The Power of Three

power of 3 knife fork spoon

Have you noticed our world’s fascination with using the number three?

The three wise kings. The three stooges. The Three Degrees. The three R’s in education. Three days grace. Three little pigs who went to market. Three strikes and you’re out. Third time lucky. The third degree. three men in a boat. Three sports medals – Gold, Silver and Bronze. The Three Musketeers. Three cheers…

You probably have similar and other examples in your mind, too.

It’s all because of the power of three.

When depicted, it is the largest number still written with as many lines as the number represents. Take the Roman version, III, for example.

In mathematics, three is the first unique prime. It’s the closest whole number to both Pi (3.14) and the mathematical constant e, sometimes known as Euler’s Number (2.71). Pythagoras described 3 as the noblest of digits. It’s the only number to equal the sum of the terms below it (1 + 2 = 3).

There is evidence to suggest early man counted 1, 2, 3 and after that simply used “many” for anything bigger. So 3 was the largest defined number used.

In religion we are presented with many examples of three. The Christian Holy Trinity, the three Trimurti and the three Tridervi In Hinduism, the Three Jewels of Buddhism, the Three Pure Ones in Taosim, for example. Stories in the holy books also make many references to three.

It’s widely seen as a magical or lucky number.

You’ll even see the power of three at work in marketing and copywriting. What business cannot be interested in “more leads, more sales and more profits”?

Take another look at the emails, sales letters or web pages you’ve seen. Look out for other examples. There will be more than you think there are.

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ll already know about the power of three. If you want to make more money there are only three ways to do this:

  1. Increase the number of customers (i.e. sell to more people)
  2. Increase the average order size (i.e. sell to people at higher prices or get them to buy more than one thing at a time)
  3. Increase the number of repeat purchases (i.e. sell more often to each customer)

Interestingly, most businesses when they know this focus on number one – the most difficult of the three ways.

Why? Maybe they are misinformed, misguided or misled. Maybe they follow the crowd without thinking it through.

Whatever the case, it means businesses are missing out on money. Every day of the week potential sales and profits thrown away.

It’s a similar story with marketing and copywriting.

There are three ways to go about it:

  1. Do it all yourself (DIY)
  2. Get some help (professional critique and expert editing of your work from a marketing consultant)
  3. Hire a strategic copywriter to write your marketing and copy for you

Interestingly, many businesses when they know this focus on number one – the most difficult of the three ways.

Why? Maybe they are misinformed, misguided or misled. Maybe they follow the crowd without thinking it through. Maybe they do not understand money and Return on Investment as well as they ought to.

Whatever the case, it means businesses are missing out on money. Every day of the week potential sales and profits thrown away.

That’s cash that puts dinner on the table.

That’s cash that pays for your children’s upbringing and education.

That’s cash that pays for your dream holiday.

Money for your next car.

Money for your latest gadget.

Money for your latest investment in property or high finance.

So, if you know the power of three there’s a question to ask yourself.

Why take the hardest route each time when there’s a simpler, easier and (97.8 times out of 100) more successful way of going about your business and marketing?

If you want help to make your marketing efforts bring in better results take a look at my critique service.

If you need stronger strategies to build your success, ask about my consultancy services.

If you simply want me to write it all for you, check out my strategic copywriting.

And if you were reading carefully, you’ll have noticed the power of three in play.

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