Understanding behavior is the reason that all marketing companies make millions – they research people’s greatest fears, wants, desires and motivations and based on that, they develop a product (whether useful or not) and sell it to us knowing that we will be compelled to get it.
On that note, all human beings have a weakness that is played continuously on, not all of them will admit it but unfortunately, according to science – it’s inherent. If over time, you have learned not to have overcome it – know this – the millions of others that haven’t will be your client base.
Besides, it is not a weakness if appropriately used. Ethically. Smart people know that weaknesses can become strengths.
So what is this little catch in human behavior that affects most of us?
Here’s a clue dating back to ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, there was a God, one you will have heard of – his name was Narcissus.
He was a hunter from Thespiae in Boeotia who was known for his physical beauty and the son of the river god Cephissus.
He was a very proud creature who rejected most of those who loved him.
Nemesis noticed this behavior and thought it rather mean and so devised a plan. He attracted Narcissus to a nearby pool, where Narcissus saw his reflection in the water for the first time and fell in love with it, not realizing it was merely an image.
Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, Narcissus lost his will to live. He became addicted to his own image. He stared at his reflection until the day that he died. Narcissus, as you know, is the origin of the term narcissism, a fixation with oneself and one’s physical appearance. I’m sure we know a few people just like him.
However, here’s the truth – we all have a fixation with our image. With the dawn of the recent ‘selfie’ craze, you cannot fault the logic. Everyone likes to see themselves experiencing something good or looking their best. Not just our faces and our bodies which we continuously try to improve, but also with how people see us, how we see ourselves and how eager we are to show off the things that we have and do.
This is our weakness. Self-love is lovely don’t get me wrong but pre-occupation with our image, when used incorrectly or obsessively, leads us to buy things we don’t want to impress people we don’t like, with money we don’t have. It’s a dangerous path. But it can be used to our advantage, especially in business. And very especially online.
Here are a few secrets to selling more products and getting more awareness just by using this knowledge:
- Be socially present. People like to compare – they want to know if you are doing better, what you are doing and mostly if you can help them be a better ‘image’ version of themselves with your services. So be Ensure that you are advertising on all of the channels available including Facebook and most of all Instagram. Not many Internet Marketers are Instagramming. They think ‘it’s just a bunch of pictures’. But pictures can paint a thousand words and are often more effective than a long spiel. Instagram is more significant than you think and is a straightforward marketing strategy.
- Sell discreetly. Be careful that you do not openly sell on these channels – people hate that. You must come across like a decent, average person with an ongoing life and an objective other than making money. Use your self-love to get out there and show yourself off as a personal person. This is why Instagram works wonders. Say for example you are selling a business opportunity for people to make more money. Instead of stating a big long list of reasons as to why they should invest in you – show them pictures. Show yourself with lots of free time on a beach, get a high-quality camera and be engaging with your images. If people want that life– they can click the link. It’s subtle, and it’s smart because no one wants to be less or to feel left out. Plus it plays on the need for them to upgrade their image, to be more pro-active and your pictures are evidence that it is achievable.
- Understand human behavior. Now that you know people want to upgrade themselves and improve their image constantly give them what they want. Invest in products that create that feel-better feeling. This is your avenue to plenty of clients. Give constant reinforcement that what you have is what they want. They know it – so it’s time for you to know it.
