5 Tips for Creating a Great Offer
An important goal of any business should be to create offers that potential customers can’t refuse. Even if your business has the greatest products, services or experiences on the market, it won’t matter if you aren’t driving traffic through the door. Offers are great incentives to attract customers and introduce them to your business.
Quality offers are at the heart of the GetintheLoop platform. We spend a lot of time working with our business partners to craft compelling offers that will engage local consumers. Here are five tips for creating a great offer, including some examples of effective GetintheLoop offers on the platform.
TIP #1 - DRAW CUSTOMERS IN WITH A CATCHY IMAGE AND HEADLINE
In today’s society, people love to scroll rapidly through social channels until something catches their eyes. You want to choose an image and headline that will make users stop in their tracks and examine your offer in more detail.
Your image needs to showcase the brand/product/experience being offered and look professional. With today's generation of smartphones, you can easily snap a picture that showcases your business. Be creative and people will respond.
The header is equally important. You have only a few words to convince someone to click through and learn more. The offer title should be front-loaded; express exactly what the offer is to engage with consumers.
TIP #2 - SELL THE CUSTOMER ON THE OFFER THROUGH ITS DESCRIPTION
In case you haven’t completely sold a customer on your offer through the image and header, the description is a great place to close the deal. Create vivid descriptions that allow someone to image redeeming the offer themselves. Include unique and compelling details that would make them want to go to you and not your competition.
If the offer is non-exclusive or an experience, it will be important to include a base or starting price point for the offer. This way, members don’t see the offer as an advertisement and are compelled to take action.
TIP #3 - ENSURE THE TERMS OF THE OFFER ARE CRYSTAL CLEAR
While you want to sell a customer on your offer, the last thing you want to do is mislead them. Don’t make potential customers guess or assume anything about the offer. Let customers know if the offer is a discount or sale, an experience, or an upcoming event, as well as whether the offer is exclusive, non-exclusive, or limited use.
To help set expectations, make sure to include any information regarding steps to redeem, the days/hours the offer is relevant and if there are a limited quantity of redemptions for this offer. The member will be ready to abide by the offer and won’t be surprised when they redeem.
TIP #4 - MAKE THE REDEMPTION PROCESS A SMOOTH ONECreate a seamless transition from potential customer to a customer by having a clear redemption process.
- Online - If your business has an online landing page to redeem the offer, select the appropriate label to drive the customer there: Order Online, Book Online, Buy Online, Learn More.
- By Phone - For offers that require customers to call, whether they’re making a reservation or booking an appointment, ensure that customers are aware of this through your label: Call to Book, Call to Order, Call for Info.
- In-Person - If your offer can only be redeemed in person, then you won’t need to direct customers to a landing page or phone number. You’ll want to select a label like Redeem or Use Now so people won’t click on it until they’re in the store.
TIP #5 - MAKE YOUR OFFER SEASONALLY RELEVANT
Great offers are always in season. The needs and desires of consumers change each season and crafting your promotions appropriately is a great way to generate new business.
One example is auto dealers promoting offers on winter tire swaps as the season approaches. When beach season rolls around, clothing store will look to attract customers with deals on swimwear.
You can tie your promotions into major holidays like Valentine’s Day, annual events like the start of a new school year or even non-official celebration days like National Chocolate Day.
