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5 Pricing Psychology To Increase Revenue For Your Business
Greetings, fellow entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts! It's Tuesday and I am back with another sneak peek into the marketing world!
Picture this: you're standing in front of two identical coffee shops. The aroma is intoxicating, the ambience inviting, but there's a catch. One café offers your favourite brew for $100, while the other lists it at $99. So, which one do you choose?
Chances are you'll join the countless others who've unknowingly fallen prey to the beguiling charms of pricing psychology, opting for the ₹99 cup of joe. But why?
Welcome to the mesmerizing world of pricing psychology, where even the tiniest nuance in numbers can sway our decisions and alter our perceptions. It's a phenomenon that we encounter daily, often without realizing its profound impact on our choices.
In this newsletter, we'll unravel five powerful pricing psychology tactics that have catapulted renowned brands to staggering revenue heights. Get ready for a thrilling journey into the art and science of pricing!
5 Pricing Psychology To Increase Revenue For Your Business
#1 The Charm of the Number 9
Coming back to your coffee cup of $99. It is a classic example of what's known as "charm pricing." It's a simple yet incredibly effective strategy that plays on human psychology. Our brains tend to focus on the left-most digit when processing prices, making ₹99 feel significantly cheaper than $100.
Let's take a quick trip down memory lane to illustrate. In the early 2000s, JC Penney, a retail giant, decided to ditch its traditional pricing strategy and experiment with "everyday low prices." It seemed like a reasonable idea, right? Wrong! Shoppers were baffled, and sales plummeted. The company lost over $4 billion in revenue in just one year!
Meanwhile, Kohl's, a competitor, embraced the power of charm pricing. They used price tags ending in .99 and .95 and watched their revenue soar. By making items appear just a tad cheaper, they attracted more shoppers who couldn't resist a "deal."
#2 The Art of Bundling
Have you ever been to a fast-food joint and noticed a combo meal that offers a burger, fries and a drink for less than if you ordered them separately? Congratulations, you've just encountered the magic of bundling!
Bundling is a pricing psychology strategy that combines related products or services into a single package at a reduced price. It taps into our desire for convenience and perceived value.
One standout example is Amazon Prime. By bundling fast shipping, streaming services and exclusive discounts into one subscription, they've amassed over 200 million loyal members. In 2020 alone, Amazon Prime generated an estimated $25 billion in revenue!
#3 The Power of Decoy Pricing
Decoy pricing involves offering a third option that's strategically priced to make the second option seem like a no-brainer.
We explored this topic in-depth in our 2nd newsletter issue, using the iPhone as an illustrative example. You can revisit the discussion by following this link
#4 The Psychology of Scarcity
"Act now, while supplies last!" – We've all seen these urgency-inducing phrases before. They tap into the psychology of scarcity, a powerful tool to boost sales and revenue.
When we believe something is scarce or in high demand, we're more inclined to buy it quickly for fear of missing out. Look at the fashion industry, where brands like Louis Vuitton excel in leveraging scarcity to their advantage. Louis Vuitton releases limited edition handbags or accessories, often in collaboration with famous designers or artists. They market these items as exclusive, with phrases like "Limited to 100 pieces worldwide" or "Available for a limited time only."
This strategy taps into the desire for uniqueness and exclusivity among fashion-conscious consumers. Shoppers rush to secure these limited items, fearing they won't get another chance. The allure of owning something rare and coveted drives sales and boosts brand loyalty.
#5 Subscription Model with a Free Trial
The subscription model combined with a free trial is a potent strategy in today's digital landscape. It allows customers to experience a product or service before committing to a subscription. During the trial period, users often become accustomed to the offering, increasing the likelihood of conversion to paid subscribers.
Spotify Premium, the music streaming service, offers a unique annual subscription plan with a 3-month free trial for eligible users. By providing a 3-month free trial for the yearly plan, Spotify encourages users to commit to a longer-term subscription. This strategy not only boosts revenue but also enhances user loyalty and engagement, as subscribers have extended access to Spotify's vast music library. As of June 2023, Spotify's revenue was $3.464B, a 13.66% increase year-over-year.
Dear readers, these tactics and the stories behind them are just the tip of the iceberg in the intriguing world of pricing psychology. It's important to realize that every purchase we make is influenced by the principles of pricing psychology. So, when you're in the pricing wizard's seat for your product or service, don your psychological sorcerer's hat and conjure up these mind-bending effects to work their enchantment in your favour!
Until our next rendezvous, keep your curiosity alive and your business thriving!
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