A compelling sales message that clearly lays out the value and benefits of your brand may be enough to entice well-qualified consumers to click the “Buy” button. For others, you may need to offer a little something extra to get them to reach for their digital wallets.
Providing incentives to your customers is a great way to tip the balance in your favor and convince them that right now is the best time to buy. Some common direct response incentives include:
- Coupons. Everyone likes to get a good deal. Offering digital percentage-off coupons for online and email campaigns work well because consumers don’t have to try to figure out the value of a free gift or other bonus. The savings off the regular price is right there in front of them. Digital coupons can be easily shared through social media and they may include tracking codes so you can analyze which of several offers was most successful.
- Free gift or sample. Everyone likes freebies. Giving something of value as a reward for a purchase is effective as long as your gift is appropriate for your audience. Offering a free sample of another item in your line is a good way to get customers interested in something other than what they are buying and may help to drive future sales.
- Loyalty program enrollment. Loyalty programs can offer extra perks, like free shipping, expedited service, or ongoing discounts. In addition to building loyalty to your brand, these programs are a great way to develop a qualified customer database for targeted marketing. Plus, they make your customer feel special because they are part of an exclusive group entitled to benefits not available to everyone else.
- Charitable donations. Find a relevant charity or cause that ties in to your product and pledge to donate a certain percentage of sales profits to that cause. This promotes your brand’s social responsibility and makes the customer feel he or she is also doing good when they buy your product.
