The Dangerous Mix of MagicianArchetype Branding and Pain-Point Marketing

The Dangerous Mix of Magician Archetype Branding and Pain-Point Marketing for Marginalized Communities


Marketing is powerful.

It doesn’t just sell… it shapes the way we see ourselves, our potential, and our worth.

and when you mix Magician archetype branding with pain-point marketing, that power can become dangerous, especially for marginalized communities like those with ADHD and invisible disabilities.


First, what is “Archetype Branding”?

Well, ALL branding archetypes are based on Carl Jung’s theory of universal archetypes which says… that people instinctively recognize certain character types and narratives that they can connect with as their own, across cultures. These archetypes tap into deep psychological associations which makes branding more relatable, memorable, and emotionally compelling or triggering depending on how it’s used. With marketing… the brand archetypes guide how we shape brand personality, messaging, imagery, and storytelling to create deep connections. The archetypes can be a powerful way to integrate marketing psychology and behavioral marketing…. in addition to STP research (segmentation/targeting/positioning).


What is “Magician Archetype” Branding?

The Magician Archetype:
Transformation and the Promise of Change

The Magician brand archetype is all about transformation, alchemy, and unlocking hidden potential.

It’s character parameters indicate that we “target” people or potential clients who are in the mid to premium income bracket range.

Clients who are drawn to Magician Archetype Brands seek transformation, mastery, and a sense of wonder. They are not just buying a product or service, they are investing in something that unlocks new possibilities, elevates their experience, or helps them transcend limitations.

But it is also a particularly compelling archetype, especially for people who have felt misunderstood, held back, or out of place in society.

The Magician archetype says:

“I have the key to your breakthrough. Work with me, and everything will change.”

This messaging can be powerful in an ethical way and when it’s used to inspire, expand, and encourage self-trust.

But when combined with pain-point marketing, it can become deeply manipulative.

Pain-Point Marketing:
Pressing on Wounds to Force Urgency

Pain-point marketing triggers survival instincts.

It highlights a problem in an intense way, making people feel like they must act immediately to avoid failure, suffering, or regret.

For people with ADHD and invisible disabilities, who have spent their lives navigating systemic barriers, this is way more than just an emotional trigger.

The combination of Magician Archetype Branding, Pain Point Marketing, and Novice or No STP strategy… will completely hijack their neurobiology.

Now, there are coaches out there who know this type of marketing is super effective without consciously knowing WHY.

So I am illuminating why here, so we can all change our marketing practices to be more ethical.

This is also better for our businesses, as the customer satisfaction rate and long term customer value rate will go up, which lowers new customer acquisition costs and ensures your warm/hot/paying audience is comprised of people who will not only more likely become repeat customers, but will leave better reviews, facilitate better word of mouth which protects your company’s reputation for the long term. This strategy is the antithesis of “get rich quick scam coaching businesses” and focuses on creating a lasting impact and legacy for change.

Now ADHDers and other persons with neurocognitive differences are 300% more likely to start their own businesses and therefore need business coaching than those without ADHD. This is because of the need for alternative income methods among other factors. They are also much more likely to seek self-understanding and self-improvement. So whether you intend to or not, if you’re marketing anything “transformation” or business, you are marketing to diagnosed or undiagnosed neurodiverse populations.


The ADHD Brain, Dopamine,
and Lottery Mentality

People with ADHD struggle with executive function, impulse control, and delayed gratification due to differences in dopamine regulation. This makes them especially vulnerable to high-risk, high-reward thinking or essentially to engage in gambling behaviors or lottery mentality.


How This Works in the Brain:

Low Baseline Dopamine 
ADHD brains have less baseline dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, reward, and pleasure. This makes everyday tasks harder to initiate and sustain.

High Sensitivity to Reward & Risk 
because dopamine is low, ADHD brains crave big, dramatic wins. This can lead to impulsivity, emotional decision-making, and a heightened response to urgent, high-reward messaging in your marketing.

Pain + Promise = Urgent Action
when someone presses on an existing wound (“Are you struggling with X?”) and then offers a miraculous-seeming solution (“This is your chance to fix it forever!”), it creates a dopamine spike.


This can lead to:

•  Impulsive purchases based on emotion, not logic.
•  High expectations for transformation, without sustainable support.
•  Shame cycles when the “solution” doesn’t magically fix everything.

Which means for coaching businesses:

• Clients saying yes to contracts that they are optimistic about making payments that they will ultimately default on.
• Clients not getting the perceived transformation from the investment.
• Bad reputation, reviews, drama etc from negative impact and unconscious or exploitative marketing.

This is exactly how casino gambling, pyramid schemes, and predatory coaching programs exploit neurodivergent people. They leverage pain + hope, which equals impulsive investment.

The Problem:
Exploiting Survival Mode

For people with invisible disabilities, systemic oppression, and financial instability, this marketing tactic is even worse.

If you’re already surviving a system that isn’t built for you, and someone comes along and activates your pain while offering a “secret key” to success, it doesn’t feel like a sales pitch, it feels like a lifeline.

and that’s super dangerous because…

• It preys on scarcity thinking (while telling clients to “think abundant” and not invest from sarcity which is a special kind of manipulative). If someone has been denied opportunities, they may feel like this one chance is their only shot at success.
•  It activates emotional decision-making. ADHD brains struggle with evaluating long-term consequences over immediate relief.
•  It shifts responsibility onto the buyer. When the solution doesn’t work, the person blames themselves instead of the manipulative marketing.
  
  

How “Ethically Exclusive” Brands Can Do Better

✅ Market to Expansion, Not Desperation.

Instead of positioning yourself as the only answer, invite people into possibility that “You’re already powerful. Here’s how to expand on that.” “Your success is inevitable. now let’s make it sustainable.”

✅ Use Transparency, Not Urgency.
Be honest about what your offer can and can’t do. If something takes time, say that.

✅ Focus on Long-Term Trust, Not Quick Wins.
Neurodivergent people need sustainable, supportive, and flexible solutions, not overnight “fixes.”

✅ Teach Self-Trust, Not Dependency.
Ethical Magician branding doesn’t make people feel like they need a guru. It empowers them to believe in themselves.

The Magician archetype is beautiful when used with integrity. It represents innovation, transformation, expansion, and limitless possibility.

but it should never manipulate pain for profit and that’s what a LOT of coaches are out here doing, because they don’t consciously know *why* it works… but they know it makes them money.

Marginalized people, especially those with ADHD and invisible disabilities really don’t need another system that preys on their struggles.

They need businesses that empower their brilliance, honor their agency, and support their long-term success.

True transformation doesn’t happen through pain-driven urgency.

It happens through sustainable, self-trusting growth.

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Please read before sending comments. 

Disclaimer:

The purpose of this post is to increase awareness for marginalized communities who are most affected by this type of marketing and also to increase awareness for coaches who are conscious and ready and willing to do better through more ethical and conscious marketing practices.

I have specialized knowledge about how these practices affect neurodivergent and disabled communities. I have 22 years of experience in design and branding. I grew up in a family that worked in marketing and who had small businesses. I have done this my whole life, which next month will be a total of 44 years.

I am not available for “brand-splaining” from spiritual coaches who are triggered and who learned about “Magician Archetype Branding” two minutes ago, or from someone who is not in the branding industry.

I am available for conversations with seasoned spiritual coaches who either

A) have genuine expertise in branding or

B) have keen spidy senses, know when to de-center themselves and listen and learn, and understand that with great spiritual or mystic power, comes great responsibility… and truly want to take responsibility for how they market in meaningful and impactful ways.

#invisibledisabilities #BusinessCoaching #marketing #consiousmarketing #adhdwomen #inclusion

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