5 Invisible Triggers That Make Readers Click ‘Buy’

28 May

You know that feeling when someone just buys — no follow-up, no chasing, no objections?

That’s not magic.

It’s invisible psychology at work.

And if you’re a coach or personal brand trying to sell your digital offers, email templates, courses, or done-for-you services — learning these 5 subconscious triggers could be the difference between "meh" sales and “I-can’t-keep-up” conversions.

In this post, I’ll walk you through:

✅ The 5 invisible triggers that nudge readers toward “yes”
✅ How to ethically use them in your sales emails
✅ An action checklist to apply right away

Your list doesn’t need to be bigger. It needs to be better activated.

Let’s make your emails the kind that feel personal, persuasive… and sell quietly in the background.

Trigger #1: The Mirror Effect (a.k.a. “That’s Me!”)

You’ve seen it in action.

You're scrolling, skimming... and then BAM.

An email hits you right in the oh-my-god-this-is-my-life.

This is the mirror effect — when your reader sees themselves in your copy.

Their words. Their situation. Their exact frustrations.

How to activate it:

Use empathy-first copy at the start of your email.

Describe the internal monologue your reader is having before you show up in their inbox.

Here’s a real example from a client email I wrote:

“You’ve rewritten that one sales email five times now.
And no matter how many emojis or clever headlines you use…
You’re still not confident it’ll actually sell.”

Result?

High reply rate. Higher conversions.

Because it was written for a real person — not a generic avatar.

✅ ACTION CHECKLIST

Start with a frustration or belief your reader is already feeling
Use “you” language, not “we” or “our clients”
Mirror the tone of voice your audience uses in your DMs or replies

Trigger #2: Certainty

Your reader isn’t scared of spending money.

They’re scared of making the wrong decision.

This is where certainty becomes your silent sales assistant.

People buy when they feel safe, assured, and certain the offer is right for them.

How to activate it:

Give them evidence. Social proof. A track record. But do it in a story-driven way — not just a wall of testimonials.

Example:

“Emma used the Email Templates bundle to write a 5-part launch sequence in a weekend.
She told me it felt like ‘finally having a grown-up strategy — not just vibes and hope.’
The next week? She made 5x what she spent on the product.”

✅ ACTION CHECKLIST

Add specific, credible proof — screenshots, numbers, names (with permission)
Use mini case studies inside your email copy
Link to a testimonial or story that backs up your offer

Trigger #3: Curiosity

You’ve heard it a thousand times — “curiosity sells.”

But here’s what most people miss:

Curiosity only works when it opens a loop your reader needs to close.

When your email teases the answer to a question they care about, the only option is to click (or keep reading).

How to activate it:

Use open loops in your subject line or the first line of your email.

And don’t answer the question too quickly — tease the value and then deliver.

Example from one of my welcome sequences:

“There’s one sentence I added to a client’s CTA that doubled her conversions.
I’ll show you what it was in a second. But first, let me tell you how she almost missed it…”

✅ ACTION CHECKLIST

Use “curiosity gaps” in your subject lines (but no clickbait)
Open loops at the start — close them later in the email
Tease transformation or contrast ("Before she added this..." / "What she didn't realise was...")

Trigger #4: Specificity

Vague language = vague results.

If you want people to buy, your offer needs to feel concrete, tangible, and doable.

That’s why specificity sells more than energy ever could.

Don’t say: “Boost your sales with powerful email templates.”
Do say: “Write a 5-part sales sequence in a weekend — even if writing emails makes you want to cry.”

How to activate it:

Replace general phrases with quantifiable, emotional, or sensory detail.

✅ ACTION CHECKLIST

Swap vague verbs like “transform” with actions like “book more calls” or “double your replies”
Use real odd, unexpected numbers (e.g. “17.5%” or “3 and a half hours”)
Describe outcomes readers can see, feel, or imagine

Trigger #5: Momentum

Want to know the real reason most people don’t buy?

Inertia.

They get the email. They think, “This looks good.”

Then they do… nothing.

Your job is to give them a reason to act now — not “someday.”

And no, it’s not always about adding a countdown timer.

How to activate it:

Use urgency tied to the reader’s internal desire, not just external scarcity.

Example:

“If you’re reading this thinking, ‘I’ll get to this next week’ — you won’t.
That’s how weeks become months.
And months become ‘why didn’t I start this sooner?’
So here's your next move…”

✅ ACTION CHECKLIST

Use emotional urgency (missed opportunities, wasted time, stalled growth)
Add time-sensitive bonuses or price increases (if true)
Create momentum with a clear next step (“Click here, pick your template, and send your first email today”)

TL;DR: The 5 Invisible Sales Triggers in Email

Let’s recap what actually moves people to buy:

Want Help Writing Emails That Actually Sell?

The Email Templates for Coaches & Personal Brands bundle is built with these invisible triggers baked in.

Each template includes:

✅ Mirror-effect opening lines
✅ CTA variations for different buyer types
✅ Built-in curiosity and urgency
✅ Plug-and-play structure so you don’t waste time

👉 Grab the templates here for just £47

Final Word: Sales Psychology > Hustle

You don’t need to send more emails.

You don’t need to hustle harder.

You just need to understand what nudges people toward “yes” —and quietly work with their brain, not against it.

Now imagine the next time you send a launch email…

People are already pre-sold before they even click.

You’re not being “more persuasive.”

You’re just finally writing like someone who knows what makes people buy.

Ready to go deeper?

Get weekly sales email breakdowns, tips, and stories inside Three Good Things — my free email series for coaches who want to write emails that actually convert.

👉 Join the list here