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Do Special Offers And Discount Coupons Motivate You?

by Willie Crawford
16 replies
As a marketer, when I get an email or see a webpage that says
it a special offer just for me, or because I'm a member of some
select group, I'm skeptical.

I guess it's just the marketer in me... and our natural tendency
to analyze what's going on below the surface.

I often have people running affiliate programs ask me if I
want them to set up discount coupons or special offers just for
my audience... and I hesitate to say yes, because of the above
thinking.

I do realize that, in some niches, where people are less
skeptical, special offers work very well. In some of my niches,
list-members don't even seem to realize that when a message
contains their name, that I probably didn't write it personally...
especially if there is an unsubscribe link at the bottom.

So, I guess my basic question is "Do discount coupons and special
offers motivate you, or do you usually just consider them a
gimmick?"

I know that one answer it to test, but I want you gut reaction too.

Willie
#coupons #discount #motivate #offers #special
  • Profile picture of the author cato
    It really depends on how the special offer is written. If it sounds gimmicky I am instantly turned off and will delete it.

    I am not impressed with have my first name in an offer as I know that it isn't really personal to me alone and there are probably hundreds of others receiving the same offer.

    The offers that I am tired of receiving are the ones that say "My good friend" so and so has a new product that will change the world with one click. It instantly says affiliate offer to me and I tend to unsubscribe.

    Cato
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  • Profile picture of the author dmeirx
    i read on some articles writing names to mail is not a matter. but i think if you have a trust relation with your audiance why not make them with your name. Thats how brands goes...

    i think it is worth to try...

    Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chri5123
    Originally Posted by Willie Crawford View Post

    As a marketer, when I get an email or see a webpage that says
    it a special offer just for me, or because I'm a member of some
    select group, I'm skeptical.

    I guess it's just the marketer in me... and our natural tendency
    to analyze what's going on below the surface.

    I often have people running affiliate programs ask me if I
    want them to set up discount coupons or special offers just for
    my audience... and I hesitate to say yes, because of the above
    thinking.

    I do realize that, in some niches, where people are less
    skeptical, special offers work very well. In some of my niches,
    list-members don't even seem to realize that when a message
    contains their name, that I probably didn't write it personally...
    especially if there is an unsubscribe link at the bottom.

    So, I guess my basic question is "Do discount coupons and special
    offers motivate you, or do you usually just consider them a
    gimmick?"

    I know that one answer it to test, but I want you gut reaction too.

    Willie
    It is a tough one - I think it depends IF it is a SPECIAL offer.

    If it is JUST the price, a limited price etc... that normally will not motivate me to take action however if it is something else of value that really adds to the product that is only offered for a limited time that would hold my interest more.
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  • Profile picture of the author Thriftypreneur
    For me, it really depends on where the offer is coming from.

    Is it coming from the WSO section or similar? Then, no, I assume 100% of "special" offers are complete bs and not "special" at all. In fact, offers of this nature that use the "special, limited time offer" approach instantly put me on guard and immediately have to start working uphill to win my business.

    Is it coming from a legitimate company or organization? Like the GoDaddy discount domain promos and things of that nature, where the offer really is "special?" Then, yes, I'm much more likely to investigate the deal and I'm infinitely more likely to buy/subscribe.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by Willie Crawford View Post

      So, I guess my basic question is "Do discount coupons and special offers motivate you, or do you usually just consider them a gimmick?"

      Willie
      By themselves, discounts and special offers don't really motivate me. They might influence from whom I buy something I've already decided to buy, but no more than that.

      Couple a coupon or special offer with a good (to me) reason why you are making this offer, and things change. 'Because you're my subscriber and I want to help you' doesn't cut it. 'I'm running a sale to cover my daughter's wedding' might.
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  • Profile picture of the author Willie Crawford
    I'm seeing that a lot of you do think like I do.

    Thanks for the feedback

    Willie
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  • Profile picture of the author KenJ
    I have this rule which all my purchasing decisions have to pass. This is when I am offered a special deal.

    KenJ's Rule is "Would I be happy to buy at the full price quoted?"

    If it passes that rule then I might look at the discounted deal. Maybe I'm getting old. I don't buy much nowadays.

    KenJ
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  • Profile picture of the author Ajay Tiwari
    As per me it really depends who can avoid a special offer or a offer with discount if it is the offer what you want or really need. And that is what the reason behind so many searches happens of google on daily basis for discount (coupon code) offers. Special Offer and discount offer work very well if they are promoted to target audience or niche specific list only.

    And yes such offers motivate me if they are exactly what i need or i am looking for, which could help in my business and achieve my goal. If it's not related to my business or something for which i already have good alternative i would just ignore it.

    This is what i feel but others may feel other way as well ..
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    I'll usually check out a special offer or discount but it's probably more from a marketer's perspective than a buyer's. I'm always curios to see what might be working.
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    • Profile picture of the author gabriel86
      It depends on me. Sometimes you have to use your own judgement. You can't buy everything you see. Just pick the one that is best for you. There's alot of scam out there. Usually when I look at something I always go with my gut feeling. If I feel good, I'll buy it. If I feel bad I won't buy it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Coke
    It depends if the special offer is real. If I was looking at $97 product for awhile, then see it is on sale for $47 I'll snatch it. But if it is just some offer in an e-mail, I won't purchase.
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  • Profile picture of the author retsced
    Before I knew anything about Internet marketing, or marketing for that matter, I used to search for reviews on the first page of Google and believed the reviews were real.

    Not so much now though. (I now do proper research when looking for reviews)

    Same kind of thinking applies to special offers and discounts.

    It's not that I'm unmotivated by them, I've jut seen it used in such a misleading way too many times, that I'm more inclined to ignore them from marketers I don't know or trust.
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    • Profile picture of the author Leigha
      Those offers don't work on me with products in the internet marketing industry anymore. I bought all the shiny stuff years ago. That being said it special offers often work on me for other interests, hobbies, housewares, that sort of thing so I think I'd have to say that those offers are still effective on me outside of my professional life.

      Why, whatcha got? lol
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  • Profile picture of the author David Maschke
    Context matters.

    If it's a product that's been around for a while and it's a proven product, then a sale has pushed me over the edge into buying.

    But if it's brand new, not a chance. Too gimmicky.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
    I have and will in the future take advantage of discount coupons. But not for just any product.

    I have to already be thinking about buying the product. Then when I receive a discount coupon out of the blue for it, that usually move me from thinking about buying mode to buy mode.

    Re's
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    • Profile picture of the author IamBaksi
      It depends on how good the offer/sales copy is IMHO. If it's a really good offer with raving reviews and all, why wouldn't you want a discount off it? You mentioned that scepticism is the natural instinct of humans, I completely agree. However, do note that Curiousity and Greed are inherent in our species as well. These two traits alone can easily overcome natural scepticism (Obviously, you still need a good offer)

      Just my 2 Cents

      Caleb Prince
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