Everybody loves to save money, especially when times are lean, and many people choose to put off buying nonessential items or shop strictly on price. But you don’t have to be “the low-price leader” to benefit from frugal shoppers. A great opportunity to build customer loyalty, even in difficult times, is to offer discounts or special deals to your repeat customers.
If you send out regular newsletters (and if you don’t, why not?), your email list is one of your greatest assets. Let your subscribers know that they are special by offering “secret discounts” once or twice a year only to newsletter recipients. Your shopping cart software can be used to offer percent off coupons or special prices on a particular item or category of products. If you sell services, you can offer discount coupons through PayPal or your payment provider. We can help you set it up.
On your website, your newsletter signup form should include a teaser: “Want to be the first to hear about special deals and discounts? Sign up for our insiders’ newsletter and get advance notice of sales!”
Can you offer a small product or service at a specially-discounted price? Think of it as one bite-size taste of a product or service that might be seen as expensive enough to make a buyer pause. A bakery that normally sells cupcakes by the dozen or half-dozen might consider offering one especially luscious flavor at a discounted price. Coaches and service providers who charge by the hour could look at a half-hour session for an introductory price. Writers — put a short story on Kindle or the Apple bookstore at $0.99 to whet a reader’s appetite for your longer works. Even in frugal times, people feel the need to treat themselves, and if you give them a small way to do that, you’ve made sales you may not have gotten otherwise.
Make your customers feel special. They’ll love you for it… and your bottom line will show it!
Want to receive notice of new posts by email? Manage your subscription here.
ps - We don't believe in spam. That's why we'll never send you any.
