ChicExecs Senior VP of PR and Digital Marketing Kristen Wessel share her tips on the power of promo codes on Forbes blog. The following is an excerpt from the article.
2020 has been a banner year for businesses, and the pandemic taught us that digital-first selling is here to stay. Instead of hosting events or investing in outbound public relations (PR) strategies, businesses have to meet customers where they are online.
The problem? Your customers want to shop online, but they might need more reassurance that you’re legit and that they’re getting a good deal. I’ve found that the best way to encourage jumpy online shoppers to purchase is with promotional codes.
If your business is trying to sell more products during the 2020 holiday season, make sure promo codes are an essential part of your PR strategy. Not sure how to use promo codes in PR? These three steps will get you the most bang for your buck.
1. Get the most mileage out of your promo codes.
Promo codes are great, but you need to design them thoughtfully to encourage more purchases. That means:
• Limiting your promo codes. Limit customers’ access to promo codes to convey exclusivity. You can also create limited-time promo codes to prompt a sense of urgency, like a 24-hour sale. It sounds counterintuitive, but limits can actually increase your sales, so stop making all your promo codes so accessible.
• Offering a generous promotion. A 5% discount isn’t going to excite shoppers unless you’re selling a $1,000 product. Give a generous enough discount that will get your shoppers excited to tap “check out.”
It’s much easier to do PR with a strong promo code, so get your program squared away to make more sales and amplify your reach.
2. Work with influencers.
What influencers post has the ability to affect shoppers’ buying decisions. So, consider partnering up with authentic, experienced influencers to share your promo codes with new audiences.
3. Pitch to deal editors.
Quite a few online news outlets work with deal editors who generate affiliate income for the news site. If you’re trying to get your promo code off the ground, especially around the holidays, reach out specifically to deal editors.
Read Kristen’s entire blog here.
