My business partner just told me he's going to a six-year-old's birthday party, and we were discussing what would constitute a good bday present.

I jokingly said "the good thing about being a salesperson is you could get anything, then convince them why it's a good idea."

But it got me thinking: It seems everyone wants to convince people that their thing will change their life. Perhaps in only 30 days or in four easy steps.

What if you, in a non-pedophile kind of way, approached a six-year-old and said "Hey, kid. You should get this new toy! It will change your life!"

The kid would be dumbfounded. Change my life? What does that even mean? Why would I want to change my life?

When you grow up, it seems like not-fun is the standard mode of operation... and everybody wants to be six years old again.

The only way you're gonna sell something to a six-year-old, is with something that (A) will excite the shit out of them so they go "OMGOMGOMGOMG MOMMY MOMMY CAN I HAVE ONE?!" and (B) will make them look cool in front of their friends.

If you can make your product appeal to these two things, you have a major advantage.

Now I will still argue that the [Pain > Agitate > Solve] structure is the #1 way to sell most things, especially information - because at the end of the day if your product doesn't solve a problem, it's not providing value to anyone, and as such, isn't worth anyone's money.

(Also, entertainment also solves a problem - boredom, so don't go all "let's change the world" on me here. Just saying.)

But don't discount the FUN factor.

How can you make doing business with you an unbelievably exciting experience?

And... how can buying your thing make you look cool in front of your friends? (Examples: Apple, Beats by Dre)