Scarcity
The scarcity heuristic is the tendency to see things as more valuable when they are rare or in short supply.
Motivation
Description:
Scarcity is like a rare diamond: the harder it is to get, the more valuable it seems. Think about a limited-edition toy or a special pair of shoes that only a few people can own.
Because these things are scarce, they suddenly become much more desirable, even if they aren't actually better than other toys or shoes.
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Principles
- The less available an item is, the more desirable it becomes.
- Once people value something due to its scarcity, they may continue to value it even when it becomes more available.
- Scarcity can overshadow rational decision-making.
- Scarcity can trigger a fear of missing out (FOMO). The potential of losing access to something can motivate people to act.
How to apply?
- Offer a limited number of digital product copies or restrict access for a certain period.
- Display countdown timers on your website for special deals or release dates to emphasize limited availability.
- Offer special discounts or bonuses to customers who purchase or sign up early.
- Display the number of people who have bought the product or are currently viewing it to signal high demand.
- Create digital products tied to specific events or seasons, available only for a limited time.
- Check with A/B testing what scarcity message works best for your audience
Examples:
Giorgio Armani

NTWRK

Chat GPT

Nike

Giorgio Armani

NTWRK

Chat GPT

Nike

Clubhouse

Raya


Temu

Youtube

Airbnb

Kayak

AI GPT Prompt
About
Experiment with this prompt to get ideas on how to use Scarcity for engagement and retention in your product.
Technique
Chain-Of-Thought
AI Type
LLM
Prompt
Propose a methodology for employing time-limited events within apps to drive engagement and encourage regular user interaction. Identify types of events, such as special challenges, exclusive content releases, or community-driven activities, that could be made scarce to increase their appeal. Plan how to introduce these events to users, ensuring they are aware of the time-sensitivity and exclusivity. Evaluate expected outcomes in terms of user participation and engagement, and anticipate how to adapt strategies based on user feedback and behavior patterns.