167: Psychology of Confirmation Bias to Improve Your Writing - Quick Copy Tip

Would you like more clients or a better ROI? I mean we all would...right?...and today I am sharing one quick copy tip you need to start using today!

Confirmation Bias Defined

Confirmation bias is a phenomenon where we, as decision-makers, have been shown to actively seek out and assign more weight to evidence that confirms our hypothesis and ignore or undervalue evidence that could disconfirm our beliefs.

Confirmation Bias Applied to Writing

Because we tend to look for evidence to support what we already believe, a tactic you could employ in your writing...in emails or landing pages or blogs or long social media posts… could be to do the following:

1. Start off with a statistic or a quote from a reputable source that supports what you will be talking about or selling
2. Expand on your topic and give examples and case studies that are reinforced by the statistic.
3. Conclude with a call to action that makes complete sense now that someone has(1) formed a belief and (2) be given stories and examples that reinforce that belief.

Some other mentions in this episode:

• Business Insider quote
• Valerie Morris just went live with her book and landed a speaking gig
• Sabah Ali who used her book as a calling card to cold pitch herself on to Live TV 4 times
• Free Facebook community

Confirmation Bias Applied to Imposter Syndrome

I think it's human nature to feel "imposter syndrome."

Unless you are a complete narcissist or sociopath, you likely do or have had battles with the 'ole Imposter Syndrome Monster (aka ISM)! So, see it as a validation point that you are normal and healthy, not that you are wrong, bad, or weak.

But, recognizing his evil grasp is the first step to not letting him pull us down into a spiral of playing small, underachieving, and getting slowed down by negative comments or negative thoughts in our own heads.

How can confirmation bias play into this? Well, remember we tend to look for and focus on evidence that reinforces what we already believe.

So, if you believe that:1. Most people are good, decent, and mean well 2. You know your stuff and are truly trying to help people the best you can

…if you get a troll writing a mean comment on your YouTube video, you may think…

"Wow, that troll must really have some pain in his life. I feel empathy for him, but I am not going to take his negative comment personally. I'm doing my thang and helping as many as I can!"

By contrast, say that you believe that:1. Most people are selfish and don't really like you

2. You aren't good enough to be a thought leader in your business space

…if you get a troll writing a mean comment on your YouTube video, you may think…

"See, this proves it. I suck. I am not good enough and everyone knows it. How stupid of me to think that people would like and accept me. Maybe I should just shut myself off...or at least, let me think about this and let it weigh me down for the next 6 months…"

The exact same thing can happen to people, but depending on what beliefs you already hold about yourself and others, your interpretation and reaction will be completely different.

Laura's Advice Applying Confirmation Bias

• Recognize our natural, human tendency to seek out and remember evidence that supports what we already believe and use it to our advantage!
• Make sure that confirmation bias works in your favor to help your own business grow and to help make an impact with more people.
• You cannot help others letting the evil ISM and confirmation bias work against you!

Great Quotes

• "If you put a book out there new opportunities that you never could have predicted will just come right at you." - Laura Petersen
• "The increase in exposure and opportunities is well worth the effort." - Laura Petersen
• "Recognize that our natural human tendency is to seek out and remember evidence that supports what we already believe." - Laura Petersen
• "Make sure that confirmation bias works in your favor to help your own business grow and to help you make more of an impact with other people too." - Laura Petersen

Take Action Now!

1. The Speaker's Secret Gig List

More psychology hacks, writing tips, and book launching strategy at CopyThatPops.com