It’s every business owner’s worst nightmare: not attracting enough customers.

That’s why your business needs to get creative with marketing techniques. If not, this bad dream will come true.

It might seem overwhelming to get started, but it’s easier than you think. You have many different strategies in your arsenal. This article will show you how to use them. 

If you want to raise your conversion rate right away, you need to entice customers to buy from you ASAP.

• Running a sales promotion on your website is an effective way to do so.
• Sales promotions can help you increase conversions, brand awareness, and customer satisfaction.
• They’re some of the most effective strategies to boost sales without spending any money. 

If you want excited customers and more conversions, check out these promotion ideas.

These 18 sales promotion copywriting strategies show the most effective ways to get your customers to click the “add to cart” button today.

 

Why Sales Promotions Work

Before jumping in headfirst, you should understand why these strategies are so effective.

It may seem counterintuitive — after all, you’re selling your products or services at a lower price. That’s true but think of sales promotions as an inexpensive promotional tool. 

Promoting your goods at a discounted price makes your offer more attractive. Your prices will be lower than your competitors’, which will make customers flock to you. They’ll feel like your business provides a better deal. It’ll also encourage more people to take advantage of your sale since they don’t know when prices will fall again.

With more customers, you can expect to make back the initial loss and gain even more profit.

Sales promotions are also powerful because they can create a sense of urgency. In other words, they trigger our fear of missing out or FOMO.

Many customers tend to waver between buying different options. Temporary sales promotions will help nudge customers to buy right away. Otherwise, they’ll miss out on a good deal, which will make them feel upset.

Think about the last time you missed a deal on something you wanted. How did you feel? Like you missed a huge opportunity? Like you lost out on something? Like a chump? 

These are feelings humans want to avoid. That’s why people will make the quick jump to buy something during a sales promotion. 

Now you see why they’re so effective. Let’s get into it to boost your sales and increase your brand awareness. 

Here are customer-repellent mistakes that you should avoid in your copywriting.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #1: Free Samples And Trials

Who doesn’t love getting something for free? Whether it’s food or an app, free stuff can get customers excited to try your product or service.

Let’s examine how this works in real life. Imagine your business sells banana smoothies. If you offer free samples for customers, they’re more likely to try it.

For one thing, it’s low risk. Prospects can taste your product to see if they like it without buying the whole package. Plus, by offering free samples, you’re making it known to the customer. Otherwise, they might’ve passed by without knowing it exists.

Free samples and trials help people see if they like what you’re offering before buying.

Offering free samples is excellent publicity as well. If people gather around your free sample area, more customers will stop by and try it for themselves. 

Think about the free sample stalls at Costco or Trader Joe’s. If you see people crowding around, sampling, and buying the product, you’d be more convinced to buy it.

The same principle applies to your business. That’s why free samples and trials are so effective.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #2: Buy One, Get One Free Deals

Everyone loves a good deal, but do you know why?

Think about it.

When was the last time you bought something expensive for less than its original price? How about when you got more of something for the same price. How did you feel?

Proud? Relieved? Smug? I’m sure you felt like you won.

You see, people feel positive emotions when they feel like they’ve snagged a good deal. That’s why a sales promotion strategy like a buy one get one free deal is so effective. It makes customers feel like they’re getting more for less. 

Here’s another benefit of the “buy one, get one free” deal: customers will feel tempted to buy more, too. With the initial money they saved from that deal, they’ll feel like they can use that money on other purchases. You can see how effective this tactic is since many customers often overspend because of it. 

With this sales promotion, get your audience to think, “Might as well buy more since prices are so low now.” You’ll likely see a boost in sales right away.

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #3: Lifestyle Promotions

A lifestyle discount isn’t only an effective sales promotional strategy. It also strengthens relationships between your brand and your customer base.

Lifestyle promotions include discounts for students, seniors, teachers, veterans, and parents. They require customers to provide proof such as ID, documents, or forms at checkout.

Think about the back-to-school discounts held every late summer to early fall. Stores offer “back-to-school” sales on goods such as clothes, backpacks, and office supplies.

These sales are great at attracting its target demographics: teachers, students, and parents. We’ve all seen what the school supply section at Target looks like by mid-September. It’s like a ghost town. That’s because customers want to take advantage of this sales period before supplies run out. 

You can bet that Target and other similar stores see huge spikes in sales around this time each year.

If you offer these consistent and predictable sales, your customers will rely on you. They’ll feel like you understand their priorities and will offer the best discounts.

It’ll even help them develop brand loyalty. That way, whenever the promotional season rolls around, they’ll choose to buy from you.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #4: Flash Sales

Flash sales are a spontaneous way to get your customers to buy something from your store right away.

For example, if you offer a 15% discount with a code at checkout today only, it’ll make customers feel a sense of urgency. They’ll feel prompted to move and take up this offer now.

It’ll also encourage customers who are on the fence about buying something. People often succumb to decision fatigue. While choosing what to buy, sometimes customers end up not getting anything. A flash sale is a great way to push people to take that final step.

To encourage customers to act immediately, promote a sudden sale. The shorter the time window for the discount, the more hurried customers you’ll get to buy your goods.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #5: Vouchers And Coupons

To get more people to buy from your brand, make them feel like it’s also an opportunity to save money. 

This is where vouchers and coupons come in handy.

You know that smug feeling you get when you come across a good deal that others haven’t? Try getting your customers to feel the same way.

Offer coupons or vouchers through your email newsletter, website, or catalogs. 

Make them smirk to themselves as they apply the discount code at checkout. In other words, make them feel like they’ve won while others have lost.

Saving money on a purchase is a strong motivator for consumers to buy.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #6: Loyalty Promotions

Sales promotions aren’t only used to bring in new customers. You can also boost customer satisfaction by rewarding their loyalty.

If you provide customers with loyalty points or special offers, you’re more likely to retain them.

Repeat customers tend to drive the bulk of your sales more than one-time customers.

New, one-time customers cost your brand a lot of money to attract and retain. With repeat customers, there’s less you have to manage. They already have an affinity for your brand. You can be more confident they’ll keep buying from you.

That’s why it’s important to keep loyal customers happy. Try offering them exclusive deals not everyone can access.

You could offer limited-edition products, unreleased products, or executive-level discounts.

Regardless of what you try, make your long-term customers feel important.

Here's how you can spark buying behavior in your target market.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #7: Free Shipping And Returns

Free shipping and returns are also excellent for enticing your audience to buy from you.

Shipping and dealing with returns can cost customers time and money. These things can also cause a general hassle regardless of wasted time and money. 

If people feel like your brand eliminates that inconvenience, they’ll be more likely to buy from you.

That’s one reason why people prefer to buy from Amazon: they have a free and easy shipping and return policy. You can return something within 30 days of purchase. All you have to do is pack it back up in the same box and scan a QR code. It’s quick, simple, and efficient. 

That doesn’t mean you have to bear all the costs yourself. 

Because customers are saving money, you could charge a higher price to balance the costs.

Free shipping and returns give incentives for customers to buy from you.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #8: Joint Promotions

Featuring joint promotions is a great strategy to increase brand awareness.

Joint promotions are when companies team up to promote their product or service as a package.

For example, Spotify and Hulu used to offer a joint promotion. If you signed up for Spotify Premium for $9.99 a month, you would also get a Hulu subscription for free.

This bundle encouraged more users to sign up for the music and video streaming sites.

It’s a win-win situation for both you and your partner company.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #9: Social Media Contests And Giveaways

If you want to drum up immediate excitement, hold social media contests and giveaways.

Let’s say you sell a popular banana-flavored probiotic drink targeted toward children. On your social media accounts, you could promote a contest for amateur filmmakers.

For example, the person who submits the best commercial for your product can win a year’s worth of your drinks. 

It’s a fun idea, and it’ll motivate customers to engage with your business. 

Plus, you can use it as free publicity for your brand as well. 

The more interactive your brand seems, the better your reputation will be.

Contests and giveaways can help you create stronger relationships with your audience. 

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #10: Referral Discounts

Word of mouth is a powerful influence.

You’re more likely to buy something if your friend refers it to you.

Who wouldn’t want to help their friends have positive experiences?

Referral discounts can help your business capitalize on this simple human interaction.

An incentive will make customers more likely to refer friends and family to you. For example, you could offer 10% off their next purchase or $10 in-store credit.  

It also means free advertising for you. Past customers will explain how your products or services have benefited their lives. 

Referrals from loved ones are more convincing than anything you could say. So take advantage of this opportunity when you can.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #11: Bundles

Selling products in a bundle is another excellent way to entice customers to buy.

As you know, people love feeling like they’re getting more out of a good deal.

When you create bundles, group similar products together.

For example, a grocery store selling junk food in a bundle isn’t going to sneak a banana in there. That’ll look awkward and out of place to the customer.

Instead, their bundle will include chips, cookies, and sugary drinks. 

Make sure your bundles contain items related to each other. This can range from a makeup kit with brushes to a new phone with an external battery pack.

Bundles will make your customers believe they’re getting a good deal. 

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #12: Website Discount Codes

Online shopping is replacing brick-and-mortar stores. If that’s how customers prefer to shop now, how can you encourage them to buy something on your website?

Instead of handing out coupons when people enter the store, offer discount codes.

Buying something at a lower price than marked makes customers feel like they’ve won. They’re more likely to buy something from you if they think they’re getting it for a steal.

Try to make customers feel that way when they land on your website. Your conversion rate could skyrocket.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #13: New Customer Discount

A “new customer” discount (also called the “first purchase” discount). It’s rewarding first-time buyers for becoming customers at your store.

Offering these types of discounts is an excellent way of showing goodwill. It’ll encourage new customers to buy your product or service.

We tend to be wary of trying new things. Providing a discount for first-timers is a helpful way to reduce their sense of risk.

If they see that they can get a good discount now, they’ll be more likely to try it out. 

Rewarding long-time customers is essential. The thing is, rewarding new customers will also retain them.

That could lead to more sales for your business in the long run. 

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #14: Email Sign-Up Discounts

Getting people to sign up for your email list can be tricky, but it’s easier if you offer a reward when they do.

Email sign-up discounts will encourage customers to join your list and buy something.

They’ll be more likely to stay on your business’ website and see what they can buy. 

The longer they’re on your website, the higher chance they’ll click the “add to cart” button.

If they stay on your email list, you can also keep promoting your products or services to them. This can help you keep them as loyal customers.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #15: Compelling CTAs

Compelling CTAs are all about getting your customer excited about your offer.

They hint at the benefits customers will get when they buy your products or services.

For example, imagine you’re offering a sale in your newsletter. If your CTA read “click here to learn more,” what do you think your customer would feel? They’d most likely feel unexcited, uninspired, and click out of your email.

Now imagine the CTA reads like this “click here to grab a delicious treat for half-off!” That’s more compelling. 

The customer can imagine enjoying the treat, as well as the reward of getting it half-off.

With this, you want to compel your audience to act. To communicate something that they want to do.

This article will help you write stronger CTAs that convert.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #16: Countdown Timer

Using a countdown timer on your website can create a sense of urgency in your customer.

If you show them exactly how little time they have left to score the deal, they’ll act quicker.

This will help you bypass the logical part of the brain that scrutinizes purchases.

A countdown timer will help you close more sales faster.

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #17: Contrasting Colors

Use contrasting colors on your website to direct your audience’s attention.

For example, if you want to highlight a product on your website, outline it in a different color.

If you want customers to click “add to cart,” make the button stand out.

This may seem obvious and trivial, but you might find it surprising how many businesses get it wrong.

If customers stare at a cluttered website that doesn’t guide them anywhere, they’re more likely to click out.

The point of using contrasting colors is to nudge your audience toward the choices you want them to make.

In this case, it’s purchasing your goods online.

Make sure it’s easy for customers to do so.

 

Effective Sales Promotion Copywriting Strategy To Win Over More New Customers (And Drive Higher Conversion Rates) #18: Full-Screen Pop-Up

Incorporating a fullscreen pop-up of a discount is a surefire way to draw attention.

Plus, they’re more likely to use the discount you offer, too.

Make sure the button to x out of the pop-up isn’t too hard to find, though. You want customers to read your promotion, but you don’t want to make them feel trapped. 

You’re not forcing your customer to apply the code at checkout, but you’re making the option easier for them.

Once someone applies the code and sees that they have a discount, chances are they’ll buy something.

Showing a full-screen pop-up is excellent for encouraging site visitors to opt-in to it.

 

Grow Your Audience And Business With Sales Promotions

Now that you’ve read over these 18 strategies for effective sales promotions, you’re ready to apply them.

You don’t have to apply every single tactic from the list above in your sales promotions. Instead, find the strategies that fit best with your brand. 

While these strategies may be a helpful starting point for you, no strategy will work every single time. It’s a good idea to experiment and track which ones work best for you.

Every customer base is different, so don’t forget to account for that. For example, what would your audience want to see? What would annoy them and turn them away from your business?

The more info you gather from promotions, the better you’ll understand what people want. This means you’ll know more about what your business needs to do to get people to buy.

 

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