Coupon fatigue?

ASparrow · 11-14-2009, 10:56 AM

Does anyone think there might be such a thing as coupon fatigue? That the attractiveness of a free book coupon deal suffers from over-extended exposure?

I'm letting my coupon expire this Wednesday, and plan to let the book go a un-couponed a month or so just to see what kind of effect that has, more out of curiosity around marketing psychology than any intent to make dollars.

poshm · 11-14-2009, 11:40 AM

Some people definitely view freebies with suspicion as if there may be something wrong with the item.

I am personally grateful for coupons

Guess your answer is to try it and see what the difference is.

rhadin · 11-14-2009, 12:51 PM

I'm not sure about coupon fatigue. I find that the coupon entices me to take a look at the book being offered (assuming the coupon is for a pretty hefty discount) but that I often do not make use of the coupon, even if the book is free. I don't download books that I do not expect to read, even if the book is free. I suspect others also do the same, which may be why, once you get past the initial rush of those who will download any book offered for free, a decline in downloads by coupon users occurs.

I should also add that sometimes the coupon and the book are both well-received but the formats offered for the download are not usable or wanted. For example, it doesn't matter how many coupons are offered for books in Kindle format; I don't download those books because I have a Sony.

ASparrow · 11-14-2009, 12:52 PM

Right now I'm experiencing a ratio of two to one sample downloads to full coupon or other purchases. I suspect that ratio will change.

The freebie suspicion thing has got to change. I'm finding lots of quality stuff out there for free these days.

ASparrow · 11-14-2009, 12:54 PM

I wonder if a book with a heftier price tag would stir a larger reaction (more credibility, greater value) when a coupon is offered?

plumboz · 11-14-2009, 01:13 PM

Hi ASparrow,

As you know, I have been offering Boomerang with a free coupon these past few weeks and the response has been very gratifying, but it has dropped off lately. I think that the biggest factor there is it is difficult to find new venues with new potential readers and those who are interested have for the most part already taken advantage in the early stages.

But I am convinced that the advantages of getting ones work in front of as many people as possible is a good thing. Of course it is rather painful to offer up for free something that as involved so much labor, so much time, and to be honest, so much sacrifice to produce. On the other hand, I know I probably wouldn't invest hard earned funds in too many authors I had never heard of, but if the blurb sounds interesting and the investment is nil, you bet I'll have a look. And if I like what I read, I'll be one of the voices spreading the word.

I hope Xenolith is getting the readership it deserves and that your writing is progressing apace!

ASparrow · 11-14-2009, 01:27 PM

Thanks Alan. Writing novels is certainly the hardest work I've ever done in terms of intensity of thought and intellectual effort, but I would do it even if there was never even a possibility of remuneration. I suspect I'm not alone in feeling that way.

It's gratifying to know that people are reading one's work and some are actually enjoying it. It sure beats stashing a manuscript away in a box somewhere.

Along those lines, another variable I'm experimenting with is how much of a free sample to offer to get someone hooked on a story. Right now I'm offering 75%, thinking that might entice some people to download who otherwise wouldn't want to go through the trouble of registering. Is that ludicrous or not?

11-14-2009, 10:56 AM	#1
ASparrow Addict Posts: 355 Karma: 600000 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Boston Device: Palm TX	Coupon fatigue? Does anyone think there might be such a thing as coupon fatigue? That the attractiveness of a free book coupon deal suffers from over-extended exposure? I'm letting my coupon expire this Wednesday, and plan to let the book go a un-couponed a month or so just to see what kind of effect that has, more out of curiosity around marketing psychology than any intent to make dollars.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Help SonyStyle coupon	slantybard	Sony Reader	0	10-11-2010 05:42 PM
Sustained academic reading: Eye fatigue?	lillfjant	Apple Devices	5	06-13-2010 09:52 AM
Kobo coupon - 20% off	Skydog	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	14	03-29-2010 09:32 AM
coupon	gmacfall	Introduce Yourself	0	10-30-2009 07:03 PM
New Skinit.com Coupon!	MarciaCat	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	2	10-07-2008 11:15 AM

11-14-2009, 11:40 AM	#2
poshm Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1003580 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cambs, UK Device: PocketBook 360, Sony Reader Touch, Ipod touch & Kindle 2	Some people definitely view freebies with suspicion as if there may be something wrong with the item. I am personally grateful for coupons Guess your answer is to try it and see what the difference is.

11-14-2009, 12:51 PM	#3
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	I'm not sure about coupon fatigue. I find that the coupon entices me to take a look at the book being offered (assuming the coupon is for a pretty hefty discount) but that I often do not make use of the coupon, even if the book is free. I don't download books that I do not expect to read, even if the book is free. I suspect others also do the same, which may be why, once you get past the initial rush of those who will download any book offered for free, a decline in downloads by coupon users occurs. I should also add that sometimes the coupon and the book are both well-received but the formats offered for the download are not usable or wanted. For example, it doesn't matter how many coupons are offered for books in Kindle format; I don't download those books because I have a Sony.

11-14-2009, 12:52 PM	#4
ASparrow Addict Posts: 355 Karma: 600000 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Boston Device: Palm TX	Right now I'm experiencing a ratio of two to one sample downloads to full coupon or other purchases. I suspect that ratio will change. The freebie suspicion thing has got to change. I'm finding lots of quality stuff out there for free these days.

11-14-2009, 12:54 PM	#5
ASparrow Addict Posts: 355 Karma: 600000 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Boston Device: Palm TX	I wonder if a book with a heftier price tag would stir a larger reaction (more credibility, greater value) when a coupon is offered?

11-14-2009, 01:13 PM	#6
plumboz Novelist Posts: 591 Karma: 452032 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Arizona Device: Nook	Hi ASparrow, As you know, I have been offering Boomerang with a free coupon these past few weeks and the response has been very gratifying, but it has dropped off lately. I think that the biggest factor there is it is difficult to find new venues with new potential readers and those who are interested have for the most part already taken advantage in the early stages. But I am convinced that the advantages of getting ones work in front of as many people as possible is a good thing. Of course it is rather painful to offer up for free something that as involved so much labor, so much time, and to be honest, so much sacrifice to produce. On the other hand, I know I probably wouldn't invest hard earned funds in too many authors I had never heard of, but if the blurb sounds interesting and the investment is nil, you bet I'll have a look. And if I like what I read, I'll be one of the voices spreading the word. I hope Xenolith is getting the readership it deserves and that your writing is progressing apace!

11-14-2009, 01:27 PM	#7
ASparrow Addict Posts: 355 Karma: 600000 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Boston Device: Palm TX	Thanks Alan. Writing novels is certainly the hardest work I've ever done in terms of intensity of thought and intellectual effort, but I would do it even if there was never even a possibility of remuneration. I suspect I'm not alone in feeling that way. It's gratifying to know that people are reading one's work and some are actually enjoying it. It sure beats stashing a manuscript away in a box somewhere. Along those lines, another variable I'm experimenting with is how much of a free sample to offer to get someone hooked on a story. Right now I'm offering 75%, thinking that might entice some people to download who otherwise wouldn't want to go through the trouble of registering. Is that ludicrous or not?