Digital psychologyDecision035

Fresh Start Effect

New beginnings make people more willing to act on their intentions.

What it is

Mondays, new months, birthdays, new financial years and the first day back from holiday all feel like clean slates. People are more open to starting, switching and committing at these moments. Timing an offer or a prompt to a natural fresh start borrows that energy.

The research

Searches for "diet", gym visits and goal commitments all spiked at temporal landmarks such as the start of a week, month or year, independent of other factors.

Dai, Milkman and Riis, 2014

How to use it

Launch on landmarks

New financial year for B2B, January and September for consumer. Campaign timing is a lever.

Frame the offer as a reset

"Start the quarter with a clean pipeline" is a fresh start. "Buy CRM software" is not.

Related

Sources that shaped this entry: growth.design.

Let’s bring your idea to life

Tell me about your business and what you want digital marketing to do for it. I’ll come back with an honest view on whether I can help.

Or reach me directly at ben@compoundgrowth.au