UNLOCKING THE POWER OF PAIN: HOW TO USE IT TO BOOST YOUR SALES!
Marketing trends shift at breakneck speed.
Algorithms change overnight.
But do you know what never changes?
👀 Human behavior.
And if you understand what truly drives people to take action, you’ll write copy that sells - every time.
Let’s break it down. 👇
🧠 WHY LOSSES HURT MORE THAN GAINS
Picture this: You’re walking down the street and spot a $20 bill.
No owner in sight.
Score! 🎉
Now, fast forward a week. You reach into your wallet to grab that $20… but it’s gone.
Panic sets in.
Your heart races.
You check every pocket. But it’s nowhere to be found. 😰
Why does losing something feel way worse than gaining it?
It’s called Loss Aversion - and research shows that losses impact us twice as hard as equivalent gains.
That’s why Olympic silver medalists often feel worse than bronze winners.
They focus on what they lost (gold) rather than what they won (a medal at all).
But how does this apply to marketing?
🚀 THE #1 MOTIVATOR IN HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY
Psychologists say we’re driven by two forces:
✔️ Seeking pleasure
❌ Avoiding pain
Which one do you think is stronger?
If you guessed avoiding pain, you’re right. 🏆
Humans are wired to steer clear of losses.
This is why pain-based copywriting converts like crazy.
Your customers aren’t just looking for gains - they’re desperately trying to escape a problem.
There are two types of pain your audience wants relief from:
1️⃣ Urgent, life-altering pains (e.g., struggling to pay rent)
2️⃣ Nagging, emotional pains (e.g., feeling insecure about their appearance)
💡 And here’s the kicker:
The more painful the problem, the more willing people are to pay for a solution.
💰 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE: HOW PAIN-BASED COPY SOLD OUT IN 53 MINUTES
In October 2024, a tiny marketing team launched a pre-sale for their copywriting system, PAINKILLER.
🚀 No fancy sales page.
No elaborate funnel.
Just a Google Doc with a simple sales letter.
The headline?
It targeted a universal fear:
"The Only Thing Worse Than Not Making Sales Is Watching Others Succeed While You Fail"
What was their secret?
📌 They focused on their audience’s deepest pains.
They used Loss Aversion & Negativity Bias to highlight the biggest struggles their target buyers faced.
👉 And the result?
Within 53 minutes, the offer sold out, netting $33,750 in revenue. 💸
🔑 HOW YOU CAN APPLY THIS
Want to make your copy irresistible?
Ask yourself these three questions:
✅ Identify your solution's pain relief: Does it solve urgent, life-altering pain or persistent, nagging discomfort?
✅ Clarify your pain-relief mechanism: How EXACTLY does your offering alleviate this suffering?
✅ Audit your copy: Does it tap into Loss Aversion or Negativity Bias? Could your headlines better highlight what customers stand to lose?
If not, it’s time to tweak your messaging.
🎯 TAKEAWAY
Trends change.
Algorithms evolve.
But human psychology?
That stays the same.
Your audience isn’t just looking for gains - they’re desperate to escape pain.
Master that, and your sales will skyrocket. 🚀
🔔 Follow for More: Don't miss out on future articles packed with practical tips and inspiring ideas.
Visit my website Kamaleonte Marketing.
Subscribe to my newsletter AI Sapiens.
Stay informed, stay adaptable, and keep thriving