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writing/media
placement/other
The
REDIMAT News, May 2004
==IN
THIS ISSUE==
**Welcome**
**Article-Coupons and Discounts as a Way to Boost Sales**
**Special Offer-REDIMAT's Stockpile Sale**
**Subscribe, Unsubscribe or Forward**
==IN THIS ISSUE==
Welcome!
Welcome to REDIMAT News, a monthly dispatch designed to enlighten,
inform and offer insight to our customers. This month, we'll
talk about coupons and discounts to promote your art to potential
customers and repeat sales with existing ones.
We
want to make certain REDIMAT News meets your needs-if you
have comments or suggestions for future issues, feel free
to send Ellie feedback at sales@redimat.com.
If you received this e-mail in error or simply prefer not
to receive further issues, simply click the link at the bottom
to remove yourself from our list.
=================================================
COUPONS AND DISCOUNTS AS A WAY TO BOOST SALES
When
we mention the word 'coupons' what comes to mind? Does your
mind jump to thoughts of Sunday newspaper inserts overflowing
with grocery coupons? Probably so.
As
artists, we can learn something from those grocery makers.
Have you ever wondered why big food companies consistently
issue coupons? Because they recognize that coupons and discounts,
even small, are one fantastic way to get people to try a new
product. Similarly, you can use coupons and discounts as a
way to grow our art-buying audience.
Coupons
and discounts are a surefire way to capture the attention
of your buyers and potential buyers. But how do you even begin
developing your coupon/discount strategy? Consider the questions
below:
-->What
photography or art is your proven seller? A consistently strong
seller isn't immune from coupon possibilities. Consider creating
limited edition prints or photos and raising the price, then
offering a small discount to current art patrons.
-->What
pieces or prints are stockpiling, taking up valuable space
in your studio? If you've been trying to ignore that pile
of prints taking up space on the edge of your desk, now is
the time to act. Consider using the prints as a 'freebie'
given to people who purchase other work. Have a 2 for 1 sale
offering people the chance to buy one for them and one for
a friend. Offer them at 75% off their original price.
When
you have an idea of which pieces are collecting dust while
other pieces are collecting checks, you can develop your coupon/discount
strategy even further. A few things to consider:
-->Online,
offline or both? When developing your promotion, think about
how you want to deliver coupons or discount offers.
---->Online:
Coupon offers are easy to add to your current online activities.
Place coupon offers in your e-newsletter, your e-mail signature
block or feature them prominently on your web site.
---->Offline:
Mailing or hand-delivering a coupon adds a special touch and
gives you a large amount of creative freedom. Consider making
coupons available at the counter of the gallery where your
work is being shown, and make sure you have your patrons'
mailing addresses so that you can keep them abreast of the
latest exclusive offerings.
-->Consider
cross-promotion: If there are other artists with whom you
partner, consider cross-discounting and promoting each other's
work both online and offline. Additionally, if there is any
cost incurred, this partnership offers the perfect way to
share the financial burden.
-->Define
your limitations. Good news travels fast-and news about free
stuff travels even faster. Should you decide to offer a freebie
as an incentive, be aware that news of your promotion may
travel farther than you ever anticipated. The Internet is
filled with web sites and message boards focused on freebies
and bargains, with people gleefully signing up to receive
any free thing you'll send them. Consider limiting availability
of your initial offering unless you're capable of producing
and meeting any exponential demand.
-->What
you see is what you get: Coupons are very literal, tangible
things. Make sure you think through all of the elements of
your coupon: from the size and format to offer language. Think
about it this way-if you depict matted work on your coupon
then the customer will likely assume the product will be matted.
Make sure that you're creating the right expectation.
-->And
speaking of matted: Scrap materials (like scrap matting, overrun
photos, etc.) can be creatively used to develop your offline
promotion. Showcase not only the offer, but also your expertise
by creating an attractive, attention-grabbing coupon. Don't
be afraid to combine a variety of different materials into
a 3-D object-a coupon doesn't have to be flat and boring.
Coupons
are a fantastic, easy way to reach your audience and reach
out to new audiences. So the next time you're looking at increasing
sales or moving-out slow moving product, put your coupon-creator
hat on!
SPECIAL OFFER: REDIMAT’S STOCKPILE SALE
All
this talk about coupons got us thinking that we needed to
get rid of a few stockpiles we’ve been hanging on to.
Whether we ordered too many or sold too few, the fact is we
have more than we need and we’re ready to part with them.
So, until June 18, 2004, here is the deal:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
$10.00
| 100 5x7 Photo mats (3x4.5 opening)
$10.00
| 100 5x7 Photo mats (3.5x5.5 opening)
$15.00 | 100 8x10 Photo mats (4.5x6.5 opening)
$20.00
| 100 11x14 Photo mats (7.5x9.5 opening)
Come
assorted only! Any backing boards, etc. must be ordered separately.
All great colors, finest grade Crescent decorative matboards...great
for gifts, especially good for grads sending out those pictures!
Contact
Ellie at 1-877-883-1011 to order and mention the newsletter!
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