Once the sole domain of the BDSM and kink community, electrostimulation has seen an increase in mainstream popularity in recent years. However, e-stim is still a lesser-known type of play with which many novice shoppers are unfamiliar. Folks reading this article are most likely already familiar with the basics of electrostimulation — but are you confident that you could introduce it to a complete novice outside of the industry?
Overcoming Preconceptions
Beginner stimulator kits are perfect for novice users as they contain all the equipment needed to get started with e-stim, but presented in a small, non-intimidating package.
One of the main barriers to entry with electrostimulation is that the name itself can conjure up some negative preconceptions for potential buyers. After all, from a young age, we’re all taught that electricity is something to be wary of, so it’s not surprising that the word “electro” can put some people off.
Being able to confidently demystify electrostimulation and demonstrate that it’s neither scary nor dangerous is a vital step for converting new shoppers to electro. Many e-stim newbies are surprised to learn just how versatile and non-scary electrostimulation can actually be. In the course of the ElectraStim brand's 20-plus years, the most common response from novices is, “I didn’t expect it to feel like that!”
Running the spectrum from soft and sensual tickles all the way to intense pulses that cause your muscles to clench, e-stim can cater to a huge range of tastes. There aren’t many toys where you can progress from a gentle massage to a hardcore fetish scene with the same basic equipment!
Safety First
Electrostimulation is perfectly safe when practiced correctly. Still, it does involve playing with an electric current! Novices should be made aware that they should never use e-stim if they:
- Are pregnant.
- Have epilepsy.
- Have any heart condition.
- Are suffering from a genital disorder or injury.
The first step in introducing e-stim to novice shoppers is understanding what they already know and breaking down negative opinions. Understanding how it works, why it’s safe to use and that it feels unlike any other type of adult toy often does a lot of the work to remove fear for novice users.
Getting Hands-On
E-stim can feel like a big step outside of some people’s comfort zones, so it’s our job to deliver a confident guided demonstration. There really is no better way for a novice to experience electrostimulation than by holding the product for themselves. Trying out a stimulator and a couple of hand-held probes will reassure even the most nervous beginner that a slow and controlled experience with e-stim is simple and safe.
Naturally, before you can demonstrate e-stim to customers, you will want to take advantage of available resources to make sure your retail staff is up to speed. For instance, ElectraStim offers complete demo kits and full training for all retailers. Try the in-store demonstration out yourself if possible, to really understand the sensations.
The best way to communicate how everything works is to give the new user full control of the stimulator and guide them through the process of changing the intensity and modes for themselves. Holding a probe in hand obviously doesn’t feel exactly as it would intimately — and it’s important to explain this — but at this stage, you’re merely looking to pique their interest and address any concerns they have.
Terminology is also important. Stay away from words like “shock,” “electric” or “zap,” as these terms do not accurately describe how e-stim really feels. Intense? Sure. Overwhelming? Sometimes, if you want it to be! But you’re never delivering a “shock.” It is helpful to have a list of key phrases in mind that describe the sensations associated with using e-stim erotically. Some examples of helpful words to use are “pulse,” “clench,” “tickle,” “tingle” and “contract.” One of our favorite ways to explain the pulsing feel of electro-stimulation is “the muscular clench before orgasm, but over and over… and over again.”
Electrostimulation requires a stimulator and at least one accessory, so it’s important for retailers to be able to explain what equipment is needed, and guide the shopper to pick the right one for them. You can also present a couple of possible scenarios to suggest how e-stim might be used solo or with a partner. Beginners sometimes need a little help envisioning how it can fit into their play.
Beginner stimulator kits are perfect for novice users as they contain all the equipment needed to get started with e-stim, but presented in a small, non-intimidating package. Electro accessories with familiar designs, like cock rings or dildos, can also help guide a beginner toward more experimentation. Starting with an electro pinwheel might be a little too much!
Selling Quality
Electro-sex toys are rarely an impulse purchase. In a world where there are sex toys available for under $10, electro-sex gear can seem like an investment.
That’s where your creativity in explaining and describing how all of this works comes into play. The adage “Good isn’t cheap and cheap isn’t good” is particularly apt in this case, as there are plenty of cheap TENS units out there repackaged as “electro-stimulation devices.” Unfortunately, we have found that users who are disappointed by a poor-quality electro-sex unit are unlikely ever to come back to the category to give specialist brands a chance.
If you can provide the education and support a novice needs to feel comfortable in their choice, you have a good chance of turning a curious novice into an electrostim connoisseur.
Top Five Selling Points of Electro for Novices
- Unique: Electro doesn’t feel like any other type of stimulation. It can mimic “buzzy” vibrations, or it can feel like intense muscle clenching or spanks.
- Versatile: There are many different accessories and a huge range of controllable sensations. Once shoppers have the stimulator, they can expand their kit with compatible accessories.
- Powerful: E-stim taps directly into the nerve endings, so it often feels more intense than the strongest vibrator. Always choose a unit with a high level of control, from super-subtle tingles to more intense clenches and pulses.
- Cutting-Edge: Due to the level of electrical engineering and design that goes into e-stim units from specialist manufacturers, they often use the most up-to-date processors and parts on the market.
- Creative: The “unconventional” nature of electrostimulation lends itself to being incorporated into more kinky scenarios. All the different modes, accessories and ways to play with e-stim allow for complex erotic scenes and a vast range of possibilities for a new user.
To wrap things up, here is a quick summary of our tips for selling electrostim to novices: Know how electrostimulation works so you can address a customer’s fears. Have a practiced demonstration technique that will put their minds at ease. Use descriptive language when explaining e-stim, including a few specific words and phrases that effectively convey the sensations. Present sample scenarios, help them choose the items best suited to their desires, and make sure they understand the importance of high-quality products when it comes to both safety and pleasure.
The more armed with knowledge a novice is, the more confident they’ll feel about trying electrostimulation in a way that suits them — and the more likely they will be to have a positive first experience.
Claire Blakeborough is the marketing and communications manager at Cyrex.
