The Power of Animal Selling - Knowing your Customers

Animal selling is a an approach where you align your sales tactics with behaviors inspired by various animals. The idea is to first understand each of the animals, learning why each makes buying decisions and then understand your own animal, to be able to control your natural tendencies and adjust your approach to each type of consumer. By adopting the personality traits of these animals in your sales strategy, you can influence how customers perceive yourself, your products, your company, and ultimately decide whether to buy from you or your competitor.

The first animal is the mighty lion, who represents Leadership, Confidence and Power. When Using the Lion archetype in sales means positioning your brand as a powerful, confident leader in your industry. these buyers usualy like the High-end products, luxury services, or anything that requires a sense of exclusivity or authority. Crafting your messages that emphasize the dominance, superiority, or "best-in-class" qualities of your offering are the best ways to go about selling to a lion personality type. A lion-based brand is bold, assertive, and doesn’t apologize for its price or value.

The second most common animal is the Loyal golden retriever, who represents Loyalty, Teamwork, Strategy. If your brand’s strength lies in creating a loyal customer base or fostering a sense of community, the golden retriever archetype might be the way to go. golden retriever's Promote the idea that by choosing your brand, customers are joining a tribe or family that shares their values and interests.

The third animal is the playful otter, who represents Playfulness, Intelligence and Connection. known for their ability to connect with others. Brands that want to convey a sense of fun, friendliness, and approachability often turn to the otter archetype. Using language that conveys friendliness, intelligence, and a sense of playful engagement. Position your product as something that makes life more enjoyable and easier to navigate.

Animal selling is knowing your customers. The Last animal is the analytical beaver, who represents Wisdom, Knowledge and Insight. intuition, and intelligence. If your product or service is about offering knowledge, insight, or problem-solving, the beaver archetype might be the perfect fit. Educational products, consulting services, or products that offer deep, intellectual value. Positioning your brand as the expert in the field. Focus on providing valuable insights, making complex topics simple, and guiding customers to the best decision.

It is important to understand that different animals resonate with different audiences and people. Tailor your messaging to the demographics and psychographics of your ideal customer, aligning your approach with the emotional triggers that will motivate them to take action. Just like any successful branding effort, consistency is critical. Ensure your messaging, visuals, and customer experience remain aligned with your chosen animal archetype across all touchpoints.

Animal selling taps into psychological and emotional connections humans have with animals. By adopting specific animal archetypes, brands can communicate their core values and appeal to customer instincts in a way that feels natural and engaging. Whether you're positioning your brand as a mighty lion, a loyal golden retriver, the playful otter or the selling beaver, leveraging the power of animals can help you form stronger connections with your audience and drive higher sales.

Chris Coltran is the author of multiple books including Selling to your Grandmother and the Grandmother Philosophy — the philosophy of “treating people like you would treat your own grandmother.” He has conducted workshops and seminars for over 20,000 participants. Chris’ latest book, Exspeaktations – What you Say is what you Get and the accompanying 21-step I AM Intention Tracker focuses on mindset and the power that your words and thoughts have over your outcomes. Thoughts become your words, words produce your actions and actions determine your future.  The I AM Intention Tracker is already being used in coaching and training sessions for professionals. Learn more about Chris clicking here.