Coupons: A Marketing Strategy that Works

Are you looking for a marketing strategy that works in the current economy?  Try the tried and true coupon.

Coupon use is up 27% according to the nation's leading coupon processor, Inmar. Last year was the first year in the last 17 during which coupon redemption increased. Part of the increase may result from marketers' increased use of coupons as a promotional vehicle to drive sales during the downturn.

Market more during a downturn, not less.

According to Inmar's Matthew Tilley, “Brands saw coupons as a key to maintaining brand strength. If they reduced their promotional presence, they stood to lose sales to lower priced competitors and store brands – so they doubled down hoping to create brand loyalty once the economic dust settles.”

In short, market more during a downturn, not less. When customers are harder to find, increase efforts to market to new and existing customers. Coupons are an effective tactic, because people are looking for value and savings, and marketers are looking for results.

Digital Coupon Use Increasing
Not surprisingly, given their lower costs, digital coupons usage is up dramatically. Coupons, Inc reports an increase of 170% in the printed value of coupons.

What does the digital coupon redeemer look like? Here are a couple of characteristics:

• Higher income ($97,000 household income, which is 23% higher than average)
• Better educated (34% have a college degree, compared to 27% of the general population)

When was the last time you advertised, mailed, or emailed a coupon? The download shown below, courtesy of the Service Roundtable, presents a simple template you can use to design your own coupon.

Link to Document

Matt Michel is the CEO of the Service Roundtable, and a longtime member of the ContractingBusiness.com editorial advisory board.
He can be reached at MattMichel@ServiceRoundtable.com.
Read his blog at ComancheMarketing.com.