----- [Part 1 of FOMO Marketing for Startups] ----- The Psychology behind the Fear of Missing Out In this blog, we’ll be tackling a spectacle that has taken e-commerce to a whole new different level. It is none other than the fear of missing out or “FOMO”. FOMO is not a new phenomenon. It’s probably as old as human civilization itself, as it is rooted in man’s social nature. However, it has emerged as an indispensable marketing tool over the last decade, as various businesses have learned to use the internet to influence purchasing behavior. Experts have numerous definitions of the concept, but FOMO can be thought of as anxiety arising from envying missed experiences. People, being social creatures, instinctively compare themselves with others. Social media forces them to compare the plain versions of themselves to others’ glamorized personas, rousing feelings of inadequacy, which is why FOMO is observed in more than half of social media users. FOMO is widely used in marketing because: 1 out of3 individuals is anxious about missing out and feeling like an outsider. 4 out of10 social media users post about a purchase at least once a year. 7 out of10 people purchase within 24 hours after seeing a peer’s experience with a product or service. 3 out of4 online shoppers experience FOMO while looking for products. FOMO affects people of all ages, but the most vulnerable are the millennials. The business landscape is now shaped by this important group’s purchasing power and habits, so it would be a colossal mistake for growing businesses to overlook them. CONTENT Millennials and the Fear of Missing Out Known FOMO Triggers FOMO in Business Millennials and the Fear of Missing Out According to the Pew Research Center, the US Census Bureau classifies everybody born in the years 1981-1996 as a millennial. Therefore, all of them are now of working age, and they are a sizable force in the market too. As of 2017, there are 56 million American millennials. This group is the largest in the American workforce, making up 35%. Millennials comprise 54% of US online shoppers. American millennials spend up to $600 billion yearly, and their spending is expected to increase as they get better jobs. About 7 out of 10 millennials experience FOMO. They are prone to it because they have an extended self-determination phase—a consequence of advanced education stretching the period of adolescence. They are socially and environmentally conscious. They crave for personal connections, but also value individuality. Note that, even with their purchasing capacity, many millennials are practical and love good deals. Known FOMO Triggers The fear of missing out can be elicited by the following: Scarcity Opportunities and objects are seen as more valuable when they become less available. People generally want more of the things that they cannot have or that they think are rare. Impulse buying can be subliminally triggered by lines like “almost out of stock” and “only one left.” Apparent scarcity, associated with lines such as “VIP Club” and “members’ exclusive deals,” is also thought to drive brand loyalty. Urgency People may develop the urge to buy immediately because they can overestimate their present needs compared to future ones. Such feelings can be induced by lines like “For a limited time only” and “Deal of the Day.” Black Friday promos may set off urgency. They can make people forget that a half-price giant TV set bought now will double their electric consumption later. Emotional appeal People desire items that have pleasant characteristics, such as aesthetics, fragrance, sweet taste, etc. Desire is related to FOMO marketing’s emotional component and can evoke impulse purchasing. Aside from its inherent attributes, the following external factors (meaning, those belonging to the beholder) influence an item’s emotional attractiveness: CULTURE FINANCIAL STATE AGE GENDER PERSONAL EXPERIENCES TIME-RELATED FACTORS LOCATION-RELATED FACTORS Starbucks-branded items appeal to millennials, who perceive them as symbols of environmental consciousness, if not prestige. Jealousy Humans thirst for social connections but experience anxiety when they notice that they lack the nice things that others have. Social media fires up such feelings, and loss aversion motivates people to buy. Witnessing friends travel, meet social media icons or go to concerts can induce envy in some individuals, making them want to do the same activities. Jealousy may also explain the effectiveness of celebrity or influencer endorsement. Learn More: Can’t find what you are looking for? Explore all of our Direct Thermal Labels in standard sizes. Buy Cheap Dymo Shipping Labels at enKo Products! Shop a variety of sizes for our Brother DK Labels. FOMO marketing tends to stir some negative feelings, so it should be used carefully as a promotional tactic. Too much of it may backfire on your business. However, crafty FOMO strategies are powerful customer magnets. FOMO in Business The internet can be a cost-effective marketing tool. When used wisely, it can induce FOMO and produce the following benefits: Consumer loyalty Social media communication is bidirectional. Businesses can engage their customers, and the latter can express their wishes and complaints in the comments sections. When business owners listen to feedback, it makes consumers feel valued and develop brand loyalty. Upsurge in sales Impulse buying can be elicited by seeing others’ experiences, celebrity endorsements and having a sense of urgency. People who consider themselves as frugal can make unplanned purchases when offered immediately expiring “rare” deals. Word-of-mouth endorsements When real people post about their positive experiences with a product, they create “social proof” that it is desirable. Such word-of-mouth endorsement can spread to a wide audience, cost-effectively enhancing brand popularity. It can go viral if the post comes from someone famous. Increased support for noble causes Lastly, as when celebrity endorsements are involved, FOMO marketing can enhance social awareness and support for community programs. For example, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation relies on the actor’s popularity to raise ecological awareness. Conclusion FOMO marketing involves the smart use of social media to draw clients and build brand loyalty. It attracts millennials, though it can appeal to people of all ages. Startups should consider planning FOMO campaigns, as customer engagement through social media is known to efficiently and cost-effectively boost sales. 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