Alice Fox
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Published in Bootcamp
· 9 min read · 23 hours ago
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H ave you ever noticed how some brands just make you feel energized, even before you’ve bought their product or service?
Have you ever booked a luxury stay and, as the confirmation came through, felt a comforting ambiance energize you, motivating and guiding you through the demands of your workdays leading up to your holiday? Or feel calmer and more at peace just by downloading a relaxation app, even if you never actually opened it?
It’s not magic — it’s a modern energy placebo effect at work 🙂 Essentially, it’s all about how brand’s messaging and reputation can create a perception of increased energy.The energy placebo effect can make consumers feel more energized, confident, competent, secure… Let’s take a closer look at how brands tap into our minds and influence our energy levels from physical to digital products.
Backstory In today’s busy world, people are facing increasing pressure to keep up with the demands of daily life.With so many tasks to juggle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and drained of energy .To manage this, many are turning to psychological sources of energy as a solution.
Brands and marketing strategies have been a driving force behind this trend, shaping our beliefs and expectations and even triggering physiological and psychological responses that help us feel more energized and motivated.
The placebo effect is a fascinating phenomenon that highlights the impact of our beliefs on our health and well-being.
As with a sugar pill, the same can happen with brands, where our expectations and perceptions can shape our experiences and energy levels.
The placebo effect in modern branding is a fascinating phenomenon that highlights the power of suggestion and expectation.By creating positive emotional associations around their products and services, brands can create a sense of comfort, excitement, and professionalism that can have a real impact on a person’s behavior and performance.
If you believe a certain brand is going to be great, you’re more likely to have a positive experience with it.Motivation boost Energy placebo effect is especially evident in the world of sports.
Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma rely on this effect to create a sense of motivation in their customers.
The energy boost that comes with putting on a fresh pair of athletic shoes or a new workout outfit is more than just physical — it’s mental too.
Nike, for example, is known for their “Just Do It” slogan and marketing campaigns that emphasize the importance of pushing yourself to achieve your goals.Adidas takes a similar approach with their “Impossible Is Nothing” slogan, which promotes the idea that no goal is too lofty or unattainable.By tapping into the placebo effect of motivation, these brands can inspire their customers to not only feel energized but also to take action towards their fitness and athletic goals.
Professional Aura When we talk about professionalism energy , we’re talking about creating an aura of competence, authority, and respect.Brands like The Wall Street Journal and McKinsey & Company are the kings of projecting this energy.You know what I mean — the Wall Street Journal is the go-to source for accurate and insightful business news and analysis, and McKinsey & Company is renowned for its consulting services.
Just being associated with these reputable brands, seeing The Wall Street Journal displayed on a reception desk, or mentioning McKinsey & Company in conversation can instantly elevate one’s perceived professionalism and instill a sense of confidence and competence in their own work.
Another intriguing dimension of the placebo effect in branding is its potential to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
When consumers believe that a specific brand will enhance their sense of professionalism, this belief can shape their behavior.As a result, they may find themselves demonstrating a higher level of professionalism, which can lead to improved performance in job interviews or business meetings.
Inspiration Flow Energy placebo effect is also evident in the world of creativity.Brands like Apple, Adobe, and Wacom (graphic tablets and styluses) rely on this effect to create inspiration and creative motivation energy in their customers.
Apple is known for their sleek and innovative design aesthetic, which inspires their customers to think outside the box and push the limits of what’s possible (not to mention the productivity of devices).Adobe takes a similar approach with their suite of creative software.The brand’s marketing campaigns emphasize the power of their software to transform ideas into reality, encouraging their customers to unleash their creativity and take their designs to the next level.
Innovation Vibe Innovation energy is perhaps the most desired of all — after all, who doesn’t want to be associated with cutting-edge ideas and groundbreaking products? Tesla is a prime example of a brand that uses the energy placebo effect of innovation to its advantage.From electric cars to the bold, forward-thinking messaging, Tesla creates a sense of innovation that can make you feel like you’re a part of something revolutionary.
Cryptocurrency, with brands like Bitcoin and Ethereum, is another example of a rapidly-evolving industry that relies on the energy of innovation to attract investors and enthusiasts.
By tapping into the energy of innovation, brands can create a sense of excitement and possibility that attracts.
Trust Energy Placebo Trust is everything when it comes to handling our money and health.Banks like European Central Bank, Raiffeisen Switzerland and Bank of America rely on the energy placebo effect of trust to retain customers and attract new ones.
From emphasize reliability and security, these brands create a sense of trust that can make you feel more comfortable entrusting your finances to them.A brand associated with trustworthiness, such as a financial institution or a healthcare provider, can create a sense of security and confidence for its consumers, even if the actual performance is not objectively superior.
Luxury brands create a unique energy of exclusivity, making you feel like you’re at the forefront of style.One-of-a-Kind Sense The uniqueness energy placebo is evident in the way certain brands promote themselves as exclusive and one-of-a-kind.These brands use their unique identity and positioning to create a sense of superiority in their customers.
Fashion brands like Gucci, Prada, and Burberry are prime examples of this.These brands use their iconic logos, signature designs, and limited edition collections to create a sense of exclusivity and rarity that makes their customers feel special and unique.
Even if you’ve never driven one of their sleek sports cars, you know that owning a Ferrarior Lamborghini is associated with speed, power, and an overall sense of excitement.This branding creates a placebo effect that makes you feel like you’re driving faster and more confidently, even if you’re just cruising around in your Honda Civic.
Or consider Tiffany & Co.Diamonds may be forever, but so is the feeling of luxury and sophistication that comes with wearing a piece of Tiffany jewelry.The energy placebo effect is at work here, too — just putting on a Tiffany necklace or bracelet can make you feel like you’re ready to take on the world .
Comfort Ambiance When it comes to hospitality, Kempinski and Four Seasons are two prime examples of brands that use the energy placebo effect to their advantage.Whether you’re lounging by the pool or attending a conference, the ambiance and branding of these hotels can make you feel more energized and confident in your surroundings.
Even before you check in, you can expect a stay filled with luxurious comfort — a feeling that spreads throughout your entire trip.
By emphasizing personalized service, hotel brands for example can create a sense of superiority that makes their guests feel like they are receiving a unique and exclusive experience.
These brands use their identity and positioning to create a sense of superiority that can not be absorbed anywhere else and perfectly sets them apart from their competitors.
Breaking Free Energy The freedom energy placebo effect in branding is all about inspiring customers to break free from their limitations and highlight a sense of adventure, risk-taking, and self-expression.Brands that generate this kind of energy aim to make their customers feel empowered and free to explore new horizons and experiences, encouraging them to push their limits and embrace new challenges.
One brand that has successfully leveraged the freedom energy placebo effect is Harley Davidson.Its brand identity and culture can give people a sense of adventure and freedom, inspiring them to explore new territories and take risks.The brand’s motorcycles represent a symbol of independence and rebellion, appealing to customers who crave the feeling of being in control and on the open road.
And let’s not forget Starbucks.Sure, the caffeine content plays a role in giving you a boost, but it’s also the branding that creates a sense of productivity .
From the green and white logo to the cozy atmosphere of their cafés, Starbucks has perfected the energy placebo effect in the coffee industry 🙂
Placebo Effect in Digital Space The placebo effect in branding is not limited to physical products.It can also be used in the service industry or digital products .In the digital space, the placebo effect can be just as powerful as in the physical world.
Duolingo is another great example of a digital product that generate placebo effect to create a sense of achievement and progress among its users.The app’s gamified approach to language learning, complete with rewards and badges, can create a sense of excitement and motivation, even for those who have only just begun using the app.As users progress through the lessons, they receive regular feedback boosting their confidence, productivity and sense of proficiency.
Sweatcoin is a walking app that pays users to take steps with crypto currency.
By gamifying walking and offering tangible rewards, Sweatcoin encourages users to move more and feel good about themselves .It’s like having a personal cheerleader in your pocket, cheering you on to hit your daily step goal and earn some coins.
TikTok — the social media app that has taken the world by storm — has harnessed the power of the energy placebo effect to create a sense of connection and community among its users.
TikTok has provided a platform for people to express themselves, connect with others, and feel like they are part of something bigger.With features like duets and challenges, TikTok encourages users to engage with one another and collaborate on content, creating a sense of belonging that can be incredibly powerful.
Dating app’s can create a sense of anticipation and energy in its users.Even just the act of scrolling through potential matches can provide a boost of confidence and validation.It’s no wonder that Tinder has become so popular — the app taps into our desire for connection and the thrill of the chase.And for many users, the energy they get from using Tinder can be a real confidence booster, helping them to feel more attractive and outgoing both on and off the app.
These brands use various techniques and features in their digital products to create a sense of energy and motivation in their users, such as gamification, rewards, personalization, and social connection.
Conclusion So, in short, modern branding is all about the energy placebo effect.It’s not just about using a product — it’s about how it gives us a boost ! Like the thrill of zooming in a Ferrari or the fancy vibes of rocking Tiffany jewelry, brands make us feel more energized and capable.
They create different kinds of energy, whether it’s a chill vibe, a professional aura, a trust boost, or an innovative spark, to create their own special “brand magic.” It’s like a sneaky placebo effect that makes us go, “Wow, this brand is the real deal!”
Consumers may feel energized simply because they believe that a particular product or service will give them a boost, even if there is no scientific evidence to support this.
So, the next time you feel energized by a brand’s messaging or reputation, remember that it’s not all in your head — but it’s not all in the product, either.If it helps you feel more confident, capable, and energized, why not dive a little into brand-driven energy? Who knows, maybe just looking at the fancy Bentley car showcased in the showroom will give you the energy to conquer the world..
