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People Remember Feelings, Not Features
Not the 87 features you listed like a grocery receipt, they want you to change their lives!
Do you know what people remember?
They remember how you made them feel.
Not the 87 features you listed like a grocery receipt.
That feeling, the emotion, that’s what sticks.
It’s why that pani puri wala with the big smile at your street corner always gets more business than the fancy chaats at the AC restaurant.
Now, I get it, you’ve worked your butt off adding a bajillion features to your app, your product, or even to your samosa stall menu (yes, 47 varieties of stuffing is impressive).
But here’s the harsh truth: people don’t remember features.
They don’t remember that your AI tool can organize 6,000 emails in 12 seconds or that your saree shop has 256 shades of blue.
They remember how your product or service made them feel.
Why Feelings Beat Features Every. Single. Time.
Let me give you an example. Imagine you're at a wedding.
Your cousin from Bengaluru comes to you, all excited, to tell you about his latest gadget, a smartwatch with 12.5 hours of battery life, customizable widgets, and enough tech jargon to launch a spaceship.
Now, as he goes on and on, your mind starts wandering.
"Are there more gulab jamuns left? Why does the aunty next to me smell like vicks?" You don't remember anything he said.
Now imagine a different scene: your cousin doesn’t talk about features but instead tells you how his smartwatch changed his life. “Bro, it buzzes me every hour and reminds me to drink water. I feel more energetic, clear-headed, and I can actually remember where I left my car keys!”
You remember THAT story.
Because he’s telling you about the way it’s changed his life, the feeling it gives him.
In branding, this is called “emotion over information.” Your brand isn’t about what you do; it’s about what your customers feel because of what you do.
Features Tell, Feelings Sell
Ask yourself: does anyone really care about the horsepower of a Honda Activa?
Nope.
What they care about is that feeling of freedom and mobility, “I can zip around town without needing an Uber” or “I’m no longer stuck waiting for public transport in the sun.”
Take a cue from Bollywood too.
Do you think people remember every line from that SRK film you watched when you were ten?
No! You remember how you felt watching him stretch his arms on a mountain cliff. Romance. Drama. Emotional explosion.
That’s what you remember. (Alright, sometimes his 6-pack abs too, but that’s technically also an emotion in India.)
The Main Takeaway: The product feature is the logic, but the feeling is the magic.
And magic sticks.
Practical Tips to Make Your Audience Feel Something
Here’s how you can ditch feature-fest and create an emotional connection:
1. Tell Stories, Not Specs
Swap that boring feature list for a story. Instead of saying, “This washing machine has a 1200 rpm spin cycle,” say, “No more excuses for wearing that faded, loose kurta in the back of the closet, this machine will make it look as good as new.” We all love stories. So, use them.
2. Paint a Picture
Make your product or service a hero. If you’re selling home-cooked meals online, don’t just describe them as "tasty and fresh." Tell people that their family will feel like Amma herself made them.
3. Solve, Don’t Sell
Focus on how you solve a problem. Like that neighborhood chaiwala who adds a bit more milk because he knows you prefer it strong, he’s solving your “this chai is too weak” problem. And you’ll remember him every time. Make your customers feel that their life is better with you.
4. Create a Memorable Experience
Think of that one restaurant you keep going back to, not because their naan is perfectly round, but because the owner recognizes you and says, “Arre bhai, regular corner table, right?” That’s a feeling, and it creates loyalty. Build that into your brand.
Feelings Are Your Brand’s Cheat Code
The magic here, Stupidpreneurs, is that feelings build loyalty without you even having to scream "LOYALTY PROGRAM!" from the rooftops.
When people have an emotional connection to a brand, they’re less likely to look elsewhere, even if another product has more features or a cheaper price.
They’ll stick with you, flaws and all, like that one over-smart friend who always makes you laugh even when he’s annoying.
So, next time you’re itching to shout about your product’s incredible Bluetooth range, ask yourself, can I make people feel like it’s giving them back some freedom instead?
Or save them from embarrassment in a meeting? Or making their boss think they’re the most organized person on earth?
Make them feel that they can’t live without it, and they won’t.
Until next time, keep it emotional, keep it real. And don’t forget: logic might bring them in, but feelings will keep them coming back.
Stay stupid, stay winning!
P.S. If you missed after all my crying attempts, and haven’t signed up for the branding e-book pre-launch, here is the link for you to do it now.
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