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Please DON'T READ THIS if you ...

by The Marketeer
17 replies
If you're reading this then it worked ...

But I DON'T WANT YOU TO READ ANY FURTHER ... OR ELSE ...

You still here ?

Good.

Just wondering if any of you have used reverse psychology in copywriting.

If so, to what degree and how effective was it for you.

Thanks
#copywriting #read #reverse psychology
  • Profile picture of the author Ken Somerville
    I use it quit a bit, and I find that it works with a lot of people. The don't read past here idea, makes people want to read on.

    I don't use it in every article that I write, but you only use it were it fits, right. Ask questions to get answers, make statements that are bold or out and out, no way that can be true. It Does work.

    Hope this helps.

    Your Friend in Marketing Ken
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
      I've used it many times.

      And it really can be incredibly successful.

      It creates an intriguing type of curiosity.

      But the best bit is - most sales pitches relentlessly - push, push and push.

      And the more you shout and scream saying - buy this - buy this - buy this.

      The more chance there is of the client walking away - because they hate the non - stop high pressure.

      But suggest they "may" not be able to have it.

      Suddenly they become much more interested.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
    Whether intentionally or not, you slipped a second psychological technique in there too.

    You used the Zeigarnik effect by finishing your statements with "if you" and "or else". This opens a loop in the readers mind that they want to close by completing the thought. So they read on.

    You can see this technique commonly used on the news and other TV programs to tell you what's coming up.

    And it gets used in copy typically to transition from an opening big promise into the creator's story.

    Regarding reverse psychology, you usually see it used in copy in the form of a takeaway near the close: "But this isn't for everyone...", it'll then list a few reasons "not cheap", "only for action takers", etc that challenge the reader.

    Dan Kennedy rates it as one of the most powerful selling techniques you can use.
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    Andrew Gould

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    • Profile picture of the author The Marketeer
      Originally Posted by Andrew Gould View Post

      Whether intentionally or not, you slipped a second psychological technique in there too.

      You used the Zeigarnik effect by finishing your statements with "if you" and "or else". This opens a loop in the readers mind that they want to close by completing the thought. So they read on.

      Regarding reverse psychology, you usually see it used in copy in the form of a takeaway near the close: "But this isn't for everyone...", it'll then list a few reasons "not cheap", "only for action takers", etc that challenge the reader.

      Dan Kennedy rates it as one of the most powerful selling techniques you can use.
      It was intentional, inspired by the forward pointer headline, to hook the reader into reading on.

      The 2nd RS statement, was inserted for extra effect, so while the reader is still wondering what the 1st one was all about, he gets hit again.

      Didn't realise it is considered one of the most powerful though.

      Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author The Marketeer
    Just had this come through to my inbox:

    How to Craft Cash Creating Climatic Copy

    Adds some more insight into the power of "The Zeigarnik Effect" and "Nested Loops". Confirmation from a veteran.
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Hill
      Originally Posted by The Marketeer View Post

      Just had this come through to my inbox:

      How to Craft Cash Creating Climatic Copy

      Adds some more insight into the power of "The Zeigarnik Effect" and "Nested Loops". Confirmation from a veteran.
      Quick note to everybody - while the How To article is good, DO NOT FOLLOW the link in it to the "awesome article" by Dorian Greer from SeducingTheBuyer.com - my Norton had a fit and said there were 4 threats including trojans, on that page after started to load from the Wayback Machine. Just FYI.
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      • Profile picture of the author The Marketeer
        Originally Posted by Steve Hill View Post

        Quick note to everybody - while the How To article is good, DO NOT FOLLOW the link in it to the "awesome article" by Dorian Greer from SeducingTheBuyer.com - my Norton had a fit and said there were 4 threats including trojans, on that page after started to load from the Wayback Machine. Just FYI.
        Thanks for your feedback. I'll notify the admins on those sites about this.
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  • Profile picture of the author BarryADensa
    Just don't be overtly manipulative, or obvious. Psychology, reverse or forward, is essential to creating sales. Where copywriters get into trouble is when they discover a new "trick" and then fill their pages with it, or, they haven't mastered the subtitles required to make it nearly imperceptible (though deadly effective) and are ham-fisted in their approach.
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    Barry A Densa - Freelance Marketing & Sales Copywriter - WritingWithPersonality.com

    Download a FREE copy of my new eBook, containing 21 of my most outrageous rants, when you visit my blog: Marketing Wit & Wisdom

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    • Profile picture of the author The Marketeer
      Originally Posted by BarryADensa View Post

      Just don't be overtly manipulative, or obvious. Psychology, reverse or forward, is essential to creating sales. Where copywriters get into trouble is when they discover a new "trick" and then fill their pages with it, or, they haven't mastered the subtitles required to make it nearly imperceptible (though deadly effective) and are ham-fisted in their approach.
      Thanks for your advice.

      To be honest, I was just messing about, since it's on the forum and is likely to be seen mostly by copywriters.

      In reality I was just testing the response and seeking some feedback on the effectiveness of this technique from anyone else who used it.

      If I was to use this technique in a real job, I'd be much more subtle with it and use it sparingly in conjunction with a whole load of other "tricks" so that it doesn't lose the effect it was intended to have.

      I hate being manipulated into buying something I didn't need or want myself, so if I was to use a technique like this I would only do so, to sell a product or service that I feel is going to add real value to the prospect's life.
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  • Profile picture of the author jeffyman
    Yes, I do use it quite a bit, afterall it got me here
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  • Profile picture of the author Calskinator
    That works well, and also headlines like "How to ____ without having to ____"

    For example, one of my headlines that works wonders (and is 100% true) is
    "Lose fat safely and fast without ever having to go to the gym"
    People love it because I'm helping them get what they want (losing fat) without doing what they dread (going to the gym).

    Get into their heads, acknowledge their pain and give a solution and you've got success...
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  • Profile picture of the author aireland
    Works great
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  • Profile picture of the author cameronpalte
    Banned
    I have never used it yet because I am not experienced enough.
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  • Profile picture of the author kaidaiah
    Definitely works great, even with offline marketing. Leaving potential clients with a lingering thought about a new product really helps build their anxiousness and willingness for a second consultation.
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  • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
    Reverse psychology has been around for a long time and works every time. This is one of the most effective marketing tool.
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    • Profile picture of the author premiumonlinewriting
      It is definitely an incredibly effective technique when done right. When people come across a product that's apparently so good it's "not for everyone," they can't help wanting to be part of the exclusive group the product is for.

      That said, Barry A Densa is absolutely right. This will backfire miserably if you're too overt about it and your reader feels like he/she is being manipulated. It's only effective insofar as the rest of the copy builds a sense of integrity.
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