Soon Yu, author of Friction. — Startups and large companies are making big moves to reduce friction in all its forms, but that might actually hurt the customer experience, explains Soon Yu, author of the forthcoming book Friction. He has concrete examples that show adding more steps creates an affinity for your brand.
This clever customer strategy is why Betty Crocker boosted sales by adding work for their customers, why Hermès puts customers through hoops to acquire a Birkin Bag, and why Ben Franklin asked people for favors to improve relationships.
Examples of good friction
Yu gives plenty of examples of what he calls “good friction.” Hermès makes the process to buy a Birkin Bag extremely difficult. They hold the bags in the back of the store, and may even ask you to buy other items before giving you access to even see their bags. The thrill of the hunt makes it worth it for some of their customers to pony up $11k. Nike does something similar with exclusive new product releases by creating a kind of real-world hunt for their customers.
Similarly, Betty Crocker boosted cake mix sales by removing some ingredients, then requiring customers to add an egg. Universal Studios even has an extensive process in Harry Potter World for visitors to get a wand.
The EMBRACE Process
To bring good friction to life, Yu outlines the elements that brands can follow.
Exclusivity – Playing Hard to Get
Meaning – Give it some depth
Belonging – It takes a tribe
Rapport – Forging bonds that last
Assurance – Let’s double-check
Competence – Gaining by training
Engagement – Make them laugh, make them cry
Friction, by Soon Yu
Soon Yu’s new book, Friction, Adding Value By Making Your Customers Work For It!, comes out in March.
Sign up for updates at his website.
