The Psychic Sell – Don’t Judge Me
Don’t judge me – I watch YouTube tarot readings. I’m addicted. I said don’t judge me.
To make money as a YouTube tarot card reader you have, from what I can gather, two options – monetize your videos and/or have an extended reading available for sale elsewhere. Let’s focus on the “extended reading” approach.
The Problem
An extended reading is a delicate thing. Firstly, no one will go to the extended if the first, free reading doesn’t resonate. That’s hurdle #1. You’ve got to hit the nail on the head, initially. (Although, some cynical people would rephrase that as “be as general and vague as possible to resonate with a lot of people”. But for this purpose, let’s be positive, folks!) But, a secondary problem is “the sell” of the extended reading.
Amid a flurry of cards and life lessons, how is a reader – supposedly an empath – going to subtly mention the extended. It’s sort of a smarmy thing to do – especially given the context of the reading itself. “So, it looks like your life is going really, really badly at the moment. We’ll find out more about that in the extended.” This is an obvious money grab – not altogether illegitimate, but a money grab nonetheless. The first reading feels like a “teaser” thereby invalidating the initial authenticity and potentially losing the sale.
My Consumer Research
The Nudge
My favorite reader – don’t judge me – has found a way to really blend her secondary products into the reading in a way that I really respect and I highly suspect are psychologically manipulating. Her first, and best, trick is not tag the extended sale onto the end of the reading. She mentions it, lightly, about 3 – 5 minutes from the end. Her conversational “Did I mention there’s an extended?” is a really soft, gentle nudge. You are told about the extended, but not left hanging – and there is still more reading to go!
Title Teaser
Her second bit of marketing is brilliant. At the end of the reading she breaks down what she will look at in the extended and wishes you well. That’s when you notice the title of the video relates to the extended reading! If the title of the video is: “The reason for their silence will shock you!” in the video she’ll read about the situation leading up to the “silence” and will examine the silence in the extended!
This is brilliant for two reasons – if they click away from the video the title will remain in their history and recommended. Thusly, there is a constant tease that answers await. A consumer may be able to resist one or two reminders but innumerable reminders would break even a seasoned CIA agent.
From experience, I can tell you that the platform you choose to host the extended reading on matters as well. Some of these purchasing experiences – I said don’t judge me – are awkward and difficult. A reader stands to lose a lot of sales during this process. This is when I, as a desperate person, start to ask if I want to spend that money. If I’m feeling sane the answer is “no”. But that’s a different article.
I have to go check on my ex.
I said don’t judge me.
