When a Winter Storm Warning was issued in Durham recently I could only envision the ensuing panic as residents rushed to the store to buy water, milk, bread and other essentials.  And this was just at the threat of snow!  When people think someone is going to run out of something, it doesn’t really matter what it is, they are more motivated to buy that product.  You see scarcity marketing all the time.  QVC and other home shopping networks are masters at this by showing consumers a countdown clock and the rapidly decreasing number of remaining products.

You can use that same scarcity model when promoting your products and services.  Words and phrases like “limited time offer”, “while supplies last”, “only a few spots remaining” are very effective calls to actions that get clients to make a purchase.  Always be honest when using this approach.