Before you start building relationships with customers, you must first capture their attention. Transactional and promotional marketing will help you make those connections.
Simply put, transactional marketing puts the emphasis on increasing sales volume—you want to offer the best product at the best price and generate as many sales as possible. Promotional marketing puts the focus on rewarding customers for making a purchase with the hope that it will create repeat business. Customers receive a special benefit on top of their normal purchase, like a free item with the purchase of another item.
As you work to attract more customers and, in turn, make more sales, these four tips (and promotional giveaway ideas) will help you keep customers coming back for more.
Contests
Contests are an opportunity to show what makes your business unique.
For example, if you’re a pet groomer, a cutest dog contest provides the chance to show off your work. Ask the public to vote on pet photos people submit either on social media or in your shop.
Give everyone who enters the contest a discount on their next grooming and offer a free grooming session and a gift basket to the winner. Promotional giveaways, like a Pet Accessory Bag—complete with traveling dog dishes, an adorable Pet Bandana and a Toss and Float Dog Toy—makes the basket fun for dog and owner alike.
Punch cards and loyalty programs
Incentive and loyalty programs can be a strong draw for customers. In fact, 86% of shoppers have joined a loyalty program to collect points and earn rewards, and 70% are more likely to recommend a brand with a good loyalty program.
Keep track of customer sales via a computer database and use Plastic Membership Cards that shows them how close they are to their next reward.
For reaching a certain number of punches, offer customers a discount or a free gift. A percent-off coupon or a promotional swag bag, like the Elite Tote Bag or Grande Insulated Tote, is a smart choice. You can even create a bonus incentive by offering a small discount every time they bring the bag back in when they shop.
Samples
Free samples offer an incredible return on investment, with one study showing they increased sales by as much as 2,000%.
Samples are also a great way to:
- Introduce products to a new audience
- Strengthen relationships with existing customers
- Teach customers about your products
- Draw attention to your brand before an event
Combine free samples with promotional swag to demonstrate your services or remind people of who you are. For example, if your auto repair shop offers a free inspection, you can hand out Tire Gauge Keychains or Car Keychain Tire Tread Gauges.
Coupons
Eighty percent of consumers consider themselves loyal customers after three purchases. So giving them a reason to come back as soon as possible is always to your benefit. Handing out a coupon with each sale creates an incentive to come back soon.
Advertise multiple coupons on one Post Card to capture more attention. A reusable Wooden Nickel is a memorable spot for a discount or free product offer. Select different coins to change up your message. For instance, the Wooden Nickel – Website could be used to encourage customers to visit online for great deals. While the Plastic Nickel – Lucky could be placed in random shopping bags as an unexpected surprise discount.
Capture customer attention
People love a good a deal. With the help of transactional and promotional marketing and these promotional giveaway ideas, you can get more customers introduced to—and coming back to—your business.