Publicising Voucher Codes

[Hertford Bob]

I'm trying to find a way of getting voucher codes into the hands of new potential customers, does anyone know any good forums for the purpose? High traffic and with sections on consumer electronics. Most of the major ones frown on anything that could be considered advertising even if it is of benefit to their readers...

Other ideas outside of forums would be helpful, we already use our own customer data for newsletters.

Also as we sell on Amazon, I feel there should be a way of connecting bloggers/affiliate marketers with these codes so that they can use them to promote their own affiliate links but can't seem to break the ice with them currently.

 

[thelegalstop]

Hi,

Thanks for posting it here, I can see you've got quite a range of channels covered, what's your newsletters opening rate?

Also, have you tried social media (Facebook/Twitter)? Have you got client base there that you could share it with?

Also, there are lots of groups and communities on Facebook that allow you to share vouchers, although you may be overwhelmed by other users doing the same thing - make sure your post stands out of the crowd.

Finally, you can find some bloggers that will write about it (and you can pay for publication, it's simple as that, search Fiverr for listings). However, if you want to secure some quality bloggers to write about you, you need to have a solid online base already established, as they will be putting their reputation on the line before their online fans.

I hope we can give you a couple of hints as well, if you give us answers to my questions.

 

[JElder]

Have a look at affiliate networks too. I've used Affiliate Window, and there are a lot of voucher code and deal specific sites that use it. Be aware, though, that it will eat into margins as the affiliate takes a cut, the affiliate program takes a cut and the voucher code reduces margin!

 

[Hertford Bob]

Hi Legalstop, sorry for the delayed response, we have very low response rate to our newsletters. Facebook and Twitter don't really have the client base at the moment to make any real impact.

I have now tried Blogger Linkup and Bloggers Required to source new bloggers for promoting the codes and creating product reviews, we got a huge response from Bloggers Required, over 100 different blogs to vet and send stuff too. I also have posted links on Money Supermarket, they have forums that seem to be dedicated to voucher codes, and each thread gets an OK number of views.

We don't really have the online presence to entice bloggers, but as we sell Bluetooth audio products and have headphones in Amazons top ten, we can show that we are a popular enough business to be worth working with.

JElder, this is something I've looked at but as you say, the margins are eaten up quite quickly through the discount codes and the Affiliate slice. I would like to use this to promote the Amazon listings as bloggers / affiliates then take their cut from Amazons percentage.

 

[thelegalstop]

Hi,

I don't think Twitter and Facebook are that bad, you should use it as well! All in all, it's some free or at least very cost-effective traffic you can get, and it's usually very high quality.

Newsletter are bad in terms of clickthroughs or openings? If you've got better than average openings rate, then you need to work on design, e.g. ensure the calls for action are clearly marked, the newsletters are nicely designed and you've got everything in the reach of thumb (for mobile device users). You could also consider some diversification in content, if your newsletters are sent out regularly (to vary the routine)

If the openings are your issue, you could consider changing the email title, adding some more information, something "catchy", and something not spammy.

As a rule of the thumb, imagine you were to get a message like this - I know it may sound obvious - you get lots of these in your mailbox, so ask yourself which ones you actually open and why.

This should help you!

 

[chaupt]

Hi Bob,

If you are happy to offer a commission then there are a number of affiliate networks like Affiliate Window or Rakuten Linkshare that should be exactly what you are looking for. You are able to control your promotions on these networks so that they are only offered to new customers (new via that network) if that is the strategy you want to follow.

You might also want to consider a promotion based on spending on or above a certain amount (higher than normal average spend for one of your customers and sufficient for the increased in profit to offset or partially offset the discount offered). This means you still have something to offer existing customers who might otherwise feel they are being punished for their loyalty.

If you are not looking to offer a commission but want potential customers to know about a discount that is available to them for free then try That Sale*. That Sale does not want money from you but a link back from your site to say you are using them.

If you are selling something physical (rather than a service), are discounting across a range of products and you are offering a reduction in price from what you have sold it at before (or an established RRP), then it might be worth looking at.

* This is a new website developed by my company. Postings on That Sale is free and always will be, the catch is that we are very new and do not yet have the large audience you are looking for, businesses like yours need to help build it so that we can offer exactly what you are looking for.

 

[JamiePMortimer]

we have very low response rate to our newsletters.

This would be an area of concern for me if I couldn't entice existing customers back with a discount. Email marketing for me offers the best conversion rate.

I assume the intention of the discounts is to ultimately get more sales, or is the priority to get new customers?