Experienced brands develop their ability to influence customers through color to get them to shop – and McDonald’s has embraced this approach in fast food. The researchers note that the red color stimulates the appetite, and yellow one means happiness, optimism, and friendliness. Furthermore, red and yellow are the colors of two classic McDonald’s condiments – ketchup and mustard. The McDonald’s logo reminds people of the pleasure they experience when eating fries with typical sauces. The large yellow “M” in the company’s logo resembles fries, encouraging the person to have a meal. The next time you see the McDonald’s logo and imagine that you are famished, it might not be hunger but a reaction to the carefully selected red and yellow insignia that evokes such emotions.
In the field of fashion, red is connected with attractiveness and sexuality. This first association is the legendary black shoes with red soles of the Christian Louboutin fashion house. Elegant, but at the same time, bright and daring shoes with red feet seem to call “Follow me,” especially for men. Therefore, the colors in both brands seem to encourage the consumer to take action: eat this succulent burger or buy exceptional shoes. Moreover, red is the color of victory and both brands are among the most successful companies in the world.
The above examples of the use of color in brands are typical marketers’ techniques to draw attention to the brand and increase sales. The use of numbers: 30 days instead of 1 month or 70 products for $29 rather than the other way around, is also an example of the influence of the psychology of numbers on a customer. Obtrusive, wordless, and with a certain pace, music sets the buyer up for a calm, measured, and deliberate choice of purchases. Quantity is also substantial because when a customer sees a limited supply, it prompts him to purchase. The goods’ location is also no less significant: it is no coincidence that bread is located in the farthest corner. Moreover, a slogan is not a randomly chosen phrase but a diligently developed and scrupulously selected by marketers’ tool that increases the company’s visibility, its commercial success, and product sales.
Task 2 a brief reply to my two examples
Colors evoke associations in people that they often do not even realize. For example, blue is not just the color of water or the sky, but it inspires confidence and calmness at the subconscious level. It is important to note that color perception is influenced by age, sex, cultural affiliation, and personal preferences. Although it is a difficult task to gratify everyone, the psychology of colors will help understand what associations and, therefore emotions, specific colors induce in the majority of people. Thus, the use of particular colors helps the company to shape the desired image, increase sales, and inspire consumer confidence.
To achieve commercial success, an enterprise must not only ensure high quality of goods, determine an effective pricing policy and choose optimal sales channels, but also develop a strategy for marketing communications with the consumer. Marketing techniques will always work because they are based on psychological principles that remain the same. However, when using these marketing tips, it is important not to mislead the consumers but to build a trusting relationship with the client for the long term.