10 Subtle (Yet Powerful) Marketing Tactics to Get Customers to Think You’re the Best—All 100% Legal
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“Am I being manipulated?”
This was the question I got when I saw HUGE billboards selling legal services when I visited Atlantic City last year. Gosh I’ve never felt that afraid of an accident at my workplace before.
And you know the most beautiful kicker?
I WORK FROM HOME!
I was scared that a bear might attack me on my desk in my bedroom, the way they described workplace accidents.
But then (as I do with most things), I turned my fear into inspiration! Marketing inspiration haha. It has been over a year since I saw those billboards and I still remember them! Talk about creating a memorable experience.
So what helped them make an impression? Better yet, what is the best way you can create such an impression? Let’s study it.
Here’s a rundown of 10 lesser-known (but completely legal) ways to market.
1. Psychological Pricing
Psychological pricing uses subtle cues to make products feel more affordable. The “left-digit effect” is a classic example: $9.99 feels cheaper than $10 because our brains fixate on the first number.
Similarly, anchoring places a premium option besides a more affordable one, making the latter feel like a bargain.
Real-World Example: How Apple Does It
Apple often uses high-end models to create price contrast. For instance, the iPhone Pro makes the regular iPhone appear more affordable, subtly leading customers to see it as the “best deal.”
How You Can Apply It
- Use .99 or .95 Endings: Prices like $99.99 instead of $100 make products seem more attractive.
- Start with Premium Options: Display a high-priced package first to make other options look more budget-friendly.
- Offer Bundles: Create value packs that combine products or services, making each item feel like a bonus.
These small changes help shape customer perceptions, making products feel more accessible without heavy discounts.
2. Social Proof on Overdrive
People naturally trust what others trust, so showing that others love your brand can be incredibly persuasive. Traditional testimonials are good but taking it a step further—like featuring real customer photos or endorsements from niche micro-influencers—makes your social proof feel more relatable.
Real-World Example: How Glossier Does It
Beauty brand Glossier has built a community by sharing real customer stories and photos. They regularly repost user-generated content, making customers feel like part of a community while creating organic, relatable endorsements with their target audience.
How You Can Apply It
- Use Real Customer Stories: Share testimonials with photos and quotes from real clients in your niche for a relatable touch.
- Collaborate with Micro-Influencers: Partner with small, niche influencers whose followers trust their recommendations. Their endorsements often feel more genuine than celebrity endorsements.
- Feature User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to share their experiences with your product and repost their content on your channels.
This kind of social proof builds trust and gives new customers a reason to feel confident choosing your brand.
3. The Scarcity Principle
Scarcity taps into the fear of missing out (FOMO), making products seem more desirable by limiting their availability.
When customers think something is in short supply or available for a limited time, they’re more likely to act quickly. Just be sure to use it genuinely; overusing scarcity can backfire if it feels like a gimmick.
Real-World Example: How Supreme Uses It
Streetwear brand Supreme is famous for “drops”—limited releases of products that sell out almost immediately.
By only producing a small number of each item, Supreme creates massive demand, with customers eager to grab something before it’s gone.
How You Can Apply It
- Create Limited-Time Offers: Use countdowns or end dates to encourage immediate action, like “20% off for the next 24 hours.”
- Label Products as Limited Stock: Phrases like “Only 5 left!” or “Almost sold out” create urgency around high-demand items.
- Offer Seasonal Exclusives: Release products available only during specific seasons or events to build anticipation and increase sales.
Use scarcity in an authentic way, and you’ll inspire customers to act before they miss out.
4. Unexpected Storytelling
People remember stories with surprise elements, and adding a unique twist to your brand’s narrative makes it memorable.
Instead of a straightforward brand history, unexpected details—a quirky founder story or a surprising customer success—can make your brand stand out.
Real-World Example: How Airbnb Does It
Airbnb doesn’t just promote their listings; they share incredible stories from hosts and guests.
From life-changing trips to hosts who welcome guests as family, these narratives go beyond booking a room, transforming Airbnb into a platform for unique human experiences.
How You Can Apply It
- Share Unique Founder Stories: Was your business inspired by an unusual event or journey? Let people in on the details.
- Feature Surprising Customer Wins: Highlight unexpected success stories from customers who use your product in creative ways.
- Reveal Behind-the-Scenes Moments: Show glimpses of the journey—especially the funny or unusual parts—that make your brand more relatable and engaging.
This approach makes your brand feel authentic and memorable, building a stronger connection with your audience.
At Market Me More, we embrace storytelling with a twist to make complex topics more relatable.
In our blog post, "We Made these 15 Mistakes While Setting Up HubSpot CRM So You Don’t Have To", we candidly share our own missteps during the HubSpot CRM setup process.
We add a personal and humorous touch to the narrative by openly discussing our challenges and lessons learned.
This approach humanizes our brand and provides readers with valuable insights, making the content more memorable and fostering a genuine connection with our audience.
5. Personalization to the Core
Personalization builds a deeper connection with customers, especially when it goes beyond basics.
Instead of just using names, consider timing and tailoring messages to preferences, so your brand feels like it genuinely understands their unique needs and habits.
Real-World Example: How Spotify Nails It
Spotify’s “Discover Weekly” playlist is personalized for each user, based on their listening habits.
By analyzing data on individual preferences, Spotify delivers custom recommendations that keep users engaged and returning weekly for music they love.
How You Can Apply It
- Segment and Time Communications: If data shows a segment of your audience prefers weekends, schedule emails accordingly for better engagement.
- Offer Customized Product Suggestions: Use purchase or browsing history to make personalized recommendations.
- Leverage Retargeting: Show customers the products they browsed but didn’t buy to remind them of items they’ve shown interest in.
Taking Personalization to Your Email Marketing
Personalized email marketing is one of the most powerful ways to engage customers.
Rather than generic blasts, sending targeted messages based on user behavior and preferences can increase open rates, clicks, and conversions.
For example, segmenting your email list by customer interests or past purchases allows you to deliver content that resonates with each group.
Personalized subject lines, tailored product recommendations, and follow-up emails triggered by customer actions (like cart abandonment or a recent purchase) show that you understand their needs and are ready to meet them.
At Market Me More, we specialize in creating finely tuned email campaigns that leverage segmentation and behavioral insights to deliver personalized experiences. We’ll help you analyze your audience’s data, craft custom email sequences, and optimize timing to ensure every message lands at the right moment.
Pro tip: Study 5 Email Marketing Personalization Strategies That Actually Work here.
6. Mystery Rewards
Mystery rewards add an element of surprise, giving customers a little thrill when they unexpectedly receive something extra. It feels like a “hidden bonus” that can increase loyalty and engagement, as customers are more likely to return, wondering if there’s another surprise waiting.
Real-World Example: How Sephora Keeps Customers Hooked
Beauty giant Sephora often includes surprise samples in online orders. Customers never know exactly what they'll get, which keeps them excited about future purchases and adds a touch of delight to every order.
How You Can Apply It
- Add a Surprise Gift to Orders: Slip in a small freebie or sample with purchases to give customers an extra reason to love your brand.
- Offer Unlockable Discounts: Encourage customers to explore your site or app by letting them unlock secret discounts or gifts when they reach certain milestones.
- Random Acts of Rewards: Surprise loyal customers with an occasional thank-you coupon or free service.
These surprise touches make customers feel valued and create a lasting positive association with your brand.
7. Reverse Psychology Marketing
Reverse psychology turns the usual sales tactics on their heads.
By humorously pointing out a product’s quirks or “limitations,” you humanize your brand and appeal to customers’ curiosity. Plus, highlighting weaknesses can actually make your product seem more trustworthy.
Real-World Example: How BrewDog Keeps It Real
BrewDog, the craft beer company, is known for ads that jokingly “warn” people about their bold flavors.
By poking fun at themselves, BrewDog positions their product as something for adventurous, non-mainstream drinkers—creating curiosity and appeal.
How You Can Apply It
- Highlight a “Flaw” with Humor: Is your product known for something unconventional? Play it up in a way that’s fun and relatable.
- Use Self-Deprecating Humor: Joke about your brand’s limitations to disarm skeptical customers and come across as authentic.
- Challenge Customers: Playfully suggest that only a certain type of person can handle your product, inviting people to prove you wrong.
Reverse psychology creates intrigue and helps customers relate to your brand on a more personal level.
At Market Me More, we have used reverse psychology marketing successfully in several blog posts, where we humorously highlight common challenges and mistakes to resonate with our audience.
Take, for example, "We Made These 10 SEO Mistakes As a Technology Startup That Killed Our Organic Traffic (So You Don’t Have To)". By openly discussing our own missteps, we invite readers to learn from our experiences in a fun, relatable way, which builds trust and makes our advice feel more credible.
This approach helps us connect authentically with businesses looking for honest, transparent insights—not just a sales pitch.
If you’re interested in using similar tactics to connect with your audience, we can help you create content that balances humor, honesty, and reverse psychology.
Get in touch with our team to build your marketing campaign.
8. Small-Scale Influencer Partnerships
Small-scale influencers, or micro-influencers, have smaller but highly engaged audiences. Their recommendations feel more genuine because they’re seen as relatable and accessible, making their endorsements more trusted than those from celebrities.
Real-World Example: How Glossier Thrives with Niche Influencers
Beauty brand Glossier frequently collaborates with micro-influencers who resonate with its target audience. Instead of big names, they work with everyday users and niche beauty enthusiasts, building trust and creating a sense of community around the brand.
How You Can Apply It
- Partner with Niche Experts: Find influencers who specialize in your industry and have dedicated followers who trust their opinions.
- Encourage Authentic Content: Let influencers showcase your product in their own style rather than following a strict script. This enhances credibility.
- Build Long-Term Relationships: Collaborate regularly with micro-influencers to maintain a consistent brand presence and deepen trust with their audience.
Micro-influencers help you reach specific, engaged communities, creating organic word-of-mouth that feels authentic and effective.
9. Interactive Engagement
Interactive engagement, like polls, quizzes, or augmented reality (AR), makes customers active participants rather than passive viewers.
This deeper level of engagement helps customers feel more connected to your brand and gives you valuable insights into their preferences and interests.
Real-World Example: How Starbucks Uses Engagement to Boost Loyalty
Starbucks engages customers through its app, allowing them to customize orders, participate in seasonal polls, and access personalized rewards. This keeps users returning for more and builds a loyal community around the brand.
How You Can Apply It
- Run Polls and Quizzes: Use social media or your website to ask questions or offer quizzes that help customers feel involved.
- Incorporate AR or Interactive Features: For instance, let customers “try on” products virtually or interact with your brand through fun, digital experiences.
- Build Engagement into Your App: Create rewards and customizations that encourage users to return regularly.
Interactive engagement transforms your brand into something customers want to spend time with, making you memorable and relevant.
10. Radical Transparency
Savvy, skeptical consumers often value radical transparency. You can win their hearts by showing that you have nothing to hide.
Openly sharing where your products come from, how they’re priced, or even the challenges you face positions your brand as authentic, relatable, and reliable.
Real-World Example: How Everlane Wins with Transparency
Clothing brand Everlane pioneered “radical transparency” by breaking down the true cost of every product. They share details on production, materials, and pricing, which has earned them a dedicated following of customers who value honesty.
How You Can Apply It
- Share Product Origins: Explain where your products come from and how they’re made, highlighting any ethical practices.
- Be Open About Pricing: Break down product costs to show customers the value they’re getting.
- Address Challenges Honestly: If something goes wrong, communicate openly. Customers appreciate brands that admit their flaws and work to improve.
Radical transparency not only builds trust but also creates a unique selling point that competitors will struggle to match.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the secrets to making your brand unforgettable—without stepping over any lines.
From psychological pricing and scarcity tactics to creating unique brand stories and engaging customers interactively, these strategies give you the edge to stand out in a crowded market.
And here’s where Market Me More can take you from theory to practice. Whether it's helping you design personalized customer experiences, building interactive engagement campaigns, or collaborating with niche influencers, we’re here to help you create a marketing strategy that feels both ethical and impactful.
Think of us as your partner in creating memorable, genuine connections that keep customers coming back.
Ready to turn curiosity into conversions? Let’s make your brand the one they can’t stop talking about. Reach out to Market Me More today and discover the art of influence done right.
