"But aren't people indecisive?" - Marketing For Hippies

The notion that people struggle to make decisions is one of the classic premises used to justify pushy and manipulative sales techniques.

This notion that ‘people have a hard time making decisions’ is one of those core beliefs about humanity that feels similar to the notion that ‘kids won’t learn unless we bribe them with gold stars, grades and punishment’.

If I believe that you need what I have (which is the first thought worth questioning) and that you have a hard time deciding things (the second thought work questioning) then I will manipulate you. Those two thoughts are all I need to justify my use of pressure-filled, sneaky tactics to get you to say ‘yes’ to working with me.

If we are willing to accept that we have no idea if others need what we’re offering and we let go of the idea that deciding is hard then what we’re left with is that some people decide to work with us and some don’t.We can see potential customers as capable human beings who are in the process of making difficult decisions. Some of them will be a go... See more

They’re not indecisive, they’re just not sure it’s a fit. They’re not sure it’s worth the investment. They’re not sure it’s the best use of their money. They’re not indecisive, they’re deciding.And our job is to facilitate the decision-making process (whether that’s towards a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’).

Human beings are not inherently indecisive.But, if you believe it, you might just become inherently pushy and hard to be around.