There’s a lot of business and marketing advice that promotes sales strategies built around urgency, scarcity, and assertiveness to push people into buying. But are these approaches aligned with every brand? And what might they be quietly costing you in the long run?

The premise behind these tactics is simple: trigger an underlying sense of fear, such as missing out or losing an opportunity, and people will act fast. And sometimes, they do.

I’m not saying these strategies don’t work. They can, especially if your goal is quick sales. If you were running a low-cost lightbulb company, these approaches might not be so out of place.

But if your vision is to build a high-value brand, one that radiates quality, beauty, and a sense of refinement, and that grows steadily with a loyal community, these strategies can often devalue your brand perception.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t need to push, shout, or convince? If customers were drawn to you naturally, not just because of what you sell, but because of how your brand makes them feel?

In a marketplace constantly saying “buy now,” “don’t miss out,” or “only two left,” there’s something powerful about a brand that lets people breathe. When you remove the urgency language and let customers move in their own way, you’re not just creating space, you’re communicating confidence.

A leaned back energy signals that your brand doesn’t need to convince. It knows its value. People feel that. They also feel respected as people, rather than pressured, which creates a sense of emotional safety. So as a whole, they are drawn to your confidence, and feel like they can trust you.

1. Use soft invitations instead of hard promises

WHY IT WORKS

When product descriptions or taglines make bold promises like “Transform your skin in 7 days,” they can end up feeling performative or sensationalist. Even subconsciously, they can trigger doubt or skepticism.

On the other hand, soft invitations often feel more grounded and trustworthy. “Created to nurture your skin into its natural radiance” is more subtle, yet still compelling. It honours your customer’s intelligence and autonomy, and invites them to experience your product, rather than convince them of its worth.

(Side note: If your product has scientifically proven benefits, you can absolutely share them, as long as every claim is supported by credible evidence.)

HOW TO SHIFT THE ENERGY

Replace hard promises with soft invitations. Instead of heavy persuasion, welcome people to explore what’s possible. For example:

• A candle that will completely relax you → Crafted to invite calm into your space

• The only face serum you’ll ever need → Made to support your natural glow

• A gut healing tea like no other → Formulated to support digestive balance from the inside out

2. Honour people’s timing and choice

WHY IT WORKS

Scarcity and urgency trigger stress. High-value buyers purchase from a calm, empowered state, not from fear of missing out. When you allow space for people to decide, you reinforce the sense that your brand is grounded, confident, and respectful. This becomes the foundation for long-term customer loyalty.

HOW TO SHIFT THE ENERGY

Avoid using phrases like “limited time only” or “only 3 left” on your product pages. This kind of language creates unnecessary pressure that doesn’t align with a premium brand experience.

Instead, communicate specialness over scarcity. For example, incorporate limited edition products and collections which come in limited quantities to honour the intricate creation process. This reframes the experience from fear-based urgency to thoughtful quality, inviting your customers to value the care, artistry and intention behind your creations.

3. Use ‘call-to-actions’ minimally and consciously

WHY IT WORKS

Most people don’t like being told to buy. Call-to-actions should feel like an invitation, rather than a demand. This creates a sense of respect for your customer and space for them to make clear decisions without subtle pressure. The result is a shopping experience that feels calm and easeful.

HOW TO SHIFT THE ENERGY

Subtle changes in your button copy can make a difference to how people feel on your site. For example:

• Shop Now → Explore Our Pieces

• Shop Gifts → Find the Perfect Gift

• Buy Now → Add to Bag

• Pay Now → Place Order

• Subscribe to Our List → Join Our Community

See how these call-to-actions gently move people along the shopping journey in a way that feels calm, inviting, and self-directed.

On Instagram, use call-to-actions sparingly. Let your content – the story, the visuals, the value – do the guiding. When your Instagram is connected to your website shop, customers can purchase simply by tapping a tagged product. This ease is far more effective than explicit prompts like ‘buy now’ or ‘shop today’, which can feel slightly misaligned for premium and luxury brands.

Soft call-to-actions like “read the post on our blog” or “listen to the episode through the link in bio” maintain a high-value tone because they guide people toward valuable experiences, rather than transactions.

A leaned back energy doesn’t undersell your product, it elevates it. It signals your confidence and respect, so that instead of pushing people toward a sale, you invite them into an experience.

When your tone feels calm, spacious, and assured, it mirrors the emotional state your ideal customer desires. They begin to associate your brand with those same feelings of ease, strengthening the brand connection.

The relationship you cultivate with your customers is a strong part of what inspires their loyalty. And when many loyal customers come together, you have a community. A community that will carry your brand much further than quick sales ever could.