FBC – 262 – The jedi mind tricks used against you to make you buy stuff

The jedi mind tricks used against you to make you buy stuff.

Today, I am going to reveal some of the tactics that marketers use to sell you stuff. You are going to know how they get you to do whatever they want but also why it works so well on you.

Also we are going to add a deadly weapon in your arsenal that can do wonder for your sales.

All the answers and more in this episode

Want a system as powerful (if not more) than having your own product?

Then click here: https://martinebongue.com/profit-machines

So I was talking with someone about stuff that you can put on a landing page. And we're talking about mental triggers. Okay. There are a bunch of mental triggers that are used to basically make a decision. So there are a lot that are actually being used against you in marketing.

There is a scarcity, for example. There are only two of them left and, you know, if you don't take it, that's it, someone else will take it. And that's a big motivator for you to go and buy now. That's one that's used very often. So that's why very often you see stuff like, oh man, there are only so many seats and stuff which, you know, most of the time is actually B.S.

But anyway, there is urgency. I get it today because tomorrow it won't be there. So this is the principle of sales. You've seen people go crazy on sales because the sale will end at some point. And this is why flash sales are worth so much because there is this deadline.

Another mental trigger which was the subject of that discussion we had. Likability. If someone is a very likable, you are more likely to buy from them than some rude bastard.

So these are some of the mental triggers. And whether you realize it or not, when you need to make a purchase, the purchasing decision, they will come into play. OK. But there is another one called social proof. Now this is very powerful because you have to understand, one thing is that we're social creatures. I mean, at least that's what the specialists say.

The jedi mind tricks used against you to make you buy stuff

Basically we like to do what other people are doing as well. So that's the principle of social proof. Social proof is about if other people are doing this, well, there is a reason for it. If everybody's doing it, there is a reason you should go and jump on the bandwagon as well.

So just to illustrate my point, here's the thing. Let's say you are looking for a restaurant and you've been in that situation, right? You're looking for a restaurant and you're walking down the street. You're with your friends and you're like, oh, man, let's pick a restaurant.

There is one where there is absolutely nobody there, right? Absolutely nobody. And the next one is full of people and you have to wait in line and stuff. What do you do? Which is against any logic. There is no logic behind this. You will pick the one that’s full and you will wait like half an hour to get there, even though the other one is empty.

There is no rational reason why you shouldn't go to the other one. I mean, just the fact it is empty doesn't mean the food is disgusting. All right. So there is no rational reason why you're doing it, except that everybody seems to want to go to that second restaurant and hence you want to go to the restaurant as well. So this is how it works. And this is a technique that's used very, very often.

People started using that, for example when they’re displaying the number of followers they have on Facebook or on Instagram and all that stuff, it's the exact same thing.

There is one page there that has one hundred followers. The other one has three million followers. What do you do? You go to the three million followers. So everybody does that. There is no rational reason while you're doing this is just because there is this mental trigger that's basically urging you to do the same thing as the herd.

Frequently Asked Questions

What persuasion tactics push consumers to buy impulsively?

The most common tactics include scarcity countdowns, limited stock badges, social proof popups, price anchoring against a struck through original, and reciprocity bait such as free samples that create a subtle obligation. Marketers stack two or three together to push buyers past rational comparison shopping.

How does scarcity influence buying decisions?

Scarcity triggers a fear of missing out that overrides slow analytical thinking. Even a low stakes timer of ten minutes measurably shortens decision time and raises conversion rates. The effect is strongest when scarcity feels real, which is why honest stock indicators outperform fake countdowns in long term retention.

Why does anchoring make products feel cheaper?

Anchoring works because the brain compares prices against the first number it sees rather than against absolute value. Showing a struck through one hundred dollar price next to a sale price of forty dollars makes the buyer feel a saving of sixty dollars instead of a real spend of forty.

How can you spot these persuasion tactics in your own shopping?

Spot the tactics by pausing for one full breath before clicking buy and asking three questions: would I want this if the timer was off, would I want this if it was full price, and would I want this if no one else had bought it. Honest answers expose nudges.

About the Author

Martin Ebongue is the founder of martinebongue.com, an online business and lifestyle design blog focused on helping aspiring entrepreneurs build location-independent businesses. Since 2014, he has been creating and scaling online ventures across multiple niches, from digital products and affiliate marketing to SaaS and content platforms, while traveling the world. He shares the real-world strategies, tools, and systems that work, with a particular focus on AI-powered automation for solopreneurs. Follow him on YouTube, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

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