Whether we realize it or not, all of the decisions we make are emotion driven then backed by whatever logic (sometimes fuzzy logic and rational lies) we need to justify our decision. That is why "fear of loss" marketing techniques suck some of us into the scammi-est of scams when we are looking to create income from home from a home based business.
We see it all the time on websites, in those spam emails we get in our private email accounts, on social networking sites, in forums …… statements like:
Only 4 days left- JOIN TODAY!
Only 3 positions left
Don’t get left behind. ACT NOW!
You simply cannot afford to miss this….
Jennifer, Last Chance to Lock In …….
Sure legitimate companies run specials from time to time with emotional based marketing tactics, but I am talking about these scam programs that pop up every day or worse, the ones that have been around for a while but haven’t changed their ad copy.
I participated in a brief discussion on Facebook not long ago on this topic. One of the women gave a perfect example of how UN-Logical some of these statements are. She used a traditional business store as an example.
When have you ever gone into a new traditional business with the encouragement to "come in today and buy our wares because we are going to close the business and lock the doors forever after the next 4 customers".
Now let’s take this one step further. Let’s say you jump on this ‘business opportunity’ in the last 4 days taking one of the last 3 positions. You ACT NOW so that you are not left behind, because you simply do not want to miss this boat. Great! Hoorah! You made it just in the nick of time. You are LOCKED IN!
If ANY of those statements were based in TRUTH, and you slid in right under the wire, then shouldn’t it be true that the doors close to anyone else after the supposed time frame or number of positions are filled? You shouldn’t be able to offer the opportunity to anyone else.
Ah, but none of it is true. What legitimate business online or offline PLANS to only be open for a period of time and then they will be shutting down? It’s FEAR OF LOSS in action and it’s used all the time.
We’ve been programmed to react to fear of loss:
Special Sale – Only 4 days left-
Now Hiring – Only 3 positions left
Don’t get left behind. ACT NOW! – Sign up for this Class today!
You simply cannot afford to miss this…. Book, movie, sale……
Jennifer, Last Chance to Lock In ……. your vote
Some people get so wrapped up in the fear that they will lose out, they rationalize (rational-lies) some pretty fuzzy logic…. then what’s worse- they go on to perpetuate the same fear of loss to others.
Think about it before you jump out there to sign up for some income opportunity that’s running a timer or counter – there really is NO timer, no limitations on how many can join and the only plan to shut down is when the well runs dry or the law comes knocking.
~Jennifer Fisher
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August 11th, 2010 at 10:57 am
This is definitely a hot button for me! I don’t like to be lied to, or to lie to others. It would never make sense for an MLM to limit the number of reps in an area, the number of people at a meeting, or the time for getting in, at least not if they are reputable!
August 11th, 2010 at 11:50 am
I totally agree Dale and obviously it’s a hot button for me too.
I’ve tried to come up with all the reasons I fell for this type of stuff when I first got involved with creating income from home via the internet.
Here are three of the reasons (excuses, if you will) I kept coming back to:
1. My belief that others are as honest as I am
2. We don’t know what we don’t know
3. I had forgotten how to be a logical, critical thinker
We can educate the willing when they are ready. The rest, I guess only have 4 days and 3 positions left…. get in NOW.
Thanks for dropping by Dale.
August 15th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Hi Jennifer
Thank you so very much for you. Yes you. Someone has to get this message out. The message is the truth about this industry.
These types of marketing techniques to entice someone to join the “deal” are really quit deceitful.
It is not like a sale that Wal-Mart is promoting, so what, you miss out on the peas that are on sale.
These techniques to entice you into the deal are life altering, future destroying, and relationship breakup type of scams. There have been some really huge arguments fought between spouses over network marketing…sound familiar? You can and many have spent themselves out of business and out of their spouses lives believing that the next great opportunity may vanish instantly overnight.
Many online network marketing opportunities are promoted this way Make your fortune overnight, 3 months to millions, WE build it for YOU (passive)! RIGHT? (pause for a short chuckle)
Again thank you Jennifer.
April 5th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Great comments all. I totally agree with everyone. MLM companies would not be at a disadvantage to recruiting…UNLESS there is a tangeable product being sold. Too many salespeople would saturate a market. This is usually how you can tell MLM from legitimate sales companies.
April 9th, 2011 at 10:47 am
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Dimples.
February 21st, 2012 at 9:37 am
Fear of loss is not just about loosing an opportunity , but to trigger the mind of the buyer in conveying someone else has bought it ..
February 21st, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Great point, Gunsenshah!!!