501: The Psychology of Unboxing: Why We Can't Look Away

Summary

Episode 501: The Psychology of Unboxing: Why We Can't Look Away

Podcast: The Brainy Business
Host: Melina Palmer
Release Date: May 29, 2025

---

Introduction

In the landmark Episode 501 of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer delves into the fascinating psychology behind unboxing videos—a ubiquitous trend captivating millions online. Celebrating over 500 episodes and one and a half million downloads, Melina leverages her expertise in behavioral economics to unpack (pun intended) why these videos are so irresistibly engaging.

---

Understanding Unboxing Videos

Melina Palmer introduces unboxing videos as a widespread phenomenon where individuals watch others unwrap products, ranging from toys and tech gadgets to trading cards. She highlights their surprising power to captivate diverse audiences across various platforms.

Melina Palmer [02:05]: "But as you might expect, it's not just a quirky Internet trend. It's brain science."

---

Mirror Neurons: The Empathy Bridge

A significant portion of the episode focuses on mirror neurons, a concept central to understanding why unboxing videos resonate so deeply.

• Discovery Story:
  In the early '90s, researchers observing monkeys discovered that these primates' brains activated not only when performing actions like grabbing a peanut but also when merely watching a researcher perform the same action.

  Co-host [06:32]: "Even when no movement occurs, the brain experiences tasks along with others as if it were experiencing these same things itself."

• Human Implications:
  Humans possess mirror neurons that facilitate learning through observation and empathy. When viewers watch someone unbox, their mirror neurons simulate the experience, making them feel as though they're part of the moment.

  Melina Palmer [08:43]: "In an unboxing video, when someone else is opening the box, it's like we're doing it ourselves."

---

Dopamine and the Thrill of Anticipation

Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, plays a pivotal role in the allure of unboxing videos.

• Anticipation Over Reward:
  Contrary to the common belief that dopamine peaks upon receiving a reward, studies reveal that dopamine levels surge during the anticipation phase.

  Melina Palmer [11:27]: "The enjoyment for the brain is in the work and wondering what's going to happen."

• Balancing Peaks and Lulls:
  Effective unboxing videos skillfully balance mundane moments with exciting reveals to maintain a steady stream of dopamine, keeping viewers engaged without overwhelming them.

  Co-host [12:01]: "If you have too much of a lull, people might get bored and leave. The anticipation is over."

---

Priming: Setting the Stage for Excitement

Priming involves preparing the audience’s mindset to enhance their emotional response.

• Techniques in Unboxing:
  Hosts often prime viewers by hinting at potential surprises or expressing excitement about the contents, thereby heightening anticipation.

  Melina Palmer [12:46]: "If you want someone to be excited about the unboxing process, you should prime them for that excitement."

• Example:
  Discussing the possibility of uncovering rare items in a Pokémon card pack primes viewers to maintain interest throughout the video.

  Co-host [13:02]: "The best of the videos will talk about what sort of ultra-rare or awesome items could be inside the box before they start opening."

---

Engaging All Five Senses

To maximize viewer engagement, unboxing videos can incorporate elements that stimulate all five senses:

1. Sight:
   High-quality visuals showcasing the product and its packaging.

   Melina Palmer [15:31]: "Help get those mirror neurons firing."

2. Sound:
   Crisp audio of opening the box or ambient sounds related to the product.

   Co-host [16:01]: "Incorporate the sound of the box as you cut into it."

3. Touch:
   Descriptive language about the texture or feel of the product.

   Melina Palmer [16:08]: "Is it smooth? Is there some special texture?"

4. Smell:
   For scented products, vivid descriptions can evoke the sense of smell.

   Melina Palmer [16:17]: "Imagine a chef on the Food Network describing flavors."

5. Taste:
   Although less common, creative analogies can indirectly reference taste.

   Melina Palmer [18:02]: "The shoes could have leather on them that's smooth, like butter."

Melina emphasizes that even if directly engaging all senses isn't feasible, leveraging descriptive language can significantly enhance the viewer's immersive experience.

---

Practical Tips for Creating Engaging Unboxing Videos

Melina synthesizes the discussed concepts into actionable strategies for entrepreneurs and content creators:

1. Incorporate Mirror Neurons:
   By expressing genuine excitement, creators can trigger viewers' mirror neurons to simulate the experience.

2. Leverage Dopamine Through Anticipation:
   Build suspense and strategically reveal exciting elements to maintain dopamine-driven engagement.

3. Effective Priming:
   Set expectations and hint at surprises to prime viewers for heightened emotional responses.

4. Stimulate the Senses:
   Use descriptive language and visual/audio elements to engage multiple senses, enhancing the overall experience.

5. Balance Exciting and Mundane Moments:
   Avoid monotony by interspersing high-energy reveals with calmer segments to sustain interest.

---

Case Study: Pat Flynn’s Viral Unboxing Success

Melina references Pat Flynn, a prominent figure discussed in Episode 500, who successfully employed unboxing strategies to propel his YouTube channels to millions of subscribers and billions of views.

• Consistent Content Creation:
  Pat’s commitment to daily unboxing of Pokémon card packs, coupled with a catchy jingle, exemplifies how consistency and unique elements can drive viral success.

  Melina Palmer [22:00]: "And he has these as a template that he says it doesn't even take him that long anymore and it makes him now, you know, five figures just from that channel itself."

• Viral Momentum:
  Pat's channel experienced exponential growth after a single video went "bonkers," demonstrating the potent combination of engaging content and psychological triggers.

---

Conclusion: Harnessing the Science of Unboxing for Your Business

Melina wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to apply the psychological principles of mirror neurons, dopamine-driven anticipation, priming, and sensory engagement to their own unboxing or reveal strategies. By thoughtfully integrating these elements, businesses can craft compelling moments that foster joy, engagement, and potential virality.

Melina Palmer [20:53]: "It's all a beautiful example of how we're wired to learn and feel alongside others. And now that you understand what's happening under the surface, you can use it in your own business to craft moments of joy, engagement, and yes, maybe even a little bit of viral magic."

She also invites listeners to share their experiences and connect on social media, further fostering a community of brain-friendly business practices.

---

Key Takeaways

• Mirror Neurons: Enable viewers to empathize and experience the unboxing vicariously.
• Dopamine and Anticipation: Sustained anticipation drives engagement more than the actual reward.
• Priming: Prepares and excites the audience, enhancing their emotional investment.
• Sensory Engagement: Leveraging all five senses through descriptive content amplifies viewer immersion.
• Strategic Content Creation: Balancing excitement with calm moments keeps the audience hooked without causing fatigue.

By understanding and applying these behavioral economics principles, businesses and content creators can elevate their unboxing videos from mere product demonstrations to engaging psychological experiences that resonate deeply with audiences.

---

Connect with Melina Palmer:
For more insights, resources, and to engage with Melina, visit The Brainy Business or follow her on LinkedIn.

Transcript

[Melina Palmer]

Hey there, Melina.

[Co-host]

Here to celebrate 500 episodes of the.

[Melina Palmer]

Brainy Business, we've put together some goodies for you. First off, our website is now searchable so you can find books and episodes.

[Co-host]

By topic, guest or behavioral concept.

[Melina Palmer]

Just visit the BrainyBusiness.com podcast or TheBrainyBusiness.com.

[Co-host]

Books to try it out.

[Melina Palmer]

And for the first time ever, we have pulled together all of our more than 125 free worksheets in one easy to use guide, including a brand new.

[Co-host]

Brainy Kickstart worksheet that can be used to take a first action and gain.

[Melina Palmer]

Momentum in 10 minutes or less. Head to the BrainyBusiness.com guide to grab your free companion guide and get instant access to all the best tools. That's the BrainyBusiness.com guide. Let's make applying what you learn easier than ever. Thank you for more than one and a half million downloads across 500 episodes of the Brainy Business.

[Co-host]

I'm sure you'll love this episode too. So when you're ready, let's start the show.

[Melina Palmer]

Welcome to episode 501 of the Brainy Business. Understanding the Psychology of why People Buy. In today's episode, we're talking about unboxing.

Videos and the brain science behind why they work.

[Co-host]

Ready?

[Melina Palmer]

Let's get started.

You are listening to the Brainy Business podcast where we dig into the psychology of why people buy and help you incorporate behavioral economics into your business, making it more brain friendly. Now, here's your host, Melina Palmer.

Hello.

[Co-host]

Hello everyone.

[Melina Palmer]

My name is Melina Palmer and I want to welcome you to the Brainy Business Podcast. Have you ever wondered why millions of people love watching strangers open boxes on the Internet? Whether it's toys, tech or trading cards, there is something oddly satisfying about it. But as you might expect, it's not.

Just a quirky Internet trend.

It's brain science. Today's refreshed episode, which originally aired back in 2021, is all about the behavioral science behind unboxing videos and why they're so popular across platforms and and audiences. If you've ever watched someone open a pack of Pokemon cards or unwrap the.

[Co-host]

Latest iPhone, you've likely felt that little.

[Melina Palmer]

Rush of excitement right along with them. Why lots of mirror neurons, dopamine, anticipation priming, and so much more you're going to hear about throughout today's episode. And if you just listen to episode 500 with the amazing Pat Flynn, you.

Probably noticed a connection here.

While we mostly focused that conversation on his face. Fantastic new book, Lean learning. Pat also talked about his Pokemon YouTube channel Short Pocket Monster, and how curiosity and experimentation helped it grow to millions of subscribers and billions of views.

[Co-host]

And it got me thinking.

[Melina Palmer]

What better way to explore curiosity and anticipation than by revisiting this episode?

So whether you're thinking about doing an.

Unboxing of your own or just want.

To better understand why these videos hook.

So so many people and what your brain is doing while you watch them, this episode is for you really quickly. Before we get into the episode, I want to make sure you know that there are links in the show, notes for my top related past episodes and books, ways to get in touch, and more. It's all within the app you're listening to and@the brainybusiness.com 501 now let's talk about the psychology of unboxing videos.

[Co-host]

I don't know what things are like at your house, but if we let them, our kiddos would likely watch unboxing videos all day, every day. They love them, and there are all kinds with thousands or sometimes millions of views. People opening packs of Pokemon cards or boxes of shoes or toys from a.

[Melina Palmer]

Box, sometimes when you can even see through the packaging, so it's barely a surprise.

[Co-host]

You can also get a little outside the box with the videos that ask what color sprinkles or slime or kinetic.

[Melina Palmer]

Sand is on the inside of a.

[Co-host]

Contraption, and you watch them mix it up or cut it open to show the hidden contents. I've seen videos that ask what color the furry stuff they use in needle.

[Melina Palmer]

Felting is going to become when you mix them together.

[Co-host]

There are countless ways to do unboxing or reveal videos.

[Melina Palmer]

I did one myself when the box.

[Co-host]

Arrived with my book inside and I got to see and hold them for the very first time. It's cool to share that moment of realizing you're a real true author with others, and unboxing helped with that, especially because my book came out during the pandemic and I had to do all of that reveal and launch virtually.

[Melina Palmer]

Regardless of what version of an unboxing.

[Co-host]

You choose to go with, there are the same few components at play that can make it a really great unboxing or boring that people are going to tune out of right away. In this episode, I'm going to talk about four main things that are happening with unboxing videos, either that you should keep in mind when you watch them or when you're creating them yourself. We're going to talk about mirror neurons, dopamine created by anticipation priming and all the senses. All these concepts have dedicated past episodes.

[Melina Palmer]

On the podcast, which are linked for.

[Co-host]

You in those show notes I've already Talked [e-mail] 1-890So let's kick things off with mirror neurons, which are the focus of episode 31.

[Melina Palmer]

Mirror neurons are the key to empathy and our ability to learn from observing.

[Co-host]

Others instead of only by doing things ourselves.

[Melina Palmer]

Scientists have of course known we have the ability to learn and behave this.

[Co-host]

Way, but they didn't really know why.

[Melina Palmer]

Until mirror neurons were discovered in the early 90s. Let me tell you a story.

[Co-host]

Once upon a time, on a particularly hot day, there was a monkey in a lab at the University of Parma in Italy.

[Melina Palmer]

It had some electrodes in its brain to test motor control and what areas in the brain would light up when.

[Co-host]

The monkey would grab a cup or a peanut and then drink water or eat the peanut. This would allow the scientists to understand.

[Melina Palmer]

How the brain lights up for various.

[Co-host]

Motor control actions and if it was.

[Melina Palmer]

Different when a monkey grabbed a cup.

[Co-host]

Versus a block versus a peanut butter and things like that. On this fateful day, one of the.

[Melina Palmer]

Researchers reportedly came in eating an ice cream cone.

[Co-host]

The monkey did not move, and from the outside, all that someone might have noticed would be its eyes getting a.

[Melina Palmer]

Little bigger with interest. But the brain told a different story.

[Co-host]

The monkey's brain lit up as if it were eating the ice cream itself.

[Melina Palmer]

Further studies found that when a person.

[Co-host]

Grabbed the peanut to hand it to the monkey, its brain would light up.

[Melina Palmer]

As if it were grasping the peanut itself.

[Co-host]

And if a researcher put a peanut in their mouth, the monkey's brain would light up as if it was eating.

[Melina Palmer]

The peanut as well. Even when no movement occurs, the brain.

[Co-host]

Experiences tasks along with others as if it were experiencing these same things itself. This allowed the team to accidentally discover and publish about mirror neurons. So we know monkeys have them, but what about humans? The short answer is yes, we humans.

[Melina Palmer]

Have mirror neurons as well, and they greatly impact our lives every day. Mirror neurons have done some amazing things for all of humanity.

[Co-host]

First of which is our ability to learn by observation, and second is our ability to empathize.

[Melina Palmer]

We humans tend to take for granted.

[Co-host]

How quickly and easily we learn things.

[Melina Palmer]

Simply by watching others. It's not something every species can do.

[Co-host]

One way we can do this is.

[Melina Palmer]

Through our mirror neurons.

[Co-host]

For example, a child watching an adult.

[Melina Palmer]

Open a jar can learn how to open a jar when presented with one.

[Co-host]

A ballerina being taught the proper way.

[Melina Palmer]

To turn out their toes or lift.

[Co-host]

Their arm can do so by watching someone else.

[Melina Palmer]

An aspiring public speaker can watch others give presentations and get tips for what.

[Co-host]

To do and not to do themselves.

[Melina Palmer]

All this can be done without talking.

[Co-host]

To anyone or physically performing the acts, which is really astonishing when you think about it. And without mirror neurons, it really wouldn't be possible. If you've ever seen someone get a paper cut and almost felt it yourself, having that cringy moment, you can't help but experience it's because of your mirror neurons. In an unboxing video, when someone else is opening the box, it's like we're doing it ourselves.

[Melina Palmer]

We're able to live vicariously through that experience. And because of the dopamine release I'll.

[Co-host]

Talk about in a minute. It's very exciting for our brains, even.

[Melina Palmer]

If we can't have and will never.

[Co-host]

Have the item that's being being opened or revealed. If you sell a product, it may.

[Melina Palmer]

Feel silly to do unboxing videos for it. But don't be so hasty. When someone watches a video of someone.

[Co-host]

Else opening an item, it makes it so they feel they've done it themselves. And because of familiarity bias, we feel.

[Melina Palmer]

Comfortable with things we've already done before or believe we have.

[Co-host]

So watching someone buy a product or.

[Melina Palmer]

Open a box and remove and enjoy.

[Co-host]

Its contents makes it easier for us.

[Melina Palmer]

To buy and experience that opening in the future. Mirror Neurons make it so we feel as though we're experiencing the opening as it happens.

[Co-host]

But why do we like that so much?

[Melina Palmer]

One big reason is dopamine. Dopamine is one of the four main.

[Co-host]

Dose brain chemicals I talked about on episode 123.

[Melina Palmer]

Those chemicals are ones that our brains.

[Co-host]

Like to get because it makes them feel good. Our brains seek out dopamine and like predictable ways to to get it. Dopamine is tied to anticipation.

[Melina Palmer]

And so when there is a moment where you aren't sure what's going to.

[Co-host]

Happen, where you're waiting for that reveal.

[Melina Palmer]

And don't know what's coming out of.

[Co-host]

The box, you're getting a kick of dopamine when you expect that there will.

[Melina Palmer]

Be something mundane and it ends up.

[Co-host]

Being better than expected, you get extra dopamine.

[Melina Palmer]

So if an unboxing video includes some.

[Co-host]

Items that are ultra rare and it.

[Melina Palmer]

Can create some delight when you get.

[Co-host]

That positive, unexpected reveal.

[Melina Palmer]

And there is benefit to having a.

[Co-host]

Mix of great stuff and more mundane stuff. You don't just want all highs all the time.

[Melina Palmer]

And here's why.

[Co-host]

One study that tested out dopamine release in monkeys found a Couple of important things that relates to unboxing videos. First, let me explain the study a bit.

[Melina Palmer]

There are details about it in the show notes for anyone who wants to learn more.

[Co-host]

This was a test also with some monkeys who were trained to know that.

[Melina Palmer]

When a light turned on, it meant.

[Co-host]

They could earn a reward to get their treat.

[Melina Palmer]

They had to press a lever 10 times once the light was on.

[Co-host]

Then they got and could eat their treat.

[Melina Palmer]

What the researchers assumed when building the.

[Co-host]

Study was that the dopamine would come.

[Melina Palmer]

When the reward came.

[Co-host]

But what they learned was that it.

[Melina Palmer]

Was more linked to anticipation. So the dopamine release starts when the.

[Co-host]

Light comes on it's highest while the monkey is doing the work and stops.

[Melina Palmer]

When the treat comes out. The enjoyment for the brain is in.

[Co-host]

The work and wondering what's going to happen. Once you know what's in the box.

[Melina Palmer]

Or how the movie ends or you.

[Co-host]

Get the treat, the joy for your brain is over. It's about savoring the anticipation that the brain loves.

[Melina Palmer]

And another interesting finding was that when there was only a 50% chance of getting the treat.

[Co-host]

So half the time when the monkey pressed the lever ten times, nothing happened. And the other half, they got their treat. Dopamine doubled.

[Melina Palmer]

Our brains sure love that uncertainty and anticipation.

[Co-host]

So with an unboxing video, you need.

[Melina Palmer]

To be sure to not rush it. Include something a little mundane perhaps in.

[Co-host]

The box and something really awesome and unexpected to the viewer.

[Melina Palmer]

And you could have a dopamine boost for the audience. One example would be instead of just moving the tissue paper to the side, pull it out first, talk about it a little.

[Co-host]

That's still part of the reveal, but it helps make it so when the.

[Melina Palmer]

Really exciting thing comes, they're that much more thrilled to experience it with you.

[Co-host]

This brings us to priming, which is.

[Melina Palmer]

All about what happens just before a decision is made.

[Co-host]

It can be an image, words, or.

[Melina Palmer]

Involve the senses as you'll hear as we go.

[Co-host]

And priming was the focus of episode 18.

[Melina Palmer]

If you want someone to be excited.

[Co-host]

About the unboxing process, you should prime.

[Melina Palmer]

Them for that excitement. One easy thing to do is smile. This is a mirror neuron thing as well. If you're excited, the brain of the.

[Co-host]

Viewer will mirror that and talk about.

[Melina Palmer]

What sort of awesome things could be inside the box. As an example, with opening Pokemon packs.

[Co-host]

Something we see a lot of in this house, the best of the videos will talk about what sort of ultra.

[Melina Palmer]

Rare or awesome items could be inside the box before they start opening. They may allude to something they are hoping for, something they heard was really.

[Co-host]

Cool that could be inside and make sure the audience knows they aren't counting on it. But how amazing would it be to open that first edition Charizard Hollow or the Pikachu Illustrator promo card or something with alternate art or that's shiny or.

[Melina Palmer]

Otherwise uncommon and therefore cool? Hello scarcity.

[Co-host]

By priming for what could be in the pack and building that excitement, you.

[Melina Palmer]

Make any cool card add to the thrill.

[Co-host]

As long as you're obviously excited about it for their brains to mirror and know how cool it is. I must say I constantly have to.

[Melina Palmer]

Tell the kids to turn down the.

[Co-host]

Volume on their iPads when they're watching these kinds of videos. My parent brain says why in the world do all these people have to.

[Melina Palmer]

Yell and scream on YouTube?

[Co-host]

My behavioral economics brain knows why the.

[Melina Palmer]

Excitement of the person doing the unboxing breeds more excitement in the viewer. On these types of unboxing videos, they don't just open one pack of cards.

[Co-host]

Because the likelihood you'll get something valuable is very low. They open an entire box or a.

[Melina Palmer]

Case, some of which are guaranteed to.

[Co-host]

Have a few special cards inside.

[Melina Palmer]

And I'm guessing they don't air the.

[Co-host]

Ones where they got nothing good at all. Or they can edit it so the.

[Melina Palmer]

Boring stuff doesn't go on too long.

[Co-host]

With some time lapse or whatnot. And that's getting back to our dopamine.

[Melina Palmer]

And anticipation conversation from a few moments ago.

[Co-host]

If you have too much of a lull, people might get bored and leave. The anticipation is over. It's maybe not worth the wait. It's okay to play the B side for a while, but you need to.

[Melina Palmer]

Mix in a few hits here and there to keep it interesting.

Total old school reference there, by the way.

For all the youngins listening, let me.

[Co-host]

Know if you didn't get that reference. And for everyone who did, hopefully it was some wonderful nostalgia for you. All right, so here's the last component for our unboxing video tips. When you create an unboxing video, it's important to try and incorporate all five of the senses whenever you can to.

[Melina Palmer]

Help get those mirror neurons firing.

[Co-host]

I did an entire series on the senses, which starts on episode 24. And of course they're all linked for you in the show [e-mail] 180 that means sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. I know of course that not everything.

[Melina Palmer]

Being unboxed is edible, but there are still words and terms and images that can trigger those parts of the brain. Let's say you unbox some scented candles.

[Co-host]

You want to be sure there's great.

[Melina Palmer]

Lighting, so the visual is amazing. You can incorporate the sound of the.

[Co-host]

Box as you cut into it and talk about how it feels to hold.

[Melina Palmer]

The box that the candle comes in. Is it smooth? Is there some special texture? Perhaps it's velvety. Use your priming words to help showcase.

[Co-host]

What people can't experience through the camera. When you talk about the scent, describe it using really delectable and colorful language.

[Melina Palmer]

Imagine a chef on the Food Network.

[Co-host]

They need to explain the flavor and.

[Melina Palmer]

Texture of the food they're eating to.

[Co-host]

Help your brain experience it along with them and want to make something yourself.

[Melina Palmer]

They don't just say it's a hamburger. They talk about the luscious butter mixing with the acidity and spice of the pickle and the crunch and saltiness of.

[Co-host]

Some special fried onion strips they placed on it. And the ooey gooey cheese that really.

[Melina Palmer]

Balances everything out with a bold, nutty flavor and a fresh chipotle aioli with a hint of cilantro.

[Co-host]

You get the idea, and maybe your.

[Melina Palmer]

Mouth is watering a bit.

If so, that was the whole point.

You can also do that with your candle.

[Co-host]

In this hypothetical unboxing, think of the nostalgia someone might have from that item.

[Melina Palmer]

Our brains love novelty and story. You could say how this candle has a wave of cinnamon mixed with a.

[Co-host]

Light burst of citrus that reminds you of the mold cider your grandmother used to make when you went to see.

[Melina Palmer]

Her over the holidays. And that you can almost taste it and remember how warm it was when.

[Co-host]

You smelled this candle, that the smell.

[Melina Palmer]

Envelops you like one of her warm hugs.

[Co-host]

Descriptive priming words that evoke the senses are critical when doing any video, and in an unboxing, they're really, really important to get people excited and living in.

[Melina Palmer]

That moment with you. Of course, you can't always use all the senses.

[Co-host]

I get that. But it doesn't mean you shouldn't try. It's time to practice. If you were going to have to.

[Melina Palmer]

Use a taste word to describe those shoes you're unboxing or your new book.

[Co-host]

What would it be?

[Melina Palmer]

The shoes could have leather on them.

[Co-host]

That smooth, like butter. Or in my case, because my publisher's.

[Melina Palmer]

Name is Mango, I could even talk about how seeing the little mangoes on the side of the book make me.

[Co-host]

Want to go get one. Or that this moment is sweet like.

[Melina Palmer]

The mangoes on the spine of my new books.

[Co-host]

And it's a little out of the.

[Melina Palmer]

Box pun intended and may not make.

[Co-host]

It into the final cut, but it's good to push yourself and think about it at first. Expect that it's going to feel a little unnatural. That's why I want you to practice.

[Melina Palmer]

And feel free to watch all sorts of other unboxings or cooking and baking.

[Co-host]

Shows to get you motivated. I intentionally timed this video to come out just after Thanksgiving here in the States, right? Right in the midst of all the great holiday baking shows and a plethora of I ordered this item. Watch me open it to see if.

[Melina Palmer]

You should order it as a gift for your family member.

[Co-host]

Videos the Internet is full of unboxing videos for a reason.

[Melina Palmer]

Find some with lots and lots of.

[Co-host]

Views and watch some that have very little views if you can so you.

[Melina Palmer]

Can take notes of things to do.

[Co-host]

And not to do, ask where are.

[Melina Palmer]

They using mirror neurons to get your.

[Co-host]

Brain stimulated and feeling as though you're there with them.

[Melina Palmer]

Are they doing a good job of building anticipation and creating that dopamine? Or do they need more or do they need to cut out some lulls?

[Co-host]

How are they priming you for what.

[Melina Palmer]

Is to come to make you excited? Which senses are being incorporated into the video?

[Co-host]

Did they get all five?

[Melina Palmer]

How might they have incorporated one they missed?

[Co-host]

And once you're thoroughly inspired, it's time to think about your own business.

[Melina Palmer]

If you've never done an unboxing or reveal video before, what could you do.

[Co-host]

One of Write down all the options.

[Melina Palmer]

Find what others are doing, and see.

[Co-host]

How you might do something similar or different.

[Melina Palmer]

Don't just follow the herd. Unique unboxings that follow these tips still.

[Co-host]

Have enough familiarity to be exciting for people.

[Melina Palmer]

And as long as you follow these.

[Co-host]

Steps I've talked about in the episode, any sort of reveal or unboxing can have that captivating benefit that you get from an unboxing like we're talking about here today. Don't feel like you have to just live within the realm of what everyone has already done. Something a little bit different can be.

[Melina Palmer]

Really exciting and beneficial for your business.

[Co-host]

Find something that works for you.

[Melina Palmer]

Plan in advance how you might incorporate.

[Co-host]

All our aspects from this episode. Mirror neurons, anticipation, priming and all five senses and hit record.

[Melina Palmer]

So what got your brain buzzing as you learned about unboxing videos today? For me, the tie between unboxing and curiosity is awesome. The way our brains fire with mirror neurons, the dopamine spike from anticipation, and how our senses and priming shape the experience is. It's all a beautiful example of how we're wired to learn and feel alongside others. And now that you understand what's happening under the surface, you can use it in your own business to craft moments of joy, engagement, and yes, maybe even a little bit of viral magic.

Now, I mentioned in the intro that.

I refreshed this one today because of my conversation with Pat Flynn that just came out a couple days ago about for episode 500. And in it when we talked about his YouTube channels, including his second of Short Pocket Monster, which is all about Pokemon cards. So he has another very successful YouTube channel called Deep Pocket Monster that also has, you know, well over a million subscribers and many, many millions of views. But he decided to do a shorts channel where all he does is open.

A pack of Pokemon cards every day.

At the same time of day. And when he opens them, he has a little jingle. It says, should I open it or should I keep it sealed?

Right?

And so when it sings that, then you open the card and it either says like, you know, hooray and celebrates good thing you opened it. Or it says should have kept it sealed. And it's kind of this, like, sad moment.

So that thing, and we talk about.

This in that episode 500 is he talked about how, you know, he committed to do this for 60 days and the first month he didn't see too.

[Co-host]

Much, a few hundred views, but then.

[Melina Palmer]

One of them just went bonkers and had 750,000 views.

And now he averages over a million.

Views per episode on these little like one minute opening a pack of cards videos that he does. So talk about viral magic and being able to be consistent in that. It's amazing what can be done with unboxing. And he has these as a template that he says it doesn't even take him that long anymore and it makes him now, you know, five figures just.

[Co-host]

From that channel itself and more.

[Melina Palmer]

So awesome, awesome, awesome, cool stuff. If you haven't already checked that out, definitely do. Especially if you enjoyed this episode on unboxing videos.

[Co-host]

So what about you?

[Melina Palmer]

Have you ever created or thought about making an unboxing video? Or is there a product reveal in.

Your business you could rethink through this lens? Or are you just a fan of Short Pocket Monster and seeing those videos from Pat or anybody else? Whatever it is, come share it with.

[Co-host]

Me on social media.

[Melina Palmer]

You'll find me as the brainy biz.

Pretty much everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. There are links in the show notes to make it easy as well as for my top related past episodes and books, ways to get in touch with me and more. It's all waiting for you in the app you're listening to [e-mail] 501 and just like that, episode 501 on unboxing videos and the brain science behind them is done. Join me Tuesday for another Brainy episode of the Brainy Business Podcast. It's going to be a lot of fun. You don't want to miss it. Until then, thanks again for listening and learning with me, and remember to be thoughtful.

Thank you for listening to the Brainy Business Podcast. Molina offers virtual strategy sessions, workshops, and other services to help businesses be more brain friendly. For more free resources, visit thebrainybusiness.com.