How to use 'Hype Selling' to instantly sell out

Hype Selling smashes.

It lets you build so much demand that your customers no longer price shop you or compare you to the competition.

Am I sure it works?

Ha.

Well…

Supreme sells $523 million of clothes per year.

The Fifth Watches sold $1 million of watches in one day - one year after opening.

Apple pre-sold $36 billion worth of iPhone 16s in one day.

The question isn’t if it works.

The question is, how do you use Hype Selling to sell out of your product or service?

Here’s the fastest plan you can use:

Pre-Note: Start at least 3 weeks in advance. The longer you build up anticipation, the bigger the launch will be.

Step 1: Post pictures and videos of your product on all your social media accounts.

Step 2: Link to an email and text messaging landing page where you collect customer info in exchange for notifying them when the drop is.

Step 3: Continue posting about the product release on your Stories and your main feed until the product is released.

Step 4: Email and text your list about the drop 24 hours out, 1 hour out, and when it releases.

Supreme, the streetwear brand, does $523 million in sales each year—and they often sell out within minutes of dropping new items.

They’ve mastered hype by making their products feel exclusive and scarce.

Their fans will pay top dollar to get their hands on limited releases, even camping out for hours just to get in line.

The Fifth Watches, a company that launched in 2014, made $1 million in just one day.

How?

They used hype to sell their watches only on the 5th of each month for five days. Customers knew they had to act fast, or they’d miss their chance for another 30 days.

That sense of urgency created a frenzy around their brand.

And Apple? Apple pre-sold $36 billion worth of iPhone 16s in just one day.

People were lining up online to be first in line for a phone they hadn’t even seen in person.

The combination of brand loyalty, innovation, and the sheer excitement around each new release guarantees that Apple doesn’t need to compete on price. People just want in.

The question isn’t if it works.

The question is: How do you use Hype Selling to sell out of your product or service?

Let’s break it down step by step.

Supreme built its empire on this principle. Their “drops” happen every couple of weeks, and when an item is sold out, it’s likely gone forever.

You want your product to feel like something only a select few can get their hands on. Build an early-access list, or create a VIP club for your most loyal customers. Maybe even offer early-bird specials for insiders who sign up ahead of time.

The Fifth Watches nailed this. They didn’t just say, “We’re selling watches.” They turned it into an event—watches only available for five days each month. Leading up to those five days, they hyped the sale with countdowns, emails, and social media buzz. You need to start early. Tease your product. Share sneak peeks. Talk about the benefits without giving away all the details. Build a sense of mystery and excitement so that, by the time launch day comes, your customers are itching to buy.

Apple’s biggest flex? People don’t even wait for reviews anymore. The hype is already built-in because they’ve shown time and again that they deliver. But early on, social proof played a big part in their success. You can do the same. Whether it’s influencer marketing, testimonials, or user-generated content, show your audience that others are already excited. When people see others raving about your product, they want to jump on the bandwagon.

Supreme’s weekly drops create urgency. If you don’t buy now, it’s gone forever. The Fifth Watches locked their sales into a tight, five-day window every month. You need to put time pressure on your customers. Announce your launch date, and make it clear that this is their only chance to buy. Whether it’s a limited-time sale or a short pre-order window, people act faster when they know time is running out.

The early bird gets the worm. Or in this case, the limited-edition product. Apple often offers exclusive benefits to those who pre-order early, like faster shipping or custom options. You can offer special bonuses for early buyers—discounts, free gifts, or limited-edition items. These extras make people feel special and give them an incentive to buy right away.

Here’s the thing: The hype won’t matter if your product doesn’t deliver. Apple’s iPhones, Supreme’s streetwear, and The Fifth’s watches all meet high expectations. The product needs to be worth the excitement you’ve built around it. Quality and customer satisfaction are key to ensuring that people come back for more—and tell their friends about it.

Hype selling isn’t just for big brands like Supreme, Apple, and The Fifth Watches. You can use these same strategies to create buzz, build demand, and sell out. The key is to make your customers feel like they’re getting something special, and to build urgency around your offer.

Now, it’s time to ask yourself: How will you use Hype Selling to take your business to the next level?