Thank You Coupon Code a Success!

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone,

So I heard in one of the threads that using thank you coupon codes would be successful. I thought I would lose money this way, but it has turned out to be a great success after I started using it. A couple of weeks ago I had 5 orders, 2 of which were returning customers who used the coupon code I gave them for 40% off, and then another sale a couple of days ago that was also a return customer who used the code. This is the best tool ever, and I'm so happy Etsy has it!! Have any of you had success with thank you coupon codes? If not, what's your most successful tactic to getting return customers?

[ArtbySuzanneLaPierre]

Maybe I should try it again. I did try the thank you coupon code once and a couple of customers used it but I didn't feel like it made a big difference. I suppose I could always change it up a bit, perhaps offering free shipping instead of a % off or visa versa. Thanks for the reminder.

[Former_Member]

I have just been sending a hand written note with each purchase to let people know. Free shipping would be a good deal as well. I think you just have to be persistent with it!

[Former_Member]

I use the "thank you" coupons all the time but most of my return customers forget to use it!

[MoabBagCompany]

I use a 15% off thank you coupon, though I've only ever had one person redeem it. I always mention it in my shipping notification, but I'm getting the feeling that a lot of buyers don't read their Etsy convos, so I'm going to start including it in my handwritten note in packages as well. Glad it's working so well for you Kiana & Terri!

[Former_Member]

Yeah I have the feeling that the handwritten note is what's doing the trick! Plus a bigger percentage amount off.

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

40% off is a huge discount! I offer 10% off as a thank you but so far none of my repeat customers have used it.

[hipposdream]

I offer a 15% discount via the Etsy coupons but up till now nobody use it.
Maybe I should try to add a handwritten coupon code and see if that makes a difference.

[PALEOLOCHIC]

I send a repeat customer 10% discount coupon code in every order and so far I have had a few who used them. If I see that a repeat customer purchase something from my shop and didn't use the coupon code I refund the discount amount and let them know, they are very happy and I am sure they will remember me!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Are you absolutely sure it is good for your business to give a 40% discount?
Commercial success isn't about the amount of sales but the amount of profit you make.

[TheOrangeApp]

I think the amount of discount makes a difference in how likely buyers are to use the coupon.

In general, people are more excited about something that seems like a great deal. 10-15% doesn't really feel like it's tempting enough, whereas 40% off makes me want to buy now so I don't miss out!

I feel having at least 20-25% off in thank you coupons would increase their efficacy.

[Former_Member]

I couldn't stay in business if I handed out 40% off coupons out to all my customers. I'm here to make a profit, not to rack up sale numbers.

Offering a fabulous, well made, unique product with great customer service is enough.

[Former_Member]

True, and I will be lowering the discount soon, but I was just using a large discount off for now since I'm trying to get the shop off the ground at the moment. Once my shop is stocked up with a lot more items, like if I reach 100 listings at least, I will probably only offer a %20 discount to repeat customers.

[Former_Member]

I've offered 10% as a thank you as well as for social media campaigns but no one's ever used them. Even when I had the coupon code listed in my listings, they didn't enter them. No idea why.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Coupon codes simply aren't used very often.
People don't read anymore. Online shoppers don't read.
Especially the ones using their smartphones or tablets.
That is why websites nowadays are all about pictures... (think Etsy Browse).
(And the human race is developing backwards. But that's just my pet peeve.)

[WintergreenDesign]

40% off to returning customers is a huge discount... I personally couldn't afford to offer it (even 20% is a lot). If I were able to constantly be able to afford giving out such discounts it would probably mean I should just lower my prices in general.

I do have a very high percentage of returning customers and I think that is mostly due to having a unique product and and the best customer service I can possibly offer.

[SpangGangDesigns]

I'm glad it's working for you and you are happy with it. I have to agree with a few PPs, I would rather get sales in other ways, even if waiting a few days longer, than give my products away. Sometimes I get caught up in scoping out competitors'' sales numbers, but have to remind myself that it is about the net profit to me, not the quantity of sales.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Christa from WintergreenDesign says:
"...I do have a very high percentage of returning customers and I think that is mostly due to having a unique product and and the best customer service I can possibly offer."

Same here. I totally agree. THAT is the way to get and keep return customers!
To be honest, my most loyal buyers don't care about discounts. They want my products. Period.

[TheOrangeApp]

@ Nona - If you promote your coupon codes on social media you could make images with the codes on them - these are more likely to get noticed in over-crowded news streams.