Intrinsic motivation is the hidden force steering us towards our goals and dreams – and it is the number one trigger when it comes to genuine recommendations.
What does intrinsic motivation mean?
Intrinsic motivation can easily be described as follows:
Intrinsic motivation, the strong internal drive that radiates from within, stands as a significant influence, untouched by external rewards or benefits. It’s the type of motivation that propels us into activities purely because they bring us joy.
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic: Unraveling the opposite
In contrast, extrinsic motivation is incentivized by external factors like rewards, recognition, or praise. This is evident in various life aspects, from workplaces, where employees may strive for bonuses or promotions, to students seeking high grades for acknowledgment from teachers or parents. While extrinsic motivation may boost short-term performance, it often falls short in fostering long-term engagement or personal satisfaction. Individuals relying solely on external rewards may lose interest once the incentives vanish.
The Authenticity of Intrinsic Motivation
When intrinsically motivated, individuals experience joy, personal fulfillment, and self-determined behavior.
This authentic motivation is closely tied to genuineness. Recommendations or actions driven by personal interests and values are inherently more sincere. This holds particular importance in recommendations or endorsements. Consumers tend to trust and value recommendations rooted in intrinsic motivation rather than those solely propelled by external incentives.
“Recommendations based on incentives may stimulate Word of Mouth (WOM), but they do not achieve the same effect as intrinsic WOM if the paid character is known to the people.“
Trusov et al.
Unlocking Sales Potential with Viral Loops
By activating a customers intrinsic motivation to share their positive experience, a highly powerful mechanism called “viral loop” can be activated. A viral loop is a self-sustaining process where users share their experience with a service or product, causing a chain reaction of growth. Positive experiences are shared, attracting new customers, who then contribute to the cycle themselves by sharing and therefore leading to increased brand visibility and sales again.
Long story short
While external incentives have their place, intrinsic motivation stands as the internal drive fueling genuine passion and long-term loyalty. It forms the heartbeat of authentic recommendations, providing sustainable customer growth through the existing happy customer base – leading to great brand reputation and more revenue in the most authentic way.
