Coupons -- tackey or tantalizing

When Dante had Tantalus reach up for some fruit of the tree or stoop down to drink from the pool of water, both nutrients receded and he was out of luck.

You get to tantalize people with an ethical bribe that brings them more value than they expected when you use a coupon or something like it.

Coupons are great for any product because they are one of the least expensive ways of advertising. Yes, you're giving away some of the price of the product, but it just costs you so much less.

Advertising can be the most expensive part of a company's budget. For a singer or artist, it can far exceed all of the artisit's income just to get someone to notice them.

A coupon lets someone sample your wares. If your product, service, talent is good, they'll likely want more.

Advertising can only get someone to try you once -- only product quality can get them to use you a second time.

Examine my Credibility Matrix. It's the key.



Advertising in box 1 and 2 is fairly cheap. People know you or your product. You have credibility. Advertising 3 and 4 is extremely expensive. You have nearly zero credibility.

Your job is to move people from boxes 3 and 4 up to boxes 1 and 2 as cheaply as possible. Once they arrive in 1 or 2, then you can spend money attracting more sales.

Coupons allow you to move quickly and cheaply.

For the cost of printing, you can reach people with a great deal. They hate to throw great deals away. The longer your coupon sits in front of them, the more they keep seeing you. Your photo may need to be on the coupon or a picture of the product. You've just bought, for the cost of printing, advertising space.

Coupons can be for:
1. Free samples, lessons, special report, free information, etc.
2. Buy one get one free
3. Percentage off -- the higher the %, the better the response
4. A trade-in
5. To feature the person in one of your events
6. Entering a drawing, raffle, etc.
7. Someone else's product that you've made arrangements to give away free for them.

You can also:
1. Email coupons or mail them.
2. Ask friends to distribute them.
3. Pass them out at other events where the audience demographics is similar.
4. Give them to a radio or TV station to give out in their promotions as a gift.
5. Include them with other coupons that are mailed.
6. Give them out at an event you sponsor or where you've featured.
7. Include them with a different product you sell.

You'll think of a dozen more. Just go to work and the ideas will flow.