Have you ever wondered how shopping network channels can sell just about anything, no matter what the item is? I’m about to give you their secret! It’s called emotional triggers. They use these triggers, and there is an endless list of them, to cause people to feel like they “have to” buy whatever is being sold.

Let’s give this a try on an off the wall, made-up product. I just asked my eight year old daughter to come up with a crazy, silly product that someone might buy. The first thing that came to her head was “tree worms,” so let’s try that. (I know, sounds really silly!) She describes them as “kinda like gummy worms, but they have caramel inside, like sap from a tree!”

Okay. So first let’s list some of the emotional triggers that we can use.

1. Satisfy Curiosity

2. Make Money

3. Save Time

4. Avoid Effort

5. Achieve Comfort

6. Enjoy Health

7. Be Popular

8. Gain Pleasure

9. Enhance Enjoyment

10. Feel Clean

11. Be Praised and Admired

12. Be In Style

13. Satisfy Appetite

14. Own Beautiful Possessions

15. Be Independent

16. Attract Opposite Sex

17. Emulate Others

18. Take Advantage of Opportunities

19. Get a Surprise

20. Be Successful

21. Make Work Easier

22. Gain Prestige

23. Be Sociable

24. Express Creativity

25. Be Efficient

That’s a long list, but we are going to try to use as many of them as we can. As I write the “advertisement,” I will put the number of the emotional trigger that I am using in parentheses. Here goes!

I don’t know if you’ve heard (1), but there is a great new item on the market. It’s called “Tree Worms!” These new and exciting (12) snacks are super yummy and super healthy, (6) because they are made with real fruit.

They look a lot like “gummy worms,” but they’re better, because when you bite into one, you will be the envy of all your friends. (11) Tree Worms have a special surprise on the inside. (19) Creamy, gooey caramel will melt in your mouth as you enjoy (9) the chewy goodness of the gummy. (8)

The caramel will also keep you from getting hungry, (13) so you won’t have to go looking for another snack before mealtime. (3) Your belly will be satisfied (5) and so will your pocketbook, because Tree Worms are on sale for a low introductory price. (2)

You and your friends (23) will have fun playing with Tree Worms by bending them into different shapes (24) before popping them into your mouth. Tree Worms can easily be used as a party favor. (4) Simply slip a few into a party bag for your guests, and be the “talk of the town”. (7)

Your work day will seem to go so much quicker (21) with a fun bag of Tree Worms on your desk. Offer them to your co-workers for a fun and silly snack! (22)

So don’t forget to pick up a bag of Tree Worms today (18) so you can start enjoying your own yummy, gooey snack!

Wow! We used 18 out of 25 of the emotional triggers! I’d say that’s pretty good. Now all you have to do is substitute your own product or service. As you practice, you will get better at coming up with ways to satisfy people’s emotional triggers with whatever you are selling.

Make sure you look for the “reason” someone would want to buy your product or service, and you will be able to write an irresistible offer.