10 Must-Know Facts About Marketing Psychology

Experts estimate that the average person sees up to 5,000 ads per day. In 1970, this number used to be at just 500. For marketers, this uptick in ads means that they have to get more inventive with their marketing campaigns and sales tactics.

To do this, we can take advantage of the marketing psychology of humans to get the best results. We’re all susceptible to advertisements as long as the right buttons are pressed.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of 5 ways marketing campaign and sales tactics utilize psychology to generate leads.

1. Outcome is King

It used to be that to advertise a product all you had to do was simply list its features or components, but all this now falls largely on deaf ears. Consumers are outcome oriented.

They want to know how a product will help them specifically. Marketers take advantage of this by emphasizing the results a consumer can get from using their products.

2. Priming

Priming is a method of subconsciously preparing someone to make a decision or association. For example, if you said the word “blue” to someone, they might think of the sky.

In advertising, marketers can take advantage of this human behavior by showing consumers pictures of money, for example, if they were about to sell them some sort of financial service.

3. Sharing is Caring

Consumers love reciprocity. As a marketer, you should always be thinking of ways to give back to customers in whatever small way you can – whether it be branded pens, coffee mugs, or even hot sauce.

Consumers appreciate these promotional items, even if they’re designed to get them to buy more stuff. You can read more about this particular concept by heading over to Eraser Farm, if you wish.

4. Social Proofing

Social proofing is a psychological phenomenon in which people will assimilate to the beliefs, actions, or ideas of a group of people that they like or trust.

Social proofing is why marketers often reach out to celebrities for endorsements and why companies like Apple have such cult followings. Consumers, in these instances, are just following the herd. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s human!

5. Getting the Best “Deal”

Marketers give consumers the impression that they’re getting the best deal on a product or service through a concept called “anchoring.” Anchoring is tactic in which an advertiser will give a consumer the price of an item, for example, and then list the sale price right next to it.

This way, the consumer thinks they’re getting a bargain, when in fact the manufacturer was planning on selling the product at the “sale” price all along. Walmart’s rollback prices are the most famous example of this.

Now That You Know About Marketing Psychology…

It’s time to put these concepts to work in your own advertising campaigns. The human mind is an incredible thing, but it can still fall victim to these simple marketing psychology tricks.

If you’d like any more marketing tips or advice, be sure to check out the Marketing section of our website.