Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Coupons Make a Comeback

Great article here decitica.com/ talks about the changes in consumer behavior due to the recession.

The increased use of coupons is what spurred BusinessCardContacts to begin offering coupons through our site.

I hope you read the article Decita Marketing Strategy and Research and then visit our downloadable coupon section for great savings.

June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising & Public Relations
BusinessCardContacts.com
Visit me on Twitter - BBGGadv

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posted by June Bisel at 9:28 AM 1 Comments

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Simplest Things Bring Opportunity

I try, in my blogs, to give businesses ideas and information they can use in promoting their product/service in order to successfully navigate through the current economic times. And I truly believe that with insight and innovative thinking, the best of us will come out of this stronger than we went in.

If you're a regular reader of my blogs, or if you keep track of the industries who are benefiting from this recession, you already know that the fast food restaurants are doing well. One reason, of course, is that they offer value. The other reason is that they continue to use innovative thinking and smart strategies to secure as much of their market as possible. And, they don't miss out on ANY opportunities to market themselves.

Taco Del Mar, Cinnabon, MaggieMoo, Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, TGI Friday and Papa John's are some examples of fast food restaurants who capitalized on tax day. Free tacos with coupons generated via online registration; free Classic Bites, again with online registration; buy one get one free promotions; "tax relief dinner certificates"; McCafe customized postage stamps ... these are just some of the innovative promotions that were in place yesterday as so many Americans scrambled to get their taxes done in time. And when you think about it, who has time to cook dinner? Fast food is the perfect combo with Tax Day.

I'm wondering how many local businesses thought to capitalize on this. I know my local pizzeria didn't, because I was there. But perhaps next year they will.

If your company ran a special promotion for Tax Day, please share it with us. And, don't forget... Earth Day is coming up, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July... it just never ends. Be creative, have fun! Think about your customer and what you can offer them that will make their life easier, more fulfilling, a little happier... and, don't forget, coupons are very big right now. People just love them. And if you can collect information for your database while offering your customers a discount, then all the better!

June Bisel
Partner, BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
BusinessCardContacts.com
smartstrategies@bbggadv.com

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posted by June Bisel at 10:23 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

More thoughts on coupons

While social media is currently attracting the most industry attention, it is not the only way for businesses to target younger people online. And, it still has not proven itself to be a profitable means for advertisers to target and engage consumers. A new study from Information Resources, Inc shows that online coupon offers are still a very effective means of prompting young consumers to make purchases.

Half of 18 to 24 year olds reported that they would be very likely to use online coupons. Older age groups reported only up to 40 percent that would take advantage of online coupon offers. Newspaper coupons were reportedly dominant than their internet counterparts among all age demographics, the biggest margin being in demographics of 25 and over.

I still want to caution you on the consequences that moderate to heavy reliance on coupons can have on consumer perception of your company. Your product offerings must bring value to younger consumers in order for your online coupons to bring lasting profitability to your business. (Read the downfalls of frequent coupon usage in my March 12 post, http://www.businesscardcontacts.com/2009/03/other-side-of-coin.html).

Use coupons sparingly. Only with the proper implementation can internet coupons boost your sales to younger audiences and bring long term benefits to your business.

June Bisel
Partner, BBGG Advertising and Public Relations
BusinessCardContacts.com

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posted by June Bisel at 1:24 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Other Side of the Coin

Yesterday we talked a bit about the value of coupons during tough economic times. Today, I thought we should discuss the long-term dangers.
While two-for-ones, discounts, and enticing coupons may keep your customers buying your products or walking through your doors, let's think about the buying habits you are creating and the damage you may be doing for the long-term equity of your brand.
Once consumers get accustomed to using coupons, two things happen: 1) they start thinking that in all reality, your product/service was overpriced to begin with, and 2) it may be very difficult for you to restore a full-price mentality to your shopper's buying habits once the economy recovers.
So, what is the best way to proceed? Perhaps it is all in the way you present the discount offering. Show your customer that you are offering the discount because we're all in this together. For many local businesses, you will actually be taking on some financial burden yourself in order to make this offer to them. 
Why will you do this? Well, when it comes right down to it, it's because you want to stay in business. But let's remember why you started this business in the first place. It's most likely because you knew you had a product or service that would be of value to your customers. And, if you've stayed true to your vision and to your commitment to your customers, then it most likely is of value.
Whatever marketing route you decide to take, be true to your customers. Be honest. Offer them value. Put them first. And let them know how much you appreciate them. Maybe it's with coupons - maybe it's not.
June Bisel
Partner, BBG&G Advertising & PR
BusinessCardContacts.com

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posted by June Bisel at 10:02 AM 1 Comments

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Coupon Value Increases As Dollar Decreases

Although it is not a marketing tactic we often recommend at BBG&G, there's no denying that coupons can successfully increase business during tough economic times. Considered 'responsive tactics', coupons are designed to trigger consumers to choose your brand. Coupons and similar cost-saving promotions are also a way to let your customers know that you care about saving them money - and consumers are responding well. 

A customer who walks into a store with a coupon has the full intention of purchasing at least one item. Once they're there, it is up to you to entice them to make multiple purchases. This can be done through strategically displaying your merchandise, through in-store point-of-purchase displays, through excellent customer service, and by simply knowing what is important to your customers -- what do they want? what do they need?  

Dining out is often one of the first luxuries to be cut from the budget when people's pockets are hurting. Ruby Tuesday's, the national restaurant chain, experienced a drop in sales in fiscal 2008.  Using newspaper inserts with coupons, coupled with television commercials and in-store promotions, they are successfully attracting diners to their "two for one" promotions and other cost-saving specials. It's still too early to say for sure, but it seems to be working.

Your small business may not be able to afford full-page newspaper inserts, but there are plenty of local newspapers that offer very affordable advertising rates for small businesses. And, this is a perfect opportunity to integrate the internet into your marketing plan, if you're not already doing so. If you have a company web site, you can offer downloadable printable coupons there. If you don't, or if you want something a bit easier to manage, BusinessCardContacts.com provides paid members a platform to upload coupons and other marketing material for a low annual rate -- and you don't have to be a programmer to use it.

If you're a consumer, and looking for national brand coupons, check out  

Do you know of any other web sites where businesses can upload coupons, and consumers can download? I know there are a lot out there. What's your favorite?

June Bisel
Partner, BBG&G Advertising & PR
BusinessCardContacts.com

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posted by June Bisel at 12:36 PM 0 Comments