We love a good deal. There’s something awesome about getting that thing you desperately need or desire for a few bucks off. Special deals helps us feel like we’re in the loop, and somehow ahead of the rest of the pack. They also help us feel rewarded for being loyal customers. But from your perspective, deals can be risky business. Social media is a great way to promote savings, but are you using the intersection between deals and social media to the best of your advantage?
Don’t be a Coupon Machine
It’s tempting to use social media as the primary way to advertise coupons, sales and deals. The danger here lies in becoming a coupon catalogue. Don’t let special offers take over in such way that all your other content falls by the wayside. You need time and space to develop other aspects of your brand, so don’t let the coupon clutter build too much.
Do Reward Loyal Followers
If you’re trying to engage with your most loyal customers, deals and savings are a great way to reward their excitement and passion for your product. You can generate excitement online with competitions, teasing special deals along the way. It’s also not a bad way to repair damage from bad customer experiences.
Don’t Use it as Your Only Strategy For Growth
As this study from Rhythm Insights shows, most social media users (close to 60%) follow brands to show their loyalty or support. Creating original content that shows off who you are as a brand is much more vital to a sound social media strategy, so make sure that those efforts take priority over publicizing deals.
Do Make Stipulations
For any deal you’re offering, always make stipulations. Plan ahead and set deadlines for deals to expire. Brainstorm with staff members to make sure there aren’t any gaping loopholes in your plan that would allow someone to run off with more than you can afford to give away. Make sure you communicate all the fine print to your followers before they take you up on any special deals. You can avoid awkward confrontations and negative customer experiences that way.
With the knowledge that gaining and retaining followers doesn’t rely solely on the discounts you offer, you can relax a little and refocus your energies elsewhere. Be as specific as you can with what you’re offering, so that your next coupon or sales discount isn’t a deal breaker for your most valued customers. Finally, have fun! Create contests, roll out deals with teases that build excitement and document people enjoying your special offers so that you have a reminder of what makes it all worth it.
