Which Coupons Work Best?

[PCX]

I am getting ready to have about 20,000 money mailers printed and mailed out. The whole point of money mailers though (other than advertising) is coupons. I personally hate the idea of coupons, so its pretty hard for me to think outside of this box. I need some suggestions.

Which coupons work well, without killing your profit?

Which coupons have been successful for you?

Even if you have never done coupons, what kind of coupon offers do you think would work?

I appreciate any input you guys have.

Thanks.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Instead of coupons, what I have done in the past, is offer a free virus check. Note not a virus removal. Using just one scanner program, usually HMP.

This brings clients in through the door, you have all details on your database for future reference, (email shots, newsletters etc). Also whilst the machine is on the bench, gives you chance to quickly go through things, to see how you could speed it up some, with either a tuneup, or memory upgrade.

I have done these during lean months, and it does bring in some extra income.

Just an idea

 

[anglian]

I am thinking of coupons as well, attached to flyers so that some people may keep hold of the flyer for a while.

My first thought was 25% of anti virus, which would mean giving it away at cost, but as Nige says, it gets ahold of the clients info for later use.

Also looking for other ideas.

 

[jimbojambo]

What about an idea that coffee shops use. Have a card and stamp it each time they come in for a job (lets say to get a stamp the job has to cost a min over £50 for example) they get stamp on their card. When they get 3 or 4 or 5 or whatever stamps then they get a free tuneup or cleanup or software update???

This means they are likely to keep the card with your contact details on and if they have future probs are likely to come to you as they get a stamp. Good for parents whose kids continually visit sites they shouldnt

 

[compnet]

What about an idea that coffee shops use. Have a card and stamp it each time they come in for a job (lets say to get a stamp the job has to cost a min over £50 for example) they get stamp on their card. When they get 3 or 4 or 5 or whatever stamps then they get a free tuneup or cleanup or software update???

This means they are likely to keep the card with your contact details on and if they have future probs are likely to come to you as they get a stamp. Good for parents whose kids continually visit sites they shouldnt

I don't think you want to put in your customer's mind they will be visiting your shop 4-5 times in a span short enough to keep a card for, even if its for different computers. Along those lines, I've thought about doing return discounts. But it seems if they like your service they will return, if not there's no amount of discounting that will get them to come back.

 

[jimbojambo]

My local garage does this. When they service my car and get a stamp i dont assume its going to break shortly just so i have to go back to get it re fixed and another stamp but its nice to know i can get something for free from them. Everyone likes to think they are getting something from you or something better in the deal.

It was simply an idea as thats what the op asked for

 

[Cornerstone Technologies]

I would have to agree with everyone else and move away from doing a coupon. What I have seen work here is giving away a service, like a tune up or something that can generate money. Coupons don't work in our industry because pricing can be pretty arbitrary and different across the board. That coupon basically has no value. For example, if you put on the advert Free Tune-up, then somewhere it should say something like $50 value so it has perceived value. Free Tuneups are great because chances are, most machines you could find a legit issue that needs addressed. Otherwise, you can still up sell something or gain goodwill that in the long run will garner more traffic.

 

[PCX]

I would have to agree with everyone else and move away from doing a coupon. What I have seen work here is giving away a service, like a tune up or something that can generate money. Coupons don't work in our industry because pricing can be pretty arbitrary and different across the board. That coupon basically has no value. For example, if you put on the advert Free Tune-up, then somewhere it should say something like $50 value so it has perceived value. Free Tuneups are great because chances are, most machines you could find a legit issue that needs addressed. Otherwise, you can still up sell something or gain goodwill that in the long run will garner more traffic.

So, what about a free tune up with any other paid service? Conditions apply of course.

As for the punch cards. I have thought about that before, but like compnet mentioned already, the problem is that the chances of someone punching that card enough in a year or less is unlikely. However, if I could maybe apply that idea with a referral program it might work. In other words, you get a punch for every service that you pay for or that a referral pays for. Obviously you would have to keep track of that on your ticket system.

Anyways, back on actual coupons. Like I said before, I hate the idea of them, but these money mailers require it and they are good advertising.

I appreciate everyones input. Thanks.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

So, what about a free tune up with any other paid service? Conditions apply of course.

I plan on including a tune up with virus removals and other higher dollar services. I plan to use D7 so that I can automate the tune up process as much as possible. Just make sure that you note on the customer's invoice that they are getting the tune up for free. Otherwise it may go unnoticed.

BTW How much does 20,000 money mailers cost to get sent out? Thanks.

 

[PCX]

I plan on including a tune up with virus removals and other higher dollar services. I plan to use D7 so that I can automate the tune up process as much as possible. Just make sure that you note on the customer's invoice that they are getting the tune up for free. Otherwise it will go unnoticed.

BTW How much does 20,000 money mailers cost to get sent out? Thanks.

For me, about $800. If I were in a bigger city, it would be cheaper due to more people using the service, thus making the printing cost cheaper.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

For me, about $800. If I were in a bigger city, it would be cheaper due to more people using the service, thus making the printing cost cheaper.

Gotcha. Hopefully the mailers will pay for themselves many times over. Is this the first time that you have done something like this?

 

[PCX]

Gotcha. Hopefully the mailers will pay for themselves many times over. Is this the first time that you have done something like this?

Mailers yes, advertising in general, no. The reason why I have not done this in the past is because I do not like the idea of coupons. That, and I figured that most people would throw them away. However, I have a friend that has a shop a couple hours away and he swears by it. Also, coupons is becoming a big thing as of lately, so I am hoping that it works out well.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

Mailers yes, advertising in general, no. The reason why I have not done this in the past is because I do not like the idea of coupons. That, and I figured that most people would throw them away. However, I have a friend that has a shop a couple hours away and he swears by it. Also, coupons is becoming a big thing as of lately, so I am hoping that it works out well.

Surely you will get some new customers out of the deal and some repeat business from existing customers. Everyone loves a coupon these days.

 

[rsarceno]

I am getting ready to have about 20,000 money mailers printed and mailed out.

I also started money mailer last Feb. First distribution is 20K, Second is March for 10K. Total 80K by November. I decided to skip every other month after march.

You do need a coupon so the receiver hopefully will keep the ad. I have 6 coupons.

1'st coupon: Virus Removal Flat rate $xxx. (Reg $xx per hr)
2'nd Coupon: Two computer tune up for the price of 1. Both tune up must be perform at the same time.
3'rd Coupon: Free backup online software installation with any service.
4'th coupon: Free Anti-virus protection software with Virus removal (residential only)
5'th coupon: 50% off for initial consultation with 2hr min.
6'th coupon: Free Security Evaluation with any service

Your giving free stuff but still making good profit. So far I got several inquiry but no actual payoff. Maybe it's too soon.

I'm only distributing to 3 location at 8 different distribution. My rep told me it's better than 8 location at 8 different distribution because people tend to remember the name and most likely will use your service. Not really sure if this logic works but there the expert and not me. Let me know how yours turn out.

 

[TenYardFight]

So no sales from your first 20k?

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

Your giving free stuff but still making good profit. So far I got several inquiry but no actual payoff. Maybe it's too soon.

i think you possibly need to look at your booking of appointments if getting inquiries for items clients already have prices on before calling but are not converted to sales during call.

 

[PCX]

Any more ideas? My deadline for coupons is tonight, so any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

 

[rsarceno]

i think you possibly need to look at your booking of appointments if getting inquiries for items clients already have prices on before calling but are not converted to sales during call.

I'm not the best sales person but I have a good rate of turning Internet calls, Thumbtack, and craigslist offer to sales.

Most callers wants just to confirmed my price after paying $299 to $449 for a virus removal. I guess timing also has something to do with it.

I think one of my draw backs is the coupon is set to expires in 2 months. It might be a bit too long. My next distribution is May. This will give me time to re-evaluate my ad campaign.

 

[PCX]

For those who were following this thread, these are the coupons I went with as well as the artwork.

http://thepcexchange.com/money mailer with watermark.png

 

[TenYardFight]

For those who were following this thread, these are the coupons I went with as well as the artwork.

http://thepcexchange.com/money mailer with watermark.png

It looks very nice bro! If it doesn't work, it won't be for a lack of compelling design! Keep us posted!