Brain Driven Brands – Episode 98: Boost Your Sales by 42%...With ONE Great [Secret]

Host: Sarah Levinger
Co-host: Nate Legos
Date: August 26, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Sarah Levinger and co-host Nate Legos dig into a powerful, science-backed neuromarketing secret that drives up to 42% more sales for e-commerce and DTC brands—without raising ad spend. Drawing from high-performing brands like True Classic, Spotify, and Plants vs. Zombies, the hosts break down recent marketing studies and offer actionable tactics for anyone running or scaling an e-commerce business. The big focus: how the framing of your product benefits can make or break conversions, and why tying related benefits together is essential.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Related Benefits in Copywriting

(02:00 – 05:15)

• Quiz Kickoff: Sarah quizzes Nate on what messaging tactic can boost sales by 42%. Nate guesses several classic copywriting angles, but Sarah reveals it's about bundling related benefits in your messaging, not random or unrelated ones.

  • Quote [03:37 | Sarah]:
    “Products with multiple related benefits generate about 42% more sales than those with a single benefit. But only if they are related to each other.”

• Study Details:

  • Based on data from 1,059 healthcare products:
    • Multiple related benefits = 42% higher sales than single-benefit items
    • Multiple unrelated benefits = 66% fewer orders than single-benefit items
  • Example:
    • Related: “Anti-aging and skin firming” in a body lotion = Works!
    • Unrelated: “Anti-aging and tanning” = The effect disappears or reverses

• Tactical Tip:

  • When crafting product copy or lists of USP’s, ensure each benefit speaks to the same customer desire or problem.

2. Real-World Application: Ad Messaging for Different Audiences

(07:58 – 11:49)

• Nate’s Reaction: Unrelated benefits dilute the message and can create doubt.

  • Quote [07:36 | Nate]:
    "When I’m looking at food or drink, and you see: ‘tastes great, kids love it, 80% less sugar’—that last part loses me. I just want great taste."

• Sarah’s Take:

  • Don’t try to “hedge your bets” by lumping together unrelated USPs for different audience segments in one ad.
  • Solution: Create separate, highly-targeted ads for each distinct audience, with three benefits closely tied to one another.

• Meta & Algorithm Matching:

  • If an ad’s benefits span multiple profiles, Meta’s algorithm dilutes targeting and results.

• Copywriting Practice:

  • Best-performing ads = headline, subhead, bullets, and visual all reinforce one consistent value.

  • Quote [10:00 | Sarah]:
    “Every time I test a new ad set, the ones where the headline, the subhead, the bullets, and the visual all communicate the same message — they do best.”

3. Consumer Psychology & Benefit Selection

(11:49 – 16:24)

• Key Point: Most consumers are motivated by a single, core benefit—even if they consider other features.

• Personal Example:

  • Nate buys fancy charcoal toothpaste for dental health, not for whitening, taste, or trendiness.
    • Quote [15:01 | Nate]:
      “This all stems from how much I hate the dentist… when I go, I want it to be the easiest experience possible.”
  • Sarah probes into how deep-rooted anxieties (like dentist fear) drive product choice, not surface-level features.

• Actionable Insight:

  • When mapping ad sets or product pages, probe for the root emotional benefit that closes the sale.

4. Tactical Testing & Implementation

(16:44 – 18:03)

• Challenge: Should you highlight one benefit phrased three ways, or three related benefits?

  • Nate and Sarah suggest A/B testing both approaches in their own campaigns.
  • Quote [17:06 | Sarah]:
    “I would love for you to run a test for us to see… Is it three related benefits or just one, said three ways?”

• Practical Advice:

  • Don’t be afraid of more creatives: create separate ads for each segment and benefit grouping.

5. Key Takeaways & Memorable Quotes

• Core Principle:
  • Bundle related benefits — never mix in unrelated ones!
• “Don’t hedge your bets. Just make another ad. It’s cheap.” — Sarah [10:52]
• “Multiple related benefits together. Don’t throw in ones that aren’t related, it distracts people and you’re gonna lose someone.” — Nate [17:44]

Notable Quotes and Moments

• [03:37 | Sarah]: “Products with multiple related benefits generate about 42% more sales than those with a single benefit. But only if they are related to each other.”
• [07:36 | Nate]: “When I’m looking at food or drink, and you see: ‘tastes great, kids love it, 80% less sugar’—that last part loses me. I just want great taste.”
• [10:00 | Sarah]: “Every time I test a new ad set… the ones where the headline, subhead, bullets, and visual all communicate the same message — they do best.”
• [10:52 | Sarah]: “Don’t hedge your bets. Just make another ad. It’s cheap.”
• [15:01 | Nate]: “This all stems from how much I hate the dentist… when I go, I want it to be the easiest experience possible.”
• [17:44 | Nate]: “Multiple related benefits together. Don’t throw in ones that aren’t related, it distracts people and you’re gonna lose someone.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction & Host Banter: 00:03 – 01:31
• The Marketing Study Quiz & Big Reveal: 02:01 – 05:21
• Examples and Analysis: 05:21 – 08:43
• Personal Stories & Application: 11:49 – 16:24
• Tactical Implementation & Testing: 16:44 – 18:03
• Key Takeaways: 17:44 – 18:03

Conclusion & Action Steps

Actionable Steps for Marketers:

• Assess your product messaging—do you feature several related benefits, or are you mixing in unrelated ones?
• For each major audience segment, create focused messaging that bundles 2–3 tightly connected benefits.
• Test versions that emphasize the same benefit in multiple ways vs. different-but-related benefits.
• Don’t “hedge your bets” in one ad—clarity and specificity outperform clutter every time.

Final Word:
Great messaging is as much about what you leave out as what you put in. Use science, segment smart, and watch those conversion rates soar.