We all know the feeling of missing out on something exciting. That fear of missing out, or FOMO, is a powerful motivator for people to take action. As a marketer launching a new product, you can tap into FOMO to make potential customers feel like they need to buy right away before it's too late. Luckily, there are some tried and true tactics to make it look like your product is in high demand and flying off the shelves!
In this post, we'll explore some crafty ways to create FOMO around your new product launch. Get ready to spur your customers into action so they snap up your product before everyone else does!
Use Purchase Notifications
One of the most direct ways to indicate demand for your new product is to show notifications about purchases happening in real-time. These notifications create a sense of urgency and interest in what other people are buying.
For example, if you sell DIY craft supplies, you could have little pop-up messages saying "Sally in Wisconsin just purchased our new wreath making kit." This gives the impression that the product is hot right now and people are actively buying it.
Of course, you want these to seem realistic, not like you're just making up names. Our marketing team will often use a random name generator linked to real locations to make the pop-up messages seem authentic. The key is making each message unique so it doesn't feel fake.
The great thing about purchase notifications is that they work on your website, in your emails, and even in ads on social media. You can amplify the FOMO effect by including these across all your marketing channels when launching your product. Just be careful not to go overboard and make it painfully obvious you're manufacturing urgency.
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Show Real-Time Sales Stats
If you really want to provide proof that your product is in demand, share real-time stats about units sold, conversion rate, or total sales.
For example, we included a ticker on our homepage during a new soap launch showing "12 bars sold in the last hour" that updated dynamically. You could also have a counter like "76 orders placed today" front and center on your launch page.
Seeing the metrics go up and up really emphasizes how many people are buying your product right now. It capitalizes on our innate need to be part of the crowd and join the herd.
Now, you may be wondering how to calculate these real-time stats. Honestly, it can take some work to program dynamic counters that update based on live sales data. Many ecommerce platforms have apps to help with this or you may need to hire a developer.
If that's beyond your capabilities at the moment, you can always fake it till you make it. Manually update a ticker or counter every hour to simulate real-time metrics. The point is less about true accuracy and more about showing momentum and demand.
Feature Influencer Unboxings
User-generated content from influencers can work wonders for building excitement around your new product. Reach out to niche influencers on Instagram or TikTok and send them your product to unbox and review.
When they post about your product, be sure to share their videos and photos across your own social channels. You can even compile their content into a social media gallery or video montage.
Showing influencers receiving, unboxing, and demonstrating your product makes it tangible. Their audiences can imagine what it would feel like to experience the product themselves. Plus, it feels like validation if an influencer they admire is featuring your product.
Pro Tip: Look for micro-influencers in the 10k-100k follower range. Their audiences are small but highly engaged. A single sponsored post from a micro-influencer can sometimes outperform one from an influencer with millions of followers.
Email Alerts for Low Inventory
Here's another way to light a fire under potential customers - send out email alerts warning that inventory levels are running low. These types of scarcity and urgency messages can be really effective at getting people to pull the trigger.
Maybe draft an email with a subject line like "Only 100 Bike Helmets Left in Stock!" and language emphasizing the limited quantities:
"Our shiny new bike helmets have been flying off the warehouse shelves. We're down to our last 100 helmets before they sell out. If you want to keep your head safe on those bumpy trails, grab one of these highly-rated helmets before they're gone!"
Then be sure to follow up after they do sell out with an email like "Bike Helmets Now Sold Out - Sign Up For Restock Updates." You're further capitalizing on FOMO by making people feel like they missed out this time around. Gather their email address so you can notify them when the helmets are back in stock.
To take it up another notch, you can even show remaining inventory on your website. Put "Only 5 left!" badges or indicators on product pages as items become scarce. This converts window shoppers into buyers really quickly.
Pro Tip: Don't falsely claim something is sold out when it's not actually backordered. Nothing kills buyer trust faster than lying about product availability. Only claim limited inventory when it's true.
Highlight Press and Awards
Remind customers that the media and industry experts are buzzing about your new product by showcasing press features and awards. Create a press section on your website with logos of media outlets that covered your launch.
Share articles on social media from journalists who reviewed the product. Repost positive product reviews from credible industry publications. Feature any awards your product has won for design, innovation or quality.
This third party credibility establishes that your product is making waves beyond just your own marketing efforts. It's social proof that your product is living up to the hype.
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Quickly Reshare Happy Customer Content
Your fans and customers are another fantastic source of user-generated content and social proof. Keep an eye out for people posting about your product on social media or reviewing it on your website. When you see happy customers sharing their experience, be sure to swiftly reshare their content.
For example, if someone posts a photo on Instagram saying "Loving my new minimalist wallet from LeatherGoodsCo!" you can re-post that photo on your own Instagram story. Or if a customer gives you a 5-star product review, share that review snippet on your Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Showcasing your actual customers enjoying your product helps make it relatable. Other people can picture themselves in that happy customer's shoes. It also feels more authentic than your own marketing language.
Pro Tip: Always ask for permission before reposting someone's content. Some users prefer to not have their social media posts shared directly by brands.
Limited-Time Offers
Here's a classic way to indicate high demand: limited-time special offers that increase the sense of urgency. You've likely seen language like "40% off for the next 48 hours only!" This puts pressure on interested buyers to act quickly before the deals expire.
Maybe have a flash sale, one-day-only coupon code, or other special promotion during your new product launch. Remind people repeatedly that the deals are only available for a short window so they have to buy now.
You can even gradually increase the scarcity and FOMO. Start with a 50% off coupon code during the first week of launch. Then a 40% off code during the second week. Finally, a 30% off code the third week before phasing out the discounts. This progressively increasing pressure keeps driving sales momentum.
Pro Tip: Avoid overusing limited-time offers which can make your product seem constantly discounted. Use them sparingly to maximize their impact.
Share User Testimonials
Here's one more way to leverage your happy existing customers: collect and share great user testimonials about your product. Feature them prominently on your homepage, product pages and in advertisements.
For example, pull a testimonial quote like "This new phone case is so sleek and protective. I don't have to worry about dropping my phone anymore. 5 stars!" - John S.
Ask customers during checkout or through email surveys if they're willing to provide a testimonial. Then get their permission to share their name, location and feedback. Don't just make up fake testimonials - use real words from real customers.
Prominently displaying enthusiastic user testimonials provides social proof of your product's quality and value. They often carry more weight than your own marketing copy about how great your product is.
Pro Tip: Video testimonials take it a step further by showing the actual delighted customer talking about their experience. But written testimonials work great too.
Wow, we just zipped through a ton of tactics to generate FOMO and make your product look hot and in-demand! As a quick recap, some of the top tips included:
Purchase notifications
Real-time sales stats
Influencer unboxings
Low inventory alerts
Press and awards
Resharing customer content
Limited-time offers
User testimonials
Not all of these may be feasible when you're just getting started. Pick a couple that seem most realistic for your brand and product launch. As you gain momentum, you can experiment with adding more tactics into your FOMO toolkit.
The key is finding ways to tangibly demonstrate that people are chomping at the bit to get their hands on your amazing new offering. Use these insider strategies to spark a fear of missing out that motivates customers to buy right away.
Let us know if you give any of these tactics a try for your next product launch! We'd love to hear what works to get more customers snatching up your inventory. Feel free to reach out with any other questions. Now get out there and start manufacturing some serious FOMO!
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