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Digital coupons have become extremely popular with both retailers and consumers. You don't need to carry around little pieces of paper with you to use them, and they can be scanned easily from your phone or tablet. Everyone loves the idea of getting more for their money, and digital coupons are an easy way for customers to save money, try new products and get excited about coming into your store. Are you using digital coupons effectively to increase your profits? Here are some tips to increase your success.

How to Use Digital Coupons

1. Target Coupons Efficiently

It is important to clearly understand who you are sending your coupons to. Metrics show that specific segments of the population use digital coupons to shop, and actually search for coupons before they shop. And they may not be who you think. For instance, people in households of $100,000 or more are twice as likely to use coupons that those who make less than $35,000. Digital coupons are used by both men and women and people ages 18 to 60 on a consistent basis. In fact, 65 percent of consumers say that their final decisions are based on coupons if they are undecided.

2. Distribute Coupons Effectively

Not all methods of coupon distribution are equally effective. In a study by Marketing Profs about digital coupon use, results showed that 57 percent of digital coupon users got their coupons via email. Other popular methods are searching for coupons on smartphones, texting short codes to a retailer and using a digital coupon app. Since 74.1 million American smartphone users are expected to use digital coupons in 2015, you can see how powerful this marketing method truly is.

3. Include Visual Appeal

The growth of sites such as Pinterest and Instagram make it patently clear that images may speak more than 1,000 words in the digital age. They are certainly capable of garnering attention from busy people, and capture the attention of a wide range of demographics. An effective coupon has eye-catching images and graphics in bold, bright colors.

4. Leverage Distribution Using a Partner

A good way to get the word out to a wider audience is by partnering with the manufacturer or distributor of your products. You can send out your coupons on your own network and they can magnify the effect by sending it out to their network. By partnering you expand your distribution exponentially for increased ROI.

5. Geo-Target Coupons

For brick-and-mortar stores or campaigns that feature regional products or services, geo-targeting is an excellent way to send out coupons. This method is one way to let customers know that you are local to them or that you carry local products that they are looking for.

6. Encourage Sharing

Your customers are bound to know other people who like the same things they do. Encourage them to share their coupons with friends, co-workers and family members that they think may be interested in using them. You can facilitate sharing by adding social media buttons on your coupon posts such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

7. Measure Your ROI

Your bottom line will decide which coupons are successful and which ones are not. Track and measure your success with each campaign to determine what worked and what didn't, and how you can refine your future marketing campaigns. When your coupons are effective, you can repeat the actions that produced the success.

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Effective Campaigns by Industry

Digital coupons work better in some industries than others, and not all campaign methods work for every demographic or industry. 53 percent of coupon searches are for grocery products, while other popular industries are personal care, dining, electronics, clothing and entertainment. However, even smaller percentages can offer a big return for many retailers. The bottom line is to test and measure to see which campaigns are effective for your company and customers.

Trumpia can help you determine how to use digital coupons the right way. Contact us or subscribe for more information.

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