Hi Donna,

This book really was very interesting. I tried not to put a negative spin on the strategies – because actually they can all be used authentically. They are solid techniques and don’t have to be used to take advantage of people.

Scarcity, for example – putting an expiration on an offer makes sense for the provider because you can’t keep an offer open forever. But the Black Friday type thing where you only offer two items at the cheap price is kind of sleazy.

I will be referring back to this book as I create sales materials to look for ways to reach people with an honest message.

It is no fun to be on the receiving end of a bad deal.

Thanks so much for sharing this article and for your fantastic comment!

Oh boy do I love this article you have written. I am familiar with this book and it does get the wheels turning in your head. Both as a consumer and a marketer. You have done a great job here putting it all in a nutshell.

Manipulation is the name of the game in marketing. The first one is amazing how it works. Someone opts into our email. We give them something free or of value to them. Immediately they feel like they owe us a favor, so maybe they buy something from us. I was a victim of that one for a long time lol.

I do use this one, but I do like to give a clear message to people that if it is not for them, then please unsubscribe. The last thing I want to do is have people on my list that find me annoying.

When I’m writing a sales letter, I do leave out some of these points because I know it is manipulation. Some of my mentors tell me I’m crazy for not doing this….especially scarcity. I will only do scarcity on my list when I do a special offer for a day. Not lying and say only 3 left kind of thing. Bad karma! lol

Thanks again for this amazing post. I will be sharing it.

-Donna