How to Create FOMO in Your Emails: A Guide to Boosting Sales

Turn Your Email Campaigns into Must-Click Opportunities

What is FOMO? FOMO, or the Fear of Missing Out, is a psychological trigger that makes people anxious about missing out on something exciting or valuable. In the world of handmade businesses, it’s a powerful marketing tool that can prompt your customers to take immediate action. By tapping into this fear, you can drive more engagement, increase sales, and build buzz around your products. So, how can you create that feeling of urgency and exclusivity in your email campaigns?

How to Create FOMO in Your Emails

1. Use Limited-Time Offers

One of the most effective ways to incite FOMO is by creating limited-time offers. When your customers know they only have a small window to grab your products at a special price, they’re more likely to act fast.

Pro Tip: When I launched a limited edition of my handmade candles, I sent out an email with a "48-Hour Flash Sale" in the subject line. Inside the email, I added a countdown timer to emphasize the ticking clock. The result? A 35% increase in sales within the first 24 hours.

How to Do It:

• Clearly state the time limit in both the subject line and the email body.

• Use phrases like "Only 24 Hours Left!" or "Ends at Midnight!" to amplify the urgency.

• Include a countdown timer in your email (more on this below).

  
  

2. Highlight Low Stock or Limited Quantity

If your handmade products are in limited supply, make sure to highlight this in your emails. Knowing that a product could sell out quickly creates a sense of urgency and encourages customers to buy immediately rather than wait.

Pro Tip: I once ran a "Limited Stock Alert" campaign for a new bath bomb collection. By using phrases like "Only 10 Left in Stock!" in my email, I was able to sell out within 48 hours. Customers love feeling like they’ve snagged something exclusive.

How to Do It:

• Use language such as "Hurry, Only 5 Left!" or "Stock Running Low!"

• Be honest—don’t create false scarcity, as this can damage customer trust.

  
  

3. Offer Early Access to VIPs

Another way to create FOMO is by offering early access to your most loyal customers or email subscribers. This makes them feel special and valued while also adding urgency for others to join your VIP list.

Pro Tip: Before launching my latest fragrance collection, I sent an "Exclusive Early Access" email to my VIP subscribers, allowing them to shop the collection 24 hours before anyone else. This approach not only drove sales but also increased sign-ups for my VIP list by 20%.

How to Do It:

• Use phrases like "Exclusive Early Access for VIPs" or "Get First Dibs on Our New Collection."

• Create a sense of privilege by making the offer seem exclusive to a select group.

  
  

4. Incorporate Countdown Timers

A visual countdown timer adds a sense of urgency, allowing customers to see exactly how much time they have left to act. It’s an effective way to push customers from thinking to clicking.

Tools to Use:

• Sendtric: Free and easy to use; generates a countdown timer you can embed in your emails.

• CountdownMail: Offers more customization options and works seamlessly with email platforms like Klaviyo and Mailchimp.

  
  

Pro Tip: In my pre-BFCM campaign, I added a countdown timer using Sendtric to emphasize the limited-time offer. The real-time countdown created a buzz among my subscribers, leading to a 50% increase in click-through rates.

5. Add Social Proof

Including customer testimonials, reviews, or showcasing what others are buying can create FOMO by showing that others are already taking advantage of your offer.

Pro Tip: I added a "Recent Purchases" section to one of my emails, highlighting top-selling products along with glowing customer reviews. This subtle addition created a ripple effect, leading to more sales as customers didn’t want to miss out on the "must-have" products everyone was talking about.

How to Do It:

• Use phrases like "Loved by Our Community" or "See What Others Are Buying."

• Include product reviews or a "Top Picks" section in your email.

  
  

6. Use Exclusive Language

Words like "Exclusive," "Only for You," and "VIP Access" make customers feel special and increase the fear of missing out. This strategy works wonders when combined with a limited-time offer or early access.

Pro Tip: I used the phrase "Only for Our VIPs: 24-Hour Early Access" in a recent campaign, and it drove a 30% increase in early-bird purchases. Customers love the feeling of being part of an exclusive club!

Tools for Adding FOMO Elements to Your Emails

• Klaviyo: A powerful email marketing tool that lets you add countdown timers, segment your audience, and personalize emails based on customer behavior.

• Mailchimp: Another versatile platform that offers tools for limited-time promotions, segmentation, and adding dynamic content like countdowns.

• CountdownMail: Helps you create and embed countdown timers into your email campaigns to visually drive urgency.

• FOMO: An app that displays notifications of recent purchases on your website, adding social proof and enhancing the FOMO effect for visitors.

  
  

FOMO is more than just a trend; it’s a proven strategy to drive action. By using the right tools and language, you can turn your email campaigns into must-click opportunities!

Question: 

How are you creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity in your email campaigns to boost sales?