How Color Sells: Got a Sweet Tooth? Steer Clear of Pink!

Color is about more than interior design and fashion; it is used for marketing products from diapers to diet soda, from office supplies to electronics, from bargain buys to luxury investments, color sells. The key is to learn how to use color to your advantage as it is often a subliminal influence. Once you know the psychology and the cultural differences you can layer hues from light to dark, subtle to bold, to achieve the desired response.

Did you know that pink is known to have a soothing effect? Now, I’m talking rose pink, shell pink, and peony pink not fuchsia. In fact you have to be careful with pink.

Some years ago a study was conducted on violent prisoners and when they were locked up in a pink padded cell up to 20 minutes it calmed them and made them more rationale. But in excess of 20 minutes and they became more violent than before.

We often see pink in old fashioned beauty salons and chiropractic offices; often it is mauve pink with blue thrown in for a true soothing effect. My younger sister grew up in a bubblegum pink bedroom and is now a NUN, go figure . . . Pink indicates a dependent personality that craves structure and she does.

Pink also drives our desire for sugar, that’s why it is used by Baskin Robbins and Dunkin Donuts - orange represents affordability and cheap. So think Cheap Sugar, Cheap Sugar . . . and then there is Sweet and Lo, could’ve been any color but they chose pink! Now Equal is in trusty blue, Splenda in unforgettable yellow, and Truvia in eco-friendly green. And remember Pepto-Bismal is pink, and it coats and soothes. n
One of the best decorating tips is to use pink light bulbs. In fact I shared this in a seminar and one participant got back in touch a week later and said her husband had been complimenting her all week; he was unaware that she changed all the bulbs in the house to pink and was wearing a rosy glow! Want to feel “in the pink?” Then change your light source to pink.

Once you have mastered the mystery of color, you can put the psychology to work for your success and even your profit. Oh, and watch those donuts!