Using Countdowns to Build Anticipation and Participation
We’ve all heard (or maybe shouted ourselves) the hyperbolic “I just can’t wait!” at one point or another. Whether it’s waiting on the release of the final installment in your favorite author’s trilogy, or burning with the need to see the next season of your favorite HBO show, oftentimes countdowns can be a nail-biting wait.
In a study titled “Waiting for Merlot,” psychologists determined that “consumers derive value from anticipation, and that value tends to be greater for experiential [purchases] than for material purchases.” In other words, given extra time to countdown to upcoming experiences translates to greater happiness.
No appetite for devouring fiction novels? Not dying to hear news about the upcoming Star Wars film? No worries, countdowns can be useful for so much more! Certainly, there are some events fast-approaching… Is your co-worker’s wedding right around the corner? Are you trying desperately to plan a family reunion to no avail? Is your cousin’s baby shower just one short month away? Do you want to make sure that your webinar sign-ups actually attend?
It’s time to build the anticipation and keep people enthusiastic about your upcoming event. Try these tips for managing your countdown effectively and efficiently:
Connect
Connect to people with the same interests by finding a community of similarly thinking individuals. Embrace your particular interest, and determine the right group of people to connect with. You can find this through a chat group, or an event board where the right people will be eager to chat about the same things. This could mean family, neighbors, friends, or even strangers who have the same unending obsession with how Season 5 ended.
Manage
Manage who is in the know. Make your community feel included, and they will be more excited every passing day. Poll them for new ideas and own the hype. If the event is being publicly broadcast, make the media’s publicity more personal with private channels.
Tune-in
Tune-in consistently to this community. One of the keys to social media is interaction. Mark your calendars, free up some time and plan accordingly. Watch for updates and posts, then put in your two cents.
Publish
Publish content. Share your own stories, photos, videos, and info about the upcoming event, so your network stays up-to-date and on the edge of their seats.
Swap
Swap meaningful information with a strong, seamless interface without the distraction of advertising and unnecessary digital clutter. This info could be music, podcasts, reservation details or release dates. For movie-goers and avid readers: trade theories, discuss your speculations or argue over your favorite characters.
Inspire
Inspire others and get your community hyped about your favorite moments from the last release party, or what you are looking forward to most at the wedding. Help trigger excitement, and you will be surprised at the influx of feedback.
Where should I manage my countdown?
According to Ken Mueller of Inkling Media, the No. 1 reason why people love and use social media is that “we desire community.” Your peers are primarily using social media to connect to a strong network.
GetAssist is a new social media stage offering something never seen before: a meaningful experience. Welcome to a platform where your communication has direction. Whether it’s family, friends, neighbors, or simply strangers that have the same endearing quirks, we allow users to connect with purpose.
Streamline relevant content through the Grapevine, explore topical communities allowing for more detailed information and build your own communities where it is easy to launch a high concentration of promotion or publication, getting other like-minded users excited about your next event.
