Last week I wrote about fancy purses.
There has got to a psychological reason why I will pay 10 times what someone else will pay for a handbag.
I would say maybe it is a status thing but it kind of isn’t because while everyone else is hauling around the Louis Vuitton Neverfull Tote (which is, ya know, the bag EVERYONE IS CARRYING. It’s the status indicator that Coach bags used to be for a certain subset of the population), very obviously monogrammed with one of their logos (either the interlocking L&V or the square one–I don’t know what it’s called. I’m not a Louis girl), my go-to brands are different. In fact I kind of LIKE most people not realizing my backpack is one brand or my tiger purse is another because it feels very lavish and conspicuous.
I do, however, love a compliment.
I definitely enjoy it when someone says, “I like your bag!”
Probably I like compliments because they reinforce my purchase decision. Someone saying, “I like what you have there,” validates my choice. Then I’m more likely to go back and buy from that brand because I like my purse, and someone else told me they liked it, and that made me feel good.
You, Too, Can Harness the Power of Compliments
I noticed that at the beginning of a few of the podcasts I listen to they often read reviews or testimonials out loud, say thank you, and ask people to leave reviews somewhere.
Now, you can do whatever you want with this information, but what came to my mind was, “Oh, all of these people like this podcast and think it is wonderful, so good job, Katie, on picking out a wonderful podcast to listen to.”
Everyone likes to feel like they’re making good choices, especially when they’re trying something new. Knowing that other people think that that new something is a good choice can evoke that feeling and make buyers/potential clients feel better about the decision.
It’s why word of mouth marketing is so powerful.
Especially if it is genuine. None of this is helpful if the intent behind it isn’t genuine. People aren’t dumb. They can tell if someone is recommending something simply because it will make them money, rather than because it is something awesome that will actually benefit the purchaser.
Collect & Use Testimonials
The easiest way to use this idea for yourself is to collect testimonials and sprinkle them around your website. Other people saying your work is good will reinforce the decisions your potential customers are poised to make.
Bookmarks of the Week
I’m nearing the finish line of editing what I think has to be a 1-million word book. In the last week alone I’ve edited 500,000 words. I’m about to fall over, but the sprint is what I needed to finish.
I saw this last night from Seth Godin and it reminded me that a) I can and will get this book done and b) the pain is not forever and it CANNOT BE FOREVER. It’s why I like running. This book finish is a literal interpretation of sprinting (a type of running) and I know running. I know that speedwork is shorter in duration, more painful, but yields results. I also know that 90% of my time won’t be on speedwork. You can’t sprint indefinitely. Thanks for reminding me of that, Seth.
Another Website Resource For You
We have enjoyed doing website evals! Thank you to everyone who wrote in requesting one.
For those of you wanting a DIY approach to your website, my colleague Monica Hemingway is starting a new course soon, and you might be interested. Here’s the link to learn more. (I’m not an affiliate. I do know Monica knows her stuff, though.)
Wish me luck as I reach the finish line this week.
If you didn’t get your website eval request in last week, feel free to email me and I’ll work on one for you after I have six naps.
Onward!
