Hopefully the above headline is an attention grabber, but can you tell me WHY or how it grabs your attention?
Here’s a clue: Emory University researcher Krish Sathian has demonstrated that sensory words activate the portions of the brain associated with our senses, even when we don’t realize it.
The study used “textual metaphors” in which words related to texture were used in a figurative or metaphorical manner. As a control, they were also given another sentence of the same meaning, but without the textual metaphor.
Result? The textual words caused the sensory areas of the brain to become activated.
For example, “He’s a bad person” vs “He’s a slimy person.”
Notice which has a stronger meaning for you and why – it’s almost assuredly the “slimy” example because a part of your brain can actually feel the slime, even if you’re not picturing slime.
So how does this relate to sales and marketing?
It’s all about engaging your prospects’ senses with your sales message and allowing them to experience what they’re reading and hearing in a very personal way. The more engaged they are – and the more they can internalize what you’re saying – the more likely you are to persuade them you’re selling the best product ever.
With that in mind, I’ve made a list below of sensory words to get you started on writing smooth copy and hot headlines.
Enjoy…
abrasive
feathery
biting
fine
lacy
scalding
steamy
boiling
fluffy
leathery
scorching
steely
bubbly
foamy
light
scratchy
sticky
bulky
freezing
lukewarm
scummy
bumpy
furry
matted
shaggy
stinging
burning
fuzzy
metallic
sharp
stony
bushy
glassy
moist
silky
stubby
clammy
gluey
mushy
slimy
tangled
coarse
grainy
numbing
slippery
tender
cool
greasy
oily
sloppy
tepid
cottony
gritty
piercing
smooth
thick
crisp
gushy
plastic
smothering
tickling
cushioned
hairy
pocked
soapy
tough
damp
heavy
pointed
soft
velvety
downy
hot
warm
drenched
humid
rocky
waxy
laughing
ringing
barking
crunching
blaring
scratching
ticking
booming
exploding
muttering
screaming
twittering
buzzing
fizzing screeching
slamming
whimpering
chirping
giggling
pinging
shouting
clanging
grating
plopping
whispering
clicking
grunting
quacking
snoring
whooping
clinking
gurgling
splashing
cooing
hissing
squawking
coughing
stuttering
crackling
jangling
acid
doughy
minty
sweaty
earthy
moist
raw
sweet
moldy
alkaline
flowery
musky
rotten
tasteless
aromatic
fresh
salty
tough
biting
fruity
oily
scented
bitter
perfumed
sharp
bland
hearty
hot
spicy
buttery
spoiled
cold
pungent
stagnant
