Peacock theory

There's a great book called, "Fourth Turning"  written by Neil Howe and William Strauss. It makes predictions based on generational theory. The book was written in 1997 and reading it for a second time in 2017 was interesting to see many of their predictions come true.

This blog isn't about that book. It's about another one. I was looking for a new book on Amazon. Because Strauss and Howe were in my favourites, "The Game" was a suggested reading. The author's name was Neil Strauss. I thought it was from the same co-author as "Fourth Turning", so I picked it up. Hint: It was NEIL Howe and William STRAUSS.

Amazon's logarithm sent me down a rabbit hole that I will never recover from. "The Game" is a detailed story on the world of Pick up artists.

For those who don't know, pick up artists are marketers who go to clubs to pick up women. Essentially the book recounts the author's experience in this subculture.

Although none of them were psychologists, they implemented tools of psychology to influence other people's behaviour - mostly women.

One tool was a theory called Peacock theory.

Here's how it works: Pick up artists go to a club and wear the most outrageous clothes they can find to gather attention.

Imagine going to a club and seeing a guy with a lip ring, a velour hat, a fur boa around his neck, a leather vest, platform shoes, a few tattoos and tight leather jeans.

It would be hard not to wonder who the weirdo is. Is he a rockstar? Is he famous? He oozes confidence as he struts around the club. People talk to him. They want to know him because he might be famous. He's going to make friends. And if he's good at sales, he will take a girl home with him.

I peacock-ed one time on Halloween. I wore what looked like a baby bottle nipple on my head. It was supposed to look like the end of a condom. I was the human Penis. My T-shirt had a safe sex message with another condom behind a plastic window on my chest. I was 21 years old.

Although it was Halloween, I was still embarrassed.

It ended up being a lot of fun. 82 girls approached me that night. It looked funny. I was the only Penis in a room filled with cowboys, hippies, and rappers. Girls wanted to rub my head. It was the most attention I have ever received at the clubs.

That was marketing!!!

Don't look or act like your competitors.
Gather attention.
Attract potential customers to you.
Close the deal.

Peacocking gets attention.

Good marketing works exactly like peacocking.

Tell a compelling story that is "new, exciting or different". If you're story is boring, the PUA's would say you're another AFC (Average Frustrated Chump).

There is an area in the brain called Broca's area. It pays attention to "new, exciting or different". If your message is none of the three, Broca slams the door on the AFC.

AFC's don't get the customer.

When your business looks and acts different,

Some will hate your "style"...
You will be "unforgettable"...

You won't be an AFC anymore.

You'll get the customer's attention.
And if you're good at sales, you'll get the customer...

If you want help getting past Broca's area of the brain and you are ready for your marketing efforts to be unforgettable, you can reach me at ricknicholson@wizardofads.com.



PS. Here's a picture of that human Penis