Archive for September, 2010

It may come as a surprise but according to the 2010 Digital Consumer Portrait done by Insight Express, males ages 25-34 are using their phones the most to shop and look for deals.

Not only are males using their phones more to shop, they over-index in coupon usage in the following types of stores:

Electronics store – 30 percent (general population 10 percent)

Clothing store – 33 percent (general pop. 15 percent)

Department store – 30 percent (general pop. 15 percent)

Service location – 16 percent (general pop. 7 percent)

The study also said that men prefer to find coupons themselves via an application: 51% of men vs. 28% of the general population.

What does this mean for your business? Smartphone technology makes shopping even easier by putting information at your fingertips. Not only do 53% of men own smartphones, they are using them to make their shopping easier and faster by downloading applications and browsing for reviews. With mobile shopping still rapidly developing, we expect to see the segment grow along with it.

What entices a consumer to redeem your coupon? A good money saving incentive is certainly a huge part of the equation, but often it isn’t enough. At DartzDeals we have the expertise to help your business exceed expectations with a coupon campaign.

Here’s a list of some Dos and Don’ts when creating and posting your coupons. Want to learn more? Contact us (866) 358-3325.

Dos

1.Expiration Date: Be upfront and clear about how long the offer is good for. We suggest a coupon be good for at least one month, but ideally three months to give people plenty of time to find and redeem coupons.

2. Clear and Concise: No need for paragraphs. People like their information quick and easy to understand. Your company name and logo, contact information, a quick description, any “fine print” (see the don’ts for this), and of course, the offer are all musts to put on your coupon. DartzDeals will advise you on the best way to display your coupons to appeal to consumers.

3. Promote: Take advantage of social media, email lists and paid advertising to promote your coupon. This will increase traffic and make your efforts worthwhile.

4. Research: Many companies overlook the importance of tracking their coupons beyond how many people redeem the coupon. Who are the people using the coupon? Where do they live? How do they use the coupon? Coupons are a great way to find untapped markets and new ways to enrich your business.

Don’ts

1. Tons of Fine Print: You want your customers to be able to use your coupon most of the time. If consumers feel that they cannot use your coupon or, worse, they try to use it and are not successful the efforts of your coupon may backfire.

2. Use Lots of Colors: Simple is best. Using lots of colors distracts the consumer from your coupon’s content and they may skip over it entirely. Stick to two or three colors that are consistent with your logo.

3. Skip the Math: Do the math to make sure your coupon will be profitable over the entire life of the coupon. The last thing you want to do is discontinue the coupon because of lost profits. Doing the math will ensure happy customers and a profitable campaign.

It seems like there is a new article every week on how to save money at the grocery store and most of them say the same thing: Make a list, Eat before you shop, Bring coupons (DartzDeals loves this one ), and Look out for store specials.

While these are all great ways to save, I ran across this article that gives you a few more options you might not have thought of. Some ideas I like are:

1. Skip the processed food (fresh is always better for you and your pocket)

2. Skip the precuts and grate it yourself. This will save you money and not take a lot of time out of your day. Get the family involved in preparing food and enjoy the extra quality time together.

3. No toiletries. If you can, make a separate list and buy these items at discount stores where they are 20-40% less.

4. Eat more beans! They are inexpensive and are powerhouses of nutrition.

The article suggests freezing milk as a way to save. I’ve never done it, but if you do tell us how it goes. And remember, use the first inch or two of the milk to avoid a messy explosion when it expands.

*A tip of my own (as a college student who refuses to eat Ramen): Shop more often.   I used to shop for the next 3 weeks or so, but I kept throwing away unused produce and other perishables. I started shopping every week and enjoyed eating fresher food and savings of about $50 a month.

Below is the full article with all 20 tips:

http://curbly.com/diy-maven/posts/2289-top-20-ways-to-save-money-at-the-grocery-store

More and more people are turning to coupons to eat and drink for less. Restaurants want you to use the coupons they offer because it brings in new clientele and a chance for returning business. At the same time you don’t want to come off as a cheapskate, especially if you love the food and will return for more.

Here are some tips to having an enjoyable meal with your restaurant coupon:

1. Read the fine print before you go to the restaurant and if you have questions, ask your server. There’s nothing more frustrating than eating at a wonderful restaurant only to find out you went on a blackout date. Your servers should be more than happy to explain the coupon to you, so don’t be embarrassed to ask.

2. Hand over your coupon upfront. This will avoid confusion and make your dining experience a lot smoother. Tell the restaurant when you make your reservation (if applicable), tell your hostess, and more importantly tell your server.

3. Don’t be a Diva. I think this applies with or without a coupon.

4. Tip the pre-discount total: The server gave you the same service he or she would give without the coupon so remember to tip on the pre-discount total. Just because a diner has a coupon doesn’t mean the waiter should take a pay cut.

5. Let them know if you loved your experience. It’s polite and might make the restaurant more inclined to offer coupons in the future

Want to know more?: http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2010/08/31/55-blackboardeats-com-founder-maggie-nemser/