How to Drive Sales (with cute words & cut-off dates)
When you sell your food at a Farmers Market, you probably have some samples out for people to try. This allows potential buyers to taste and test your product before they buy. It is the ‘moment’ that they choose to buy. How can you achieve the same goal---a ‘moment’---when selling your food online? Promos!
Online promotions are a tool to encourage a purchase, often with a cut-off date or limited supply to create a fear of missing out (FOMO). The whole point of FOMO is to ensure that when as shopper is shopping, they are encouraged to complete the order in that same shopping window. If they forget or put it off - they might miss out.
Online Promos often help:
Drive Sales
Give a reason to complete a purchase
Help customers feel like they are getting something special (from you)
Create a sense of urgency
Online promotions are simple to use and easy to create. Before you create a promo / coupon, ask yourself these questions:
What is my ‘reason’ for a promo that I will share with my audience? (e.g. freezers are bursting, unexpected bounty, customer love for the holidays, reward early orders etc.)
Is there a particular product or products I want to move? Or do I want to make the promo store-wide?
How much cost can I absorb for this promo? Do I want to limit the # of promos?
Who is the target audience? One person, a group or all?
When is a good time to promote (make sure to include a cut-off date and share your promotion many times between now and when it expires)!
Knowing what you want to achieve in your promotion will allow you to start thinking strategically. Say you have two products that pair nicely together, consider bundling them up for a promotion. Promos should be compelling ($$$) and interesting (this item or bundle is new --- just for the start of the school year / holidays / July 4!).
Ideas for online promos:
Coupons for specific items, categories, individuals
Buy one, get one free!
Free samples with purchase
Bundles / combos
Free shipping or delivery
X% off next order
Holiday special!
Let yourself have fun with your promo because if you enjoy creating it, others will enjoy using it! Customers love the idea of themes, holiday specials, and final sales---it gives them a reason to shop!
Need help creating a website that enables you to utilize online promotions? Want a designer to create your promo posts / graphics? We’d welcome an opportunity to speak with you and show you how we've helped Farmers like you master promos online!
If you are a Barn2Door Member, ask your Account Manager to help you setup your next Promo. If you aren’t already part of Barn2Door, we’d welcome chatting with you (click here to schedule a call with a Barn2Door team member!)