Are they working? Any Samples - I'm have a hard time deciding how or what to do.

Thanks

Right now, I use coupons solely as a discount rather than as a way to entice people to buy my images (though, admittedly, the difference is subtle).  For instance, I have a group of friends whom I'm offering a discount.  I basically sent them an email saying "hey, you can download photos here, and they're cheaper if you use this coupon code."  I'll probably do the same for family members.

In my experience both as a shopper and watching other folks shop, limited-time offers can be a great motivator to get people to make the "buy" decision for an item that they're on the fence about.  Especially so if there's a minimum price to activate the discount (which Zenfolio doesn't currently support).

Anyway, hope that gives you some ideas.  Cheers,
--xsdg

 I shoot some kids sports - I'm thinking of sending an email out about 2-3 months after an event to let parents know that I may remove the gallery due to storage costs. And they have a short time to order at a discount before I remove the images.

I hear from toooo many parents How much they love the pictures and they are going to order - but then NEVER do. I know from friends that I let order at close to my cost that they just didn't get around to ordering. So I'm pretty sure it's not a price issue. I think a time limit might push then to order and an expiring the discount might help.

Another thing that comes to mind is having a coupon code for folks that you meet; perhaps on the back of a business card or something like that.  IME, many people don't realize how beautiful a print is until they're holding it in their hands.  I know that was certainly the case for me

I've been struggling a lot with online sales, but by contrast, I've literally shown a friend of a family friend some prints that I made and they asked "are these for sale?"  That seems like the perfect time to offer a business-card with a discount.  They know and like what a print looks like in person, they know where to get one, and they have reason to believe that they'll be getting it for a bargain (even if it's a small bargain).

--xsdg

I only have 1 coupon active for family members that lets them buy at slightly above base price.

Until the coupons are a more flexible, I probably won't use them very much.

On a side note, after 2-3 months they forget you even took the photos let alone order any.  I think 30 days is fair.  If they don't buy when the event is still fresh in their minds, they probably won't ever order.

 New user here, How do you actually advise your customers the coupons are available or do you jist give them a promo code?

Jim