The Best Thing I Did For My Business Part 3: Giving Customers VIP Deals
It’s So Good – C’est Si Bon Greeting Card by Letterpress
Everyone loves to save some cash, especially in this economy. That’s why special deals are a great way to boost sales. Some entrepreneurs I spoke with found success offering specials both on site, via email and via social media.
Special Offers Page
FatWallet.com’s “Best Deals” page has been a huge hit with their customers. This page is fast becoming one of the most popular on their site. Although Fat Wallet is a deals and discounts website, you can use this tactic too. Last week I wrote an article about how a “special offers” page can help you boost conversions. Take another look in case you missed it.
Free Shipping, Free Returns!
Overstockart.com recently implemented a free shipping, free returns policy. “Since the inception of this practice they haven’t noticed an increase in their return rates, but actually an increase in their sales. They like to say this way people can see if the painting “fits” in their home before feeling like they’re completely committed.” The increase in sales without an increase in returns is particularly interesting to note. I wrote an article on the free shipping, free returns model back in January. My article includes advice on alternatives to this model, although this model is ideal if you can manage to implement it.
Discounts by Email
Gary West Meats says that sending a newsletter each month to their mailing list subscribers has yielded a 63% boost in sales! They’ve found that Tuesdays and Fridays are especially great days for sending promotions and that customers responded best to promotions for gift items and discounts on the item of their choice. “Everyone likes something different so they can choose what they want to buy that way.”
Want to start an email marketing program or improve your existing one? Here are some articles on that topic.
Tried these tactics?
Discuss your experiences with offering deals and discounts in the comments below.
<< Read Part 1: Self-Promotion
<< Read Part 2: Twitter
Read Part 4: Expanding Your Line >>
Read Part 5: Success by Association >>
Read Part 6: Well-Timed Campaigns >>
Read Part 7: Stimulating the Senses >>
Read Part 8: Harnessing the Press >>
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I definitely think it’s key not to forget about the power of email marketing in this age of Twitter, Facebook, social media buzz. I personally use Mail Chimp’s service… I find their interface really easy to use, and it integrates with all of that social media, plus Google Analytics.
Comment by Mallory - Miss Malaprop — April 14, 2010 @ 11:01 am
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Pingback by Smaller Box :: Blog :: The Best Thing I Did For My Business Part 2: Twitter — April 19, 2010 @ 11:18 am
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Pingback by Smaller Box :: Blog :: The Best Thing I Did For My Business Part 2: Twitter — April 19, 2010 @ 11:18 am
[...] Read Part 1: Self-Promotion << Read Part 2: Twitter << Read Part 3: Giving Customers VIP Deals << Read Part 4: Expanding Your Line << Read Part 5: Success by Association << [...]
Pingback by Smaller Box :: Blog :: The Best Thing I Did For My Business Part 7: Stimulating the Senses — April 21, 2010 @ 8:07 am
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Pingback by Smaller Box :: Blog :: The Best Thing I Did For My Business Part 6: Well-Timed Campaigns — April 21, 2010 @ 8:09 am
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Pingback by Smaller Box :: Blog :: The Best Thing I Did For My Business Part 8: Harnessing the Press — April 22, 2010 @ 8:09 am
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Pingback by Smaller Box :: Blog :: The Best Thing I Did For My Business Part 5: Success by Association — April 22, 2010 @ 8:13 am