The Power of Fresh Start Dates

The use of fresh start dates, such as the start of a new term or year, significantly increases the likelihood of people committing to activities like going to the gym, starting to save, or studying. A test using Google surveys showed that people were two times more likely to engage in an activity when presented with a fresh start date compared to a specific date in the future. This tactic can be impactful in marketing, such as promoting a movie trailer by specifying the season of release rather than a specific date, or encouraging people to make a New Year's resolution around a product to increase engagement. Providing a teaser for a podcast and suggesting a specific time to listen, such as during the Monday morning commute, is more effective in convincing people to listen compared to a general call to action.