influence-psychology

Audit each section against the seven principles: add authority signals like credentials, social proof with specific user numbers, reciprocity through free value, and honest scarcity for real deadlines. Score each element 0-10 and iterate on the lowest-scoring areas first.

The principles are reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, scarcity, and unity. Each describes a psychological shortcut people use when deciding to comply with requests, and each has specific product and copy applications.

Only use scarcity tied to real limits: actual stock counts, genuine event deadlines, or legitimate beta capacity. Never use resetting countdown timers, fake low-stock claims, or artificial urgency, as these destroy trust when discovered.

Specific user counts, testimonials from similar customers, expert endorsements, and third-party certifications like SOC 2 perform best. Similar-others proof is strongest, so show startups proof from startups rather than generic enterprise logos.

Avoid influence tactics when targeting vulnerable groups, when claims cannot be truthful, or when the tactic locks users into irreversible commitments. Persuasion should help users see genuine value, not trick them into choices against their interests.