Will you join Team Barbie or Team Oppenheimer?
Or would you be in Team Barbieheimer?
I recently came across this term, referring to two distinctly different films set to open on the same day.
One is “Barbie,” a light-hearted comedy, and the other is “Oppenheimer,” a serious exploration of life and humanity.
Actors and directors from both films have commented on this trend.
There has even been friendly debate about which movie to watch first.
(If you want to know, the internet says “Oppenheimer” first and then follow it up with “Barbie” to lighten the mood.)
Me?
Even before deciding which one to watch, I’m already thinking….
“Now, that’s the power of contrast.”
It’s one of the most powerful tools in marketing.
When we combine two contrasting elements, the human brain is naturally drawn to it.
Contrast makes you stop and think.
This creates open loops that demand closure, fueling engagement, attention and eventually, sales.
So whenever possible, compare your business with others. Create a “Us versus Them” narrative.
Or fish out intriguing angles and stories to use in your copy.
Here are some examples:
Gary Halbert wrote a headline that read, “Amazing Secret Discovered By One-Legged Golfer Adds 50 Yards To Your Drives…”
Is that even possible?
Another brilliant example is the Wall Street Journal’s famous “Tale of Two Men” ad, which talked 2 young men, and why they ended up with different lives.
Contrast works exceptionally well in subject lines, the first line of any copy, and even your actions.
That means doing something that makes your audience go, “Wow, did that really happen?”
One simple way to achieve this is by encouraging conversations in your emails.
And then, you know, be a real human and personally reply with genuine interest.
It works well because almost no one expects businesses to reply.
But all of this can only happen if you already have a well-executed email marketing strategy in place, including a solid welcome sequence, compelling subject lines, and engaging copy.
Again, all of which can rely on contrast to get more attention for your business.
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