How to Trick the Buyer Journey (And Make Them Love You for It)

CrisMay 18, 2025

The Invisible String That Leads to Trust

Imagine walking into a store just to have a look. Twenty minutes later, you’re at the checkout with a smile and a new toy you didn’t know you needed. That wasn’t luck. It was designed. A journey. One that felt so seamless, you never questioned it.

Now imagine doing that online. For your brand. For your business.

This post is about ethically tricking the buyer journey. Not with shady tactics. But with psychology, storytelling, and a little marketing sorcery that turns strangers into fans, and fans into paying customers.

The Buyer Journey Is Not a Funnel. It’s a Love Story

Let’s ditch the idea that the buyer journey is some dry funnel or traffic calculator. Think of it as dating.

You don’t propose marriage in the first DM. First, you spark curiosity. Then you connect, build trust, and make them feel seen. Eventually, they say, “I choose you.”

As legendary copywriter Eugene Schwartz said:

“You cannot create desire. You can only channel it.”

Your job? Be the guide. Not the guru. Not the pushy salesperson. The trusted narrator who helps them move from “Who is this?” to “I can’t live without this.”

Step One — Don’t Sell. Diagnose.

Nobody likes a cold pitch. But everyone loves to feel understood.

Think of your offer like medicine. If you hand people a pill without listening to their symptoms, they tune out. But if you say, “Ah, sounds like you’re dealing with fatigue and stress. Here’s something that helped hundreds of people like you…”

Now they listen.

Tools like quiz funnels, mini-assessments, or “choose your path” email opt-ins are powerful here. They shift the vibe from “I’m here to sell you” to “Let’s figure out what’s best for you.”

Example:

“What Type of Affiliate Marketer Are You? (Take the Quiz)”
“Struggling to Grow Your List? Discover Which of These 3 Mistakes You’re Making”

Diagnosis builds trust. It also creates intent. And intent is marketing gold.

Step Two — Make Them Feel Smart for Wanting You

Good marketing isn’t about showing off. It’s about helping the prospect feel clever for choosing you.

David Ogilvy said it best:

“The consumer isn’t a moron. She’s your wife.”

When you show your audience the logic behind the offer (not just the offer itself), they feel like they discovered it. That little spark of “Aha! That makes so much sense!” is what drives conversion.

Use educational content, stories, and customer journeys that subtly say:

“You’re right to be interested. Smart people are already doing this.”

Let them connect the dots.

Step Three — Mirror Their Pain (Then Add Salt)

This one’s fun. Because it’s where you go full Sherlock Holmes.

When you describe your audience’s pain better than they can, they automatically assume you have the solution.

Example:

“You’ve posted 47 TikToks and have 6 leads. You’re up at 2AM, Googling ‘best lead magnet ideas’ while your coffee goes cold.”

Boom. They nod. They laugh. They relate.

And then, you add salt:

“And while you’re doing that, someone else is getting 82 new leads from a template they set up in 7 minutes.”

Salt creates urgency. Urgency triggers action.

Use your words like a mirror. Then gently point out what they stand to lose by staying stuck.

Step Four — Sell the Transformation, Not the Tool

People don’t buy features. They buy better versions of themselves.

Nobody wakes up thinking, “I need a lead magnet builder.” What they want is:

More income
Less hustle
To finally feel like their work is paying off

Your job is to show them what life looks like after they use your product.

Example:

“Imagine waking up to 43 new leads while your phone was on Do Not Disturb.”
“Picture watching Netflix while your lead magnet runs 24/7 collecting emails.”

Make the transformation vivid. Help them step into the dream. Then, casually reveal the tool that makes it happen.

Step Five — Give Them a Win Before They Buy

This is a secret weapon.

Give people a taste of success before they open their wallets. A checklist. A template. A swipe file. Anything that helps them move forward instantly.

Why? Because when someone gets a result from your free content, they’ll trust you for the paid stuff.

It’s psychology. It’s dopamine. It’s reciprocity.

Example: