In the past few days, I’ve walked you through…
~ what is a promotional campaign (aka holiday sales or flash sales, or launches)
~ the #1 mistake when it comes to running a profitable launch
~ the 5-part structure for all successful launches
~ how many emails should you send in each phase of your launch
~ how to write the emails for each phase (the simplest approach)
So far, you have everything you need to make your next holiday promo very (very) profitable. Today, I want to share a few quick tips to make your next promo “pop.”
Tip #1 – A promo without a narrative feels like a needy cash-grab
Most e-commerces runs promos because…
They need the cash.
They have units to move.
They are missing the revenue milestone.
So… they panic… look at the calendar… “Oh, Valentine’s Day is around the corner”… slap a 50 percent off discount… and announce a sale.
Slow down.
I get it. Most people like discounts. So, yes, when you run a sale, you will get a few more sales to keep the boat above the water.
But when you do it the wrong way…
You will tarnish your brand.
Running frequent sales without a “compelling” reason makes you look needy… like a Dollar Tree Store. This is why you need a “narrative.”
A backstory.
A reason why.
A BELIEVABLE and NEWSWORTHY cause behind your promotion.
I’ll share more about how to create a narrative in future series.
(reply if you’re interested)
Tip #2 – Do not announce your deadline too early
If I tell you…
“It’s super urgent. The deadline to do this is 4 years from now.”
You’d roll your eyes, thinking I’m stupid.
In the Internet world…
4 days = 4 years
That’s why I never announce a deadline unless I’m less than 4 days away.
Disclosing the deadline too early? You lose the urgency for good.
Tip #3 – Don’t expect people to read
I will relentlessly remind subscribers of the important bits.
~ what’s in the offer
~ how to claim the bonus
~ step-by-step how to checkout
~ what’s the deadline (with a ticking countdown timer)
People are busy. Don’t force them to remember what you said in the last email.
Tell them.
Tell them what you told them.
And tell them again.
3 quick tips to get you started.
Now, go crush your next promo.
To be continued…
– WYH
P.S. – This is not an all-inclusive list.
If I want to summarize all my personal lessons learned from running profitable promos for clients, I’d be writing a book.
Well…
I might write that book one day.
Let me know if you’d be interested in a compendium-style guide with tips for running highly profitable e-commerces promotions.