What is Loss Aversion and how can you use it to increase conversions and sales
Here's what we have for you today
Your customers are twice as motivated to avoid pain than to gain pleasure.
This means they will do as much to avoid losing $500 as they will to get $1000.
This principle is called Loss Aversion.
And I love using it in my ads, online course, and membership sales sequences to get people to take action.
If you’re anything like me you don’t like being negative.
But having generated over $10 million in online sales I’ve seen the power of Loss Aversion.
Here’s how to use it in your campaigns.
Why Does Loss Aversion Work?
The cognitive scientist Daniel Kahneman coined the term loss aversion in 1979.
The principle is thought to be rooted in evolutionary psychology. When living on the edge of survival as a hunter gatherer the loss of a day’s food could cause death, whereas gaining an extra day’s food was less valuable when it couldn’t be stored.
But today we can use it to help our audience make a decision and take action.
3 Ways You Can You Use Loss Aversion
There are lots of ways to use loss aversion. From subtle nudges in your copy to the very structure of your launches and offers.
Here are just 3 of the main ways I use it.
#1 Amplify the Pain
Highlight the negative consequences of not taking action. Make it real for your audience by describing what they stand to lose.
#2 Frame Benefits as Losses:
Instead of saying, “Download your free guide” say, “Don’t miss your chance to download your free guide.”
This frames the benefit in a way that emphasizes the potential loss of not acting.
#3 Use Scarcity and Urgency:
Create limited-time offers and exclusive bonuses. People are more likely to act if they feel they might miss out on something valuable if they delay.
Think of Loss Aversion as a spice to flavor your copy and launches.
The tastier your dish the more your audience will dig in and buy your course or membership.