Coupon codes and do they work

[Stitchcrafts]

I'm playing with the idea of creating a coupon for my shop to see if it can help with sales. Has anyone done a coupon code and had any success with it. Thought about giving 15% off purchases for the rest of the month.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Pam

[Former_Member]

I'm wondering too.

[Stitchcrafts]

Needleyou - At least you have had a little more success than I have. I would love to jump my sales to something each week instead of sporadic sales. Just not sure how to make that happen.

Anyone know?

[Former_Member]

I have tried the coupon code but no luck, really.
:(

[Former_Member]

Oh, and I'm with you, stitchcrafts. My sales are soooo sporadic. I don't understand...I know it takes time, but I've been open since Ocobter and only 12 sales. That's not enough for me to get by on.

[Former_Member]

I can't speak from experience, but I've heard that offering the codes when people expect sales can help, such as Black friday, Presidents Day and such. I haven't tried any yet.

[Stitchcrafts]

AmeliasPlace - That makes sense. Does Easter count?

WhiteBirchVintage - 12 sales and only since October of 2010 is pretty good to me. I really started working on my shop almost 2 years ago and just have 50 sales. I feel invisible sometimes.

[Former_Member]

I agree, 12 sales is very good since October. I was open a year without sales and closed then reopened and have two sales which is more than I had the first time. It's just difficult getting in this crowded field but I am working more on it this time.

[Former_Member]

Maybe a "Spring Fling" sale :) I don't know about Easter.
Make sure to advertise on Facebook, Twitter, and anyother place you typically advertise. You could also put SALE in your item title so people know when they are searching. Just a few thoughts, not that I really know what I'm talking about.

[Former_Member]

I did a thankyou coupon to my buyers and one of them used it to purchase another item!! I have only had 5 sales so I would say it works!!

[gracedesign]

I have tried coupon codes several times and it hasn't impacted my sales at all. I tried giving out coupons at Christmas time at various craft shows for discounts in Jan and Feb and didn't get any sales from it. I tried coupon codes on Facebook both before and after Christmas and had no sales from it. I was featured on a blog recently and offered a coupon code there which resulted in one sale. I think it is a matter of a certain number of people actually seeing it. If you are featured on a prominent blog and offer a discount to their readers then I think the likelihood of it driving sales are more likely.

[Stitchcrafts]

I guess I'll have to think on it some more. Maybe a spring sale would be ok. I have 81 items in my shop and am trying to get away from just the country primitive pieces I love to make.

Thanks everyone for your input. Why does it have to be so hard to do well at something you love to do?