How The “Crayon Effect” Forces Your Audience To Remember You

Barry Davret
Aug 23, 2017 · 2 min read
Source: Stencil

What on earth is the crayon effect? How do you use it to create memorable experiences your audience or customers remember forever?

The origin of the term comes from an experience at a local restaurant. It demonstrates the power of a bizarre and spontaneous event.

Have you ever signed a credit card bill with a crayon? I got my first credit card in 1992. To my recollection. I’ve only used a pen or electronic pen.

Last night, I asked for the check after a family dinner.

She handed me the check and said:

“Sorry. We don’t know what happened with all of our pens. Can you use this crayon?”

We’ve been here a dozen times before. This wasn’t some crude joke to generate a laugh. They lost all of their pens. Does the bank even accept receipts signed in crayon? All of us got a kick out of the experience.

Here’s why it matters.

I sign credit card receipts all the time after eating out. It’s just a passing experience like brushing your teeth before bed. I do it every night. I do not remember any of the individual experiences. They all blend in with each other.

Creating The Bizarre

Signing my bill with a crayon made it a unique experience.

Almost all business transactions are routine. We go through the motions without thinking.

Doing something bizarre or out of the ordinary makes it stand out.

The crayon effect is fun. It’s playful.

Avoid The One Big Trap

Bizarre stunts often backfire. They seem contrived or fake.

What made the crayon work? It was unrehearsed. The discomfort and mild embarrassment of the server enhanced the effect. Only a professional actor could duplicate that response.

Those are the kind of experiences people remember.

Bizarre + spontaneous = deep-rooted memory

Giving your customers crayons to sign their bill won’t work for most businesses. But you can do something bizarre or out of the ordinary. Be spontaneous. Only your creativity limits you.

Avoid rehearsing it. In fact, the unpolished nature of it makes it more interesting. Plus, it helps you avoid the “fake” label.

We appreciate efficient and speedy service.

We remember and tell stories about the bizarre and spontaneous.

Call To Action

The crayon effect is a powerful persuasion formula. Find my best persuasion and creativity tools here.

One more thing. If you found value in this story, please click on the “clap” button below. That helps others find it. Or, share it on social media. Let me know what you think on Twitter @barry_davret

surTHRIVAL Skillz — By Barry Davret

Next Level Skills For The Modern World

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Barry Davret

Written by

Writer. Experimenter in life, productivity and creativity. Contact: barry@barry-davret dot com.

surTHRIVAL Skillz — By Barry Davret

Next Level Skills For The Modern World

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