When creating a reason for a prospect to act now, having any reason at all is better than having no reason. Citing research where people complied with a request simply because a reason was given (even a nonsensical one), the insight is to always attach a 'because' to your CTAs to boost response.
Related Insights
A generic button like "Submit" is a wasted opportunity. The call-to-action is your last chance to persuade the user. Treat its copy as a critical sales variable and A/B test compelling, action-oriented phrases like "Yes, I'm in" to maximize conversions.
Instead of directing users to a landing page with a form, ask them to simply reply to the email with a keyword to receive a guide or discount. This reduces friction and can exponentially increase the number of people who take the desired action compared to traditional methods.
Standard calls-to-action like "Request a Demo" provide no immediate value to the user. Reframe the form's purpose as an attractive offer, such as "Save 20% Today," to shift the focus from what the company wants to what the user gets.
Marketers often over-optimize form fields while ignoring the core value exchange. A weak call to action like "Request a Demo" offers no immediate value. A strong, front-and-center offer (e.g., "Save 20% Today") is the primary motivator for a user to provide their information.
Rephrase call-to-action buttons from a brand command (e.g., "Donate Now") to a user's first-person statement (e.g., "Yes, I want to help"). This simple change in perspective makes the user an active participant, significantly increasing engagement and click-through rates on emails, landing pages, and social media posts.
The text on the final submission button is a critical, often-overlooked variable. Generic words like "Submit" are weak. A/B test active, benefit-oriented phrases like "Yes, I'm In" or "Send It My Way" to properly close the deal.
Motivation alone is insufficient for driving behavior. To increase conversions, marketers must provide a specific trigger—a time, place, or mood—for the action. This 'implementation intention' acts as a catalyst, converting desire into action, as demonstrated by campaigns like Snickers' 'You're not you when you're hungry.'
The idea of sending 'value-only' emails without a call to action is flawed. Solving a customer's problem *is* the value, and your product is the tool for that solution. Including a path to purchase in every email respects the customer's intent and provides critical data on which messages resonate.
Asking for a prospect's time or interest is less effective than giving them something valuable. Emails that include a tangible offer (e.g., a benchmark, an audit, a unique insight) see a 28% higher reply rate. You get their time by not asking for it directly.
To make a sale irresistible, your offer must contain five key elements: a clear transformation (outcome), rapid delivery (speed), fear removal (risk reversal), a reason to buy now (scarcity), and a proprietary method for achieving the result (unique mechanism).
