must be real and aligned with your customer’s true needs and desires. When done right, understanding and communicating what’s at stake can be a powerful motivator, driving not just single purchases, but lasting loyalty.
Interested in exploring more about the psychology of stakes in marketing? Dive into our book of the week: “Building a StoryBrand” by Donald Miller.