Contents
What is FOMO?
FOMO, or fear of missing out, is a psychological state where a person experiences the fear of missing something important or interesting. In Russia, this state is also referred to as the syndrome of missed opportunities. People suffering from FOMO often feel anxious, frequently check their messengers and email, and aimlessly scroll through social media feeds, exploring the accounts of unfamiliar users. They think that everyone around them has a more vibrant and interesting life than their own.
This condition can manifest in various forms. For example, many people feel that their lives are dull and monotonous, while others are vacationing at resorts, buying expensive cars, and receiving lavish gifts. This situation becomes particularly relevant in the age of social media, where idealized images of others’ lives only amplify the feeling of missed opportunities.
Causes of FOMO
The syndrome of missed opportunities is not a new phenomenon. In the past, it resembled the queues formed for scarce goods. Today, with the advancement of technology and an increase in available choices, FOMO has become a result of abundance. Every day, people face dozens of questions: where to go in the evening, what to watch, which course to enroll in. Companies, social networks, and various experts compete for consumers' attention, offering their products and services.
This constant competition for attention creates anxiety in people: they worry that they might miss something important, such as an event worth attending or a sale on a favorite product. According to research, approximately 56% of social media users experience symptoms of FOMO, especially millennials, who often compare their achievements with others, which can lead to envy and self-doubt.
How FOMO manifests
The syndrome of missed opportunities can manifest in various aspects of life. Below are the main signs of FOMO:
- Fear and anxiety: People with FOMO experience stress when planning leisure activities and often doubt their choices. For example, after deciding to spend the evening at home, they start regretting not going to a party upon seeing a post about it on social media.
- Constant scrolling: They regularly check social media even without a specific reason, which leads to wasted time and distracts from other important tasks.
- Envy: Such individuals react painfully to the successes of others, constantly comparing their achievements with those of others.
How to cope with FOMO?
One way to combat FOMO is the concept of JOMO (joy of missing out), which teaches the joy of missed opportunities. This concept encourages enjoying the present moment and finding positive aspects in one’s life without comparing oneself to others. It is also important to engage in digital detox, limiting time spent on social media, and regularly asking oneself whether a particular product or service is genuinely needed or if the desire is imposed by others.
Using FOMO in marketing
Marketers actively use the syndrome of missed opportunities in their strategies. Here are a few examples of how to apply FOMO to increase sales:
- Limited offers: Inform your customers about the deadlines for promotions and remind them that discounted products will soon increase in price.
- Countdown timers: Use timers in promotional emails to remind subscribers of the time remaining until the end of the promotion.
- Show product availability: Indicate how many units of a product are left in stock, changing the font color if stock is low, thereby encouraging customers to make quick purchases.
These methods help create a sense of urgency among buyers and a desire to seize advantageous offers.