What is a Promotion in Marketing? - [6 different forms]

Madhu Kumar C
Apr 26, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Nov 3

Promotion in Marketing:

In marketing, a promotion is a marketing tactic used to increase the visibility and sales of a product or service. It is a way for businesses to attract potential customers and encourage them to purchase their products or services.

Promotions can take many forms, including discounts, coupons, contests, giveaways, free samples, and loyalty programs. To give you more information, let's go deeper.

Promotion Marketing:

The goal of a promotion is to create buzz and excitement around a product or service, which can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.

One common type of promotion is a discount or coupon.

This involves offering customers a percentage off the regular price of a product or service or providing them with a coupon that can be redeemed for a discount on a future purchase.

They are effective because they incentivize customers to purchase by offering them a tangible benefit.

Do you know? - “Consumers redeem text message coupons 10x more than any other type of coupon” - HubSpot

Another popular promotion tactic is a contest or giveaway. This involves offering customers the chance to win a prize in exchange for completing an action, such as making a purchase or sharing a post on social media.

They are effective because they create excitement and encourage customer engagement with the brand.

“64% of customers buy a product after watching their videos online” – Fliki

Free samples are another common promotion tactic. This involves providing customers with a small sample of a product for free, in the hopes that they will enjoy it and purchase more in the future.

They are effective because they allow customers to try before they buy, which can increase their confidence in the product.

Remember - “Customers are demanding more human connection from the companies they buy from” – Qualtrics

Lastly, loyalty programs are becoming increasingly popular as a promotion tactic. These programs reward customers for repeat purchases by offering them discounts, exclusive perks, and other benefits.

They are effective because they incentivize customers to continue buying from the brand, which can lead to increased sales over time.

“Create a loyalty program that suits your needs. For example, rather than having a free item as the reward, make it a “buy one, get one” to encourage a future visit or offer a discount when they shop with a friend to incent referrals” – American Express and PayPal Survey

Examples of famous promotions: Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Apple iPhone launches, Flipkart Big Billion Days, and the Amazon Great Indian Sale.

Other promotions typically occur in conjunction with holidays, anniversaries, founder's day, birthdays, and any other unique or special events that differ by industry, brand, or business.

Effectiveness of Sales Promotion Techniques:

Pro-Tip: Several pre-made templates for promotion are available on the Canva platform, and you can use them right away to accelerate sales.

In conclusion, promotions in marketing can be an effective way to drive short-term sales, build brand loyalty, and acquire new customers.

By offering discounts, coupons, contests, giveaways, free samples, and loyalty programs, businesses can create excitement around their products or services and encourage customers to make a purchase.

Here's related information that you may find helpful – Company Branding versus Product Branding

FAQs:

Promotion in Marketing Management:

Promotion in marketing management is a strategic communication process that aims to increase awareness, stimulate interest, and drive sales of products or services.

It involves planning, implementing, and controlling activities like advertising, sales promotions, public relations (PR), and personal selling to influence customer behavior and achieve marketing objectives.

What is Marketing and Promotion?:

Marketing is the comprehensive process of creating, communicating, and delivering value to customers, while promotion is a specific component of marketing that focuses on direct communication tactics to increase product awareness and stimulate sales through incentives like discounts, advertising, and special offers.

how does promotion benefit customers — How does Promotion Benefit Customers?

Promotions in Marketing:

Promotions in marketing are tactical activities designed to stimulate immediate customer action through incentives like discounts, special offers, advertising, and events.

They're short-term strategies within the broader marketing mix that aim to increase sales, boost brand awareness, or drive specific customer behaviors.

Types of Promotion in Marketing:

The following are the various types of promotion in marketing:

Advertising (TV, radio, print, online).
Sales Promotion (discounts, coupons, contests).
Personal Selling (face-to-face sales).
Public Relations (press releases, media relations).
Direct Marketing (email, direct mail, SMS, telemarketing).
Digital or Online Promotion (social media, content marketing, SEO).
Sponsorship (events, teams, causes).
Trade Shows & Exhibitions.

What is Promotional Advertising?:

Promotional advertising is a specific form of marketing that uses incentives (discounts, coupons, contests, free samples) to stimulate immediate customer action and boost short-term sales.

Unlike general advertising that builds brand awareness over time, promotional advertising focuses on driving quick results through time-limited offers and clear calls to action (CTA).

“Businesses with integrated loyalty and promotions strategies often report higher sales, stronger engagement, and better ROI” - Harvard Business Review Analytic Services report, by Talon

Ways of Promotion in Marketing:

The following are the various ways of promotion in marketing:

Advertising (TV, print, digital, outdoor).
Sales Promotions (discounts, coupons, contests).
Public Relations (press releases, events).
Direct Marketing (email, SMS, mail).
Social Media Marketing (organic posts, paid ads).
Content Marketing (blogs, videos, podcasts).
Influencer Marketing (partnerships with key figures).
Affiliate Marketing (commission-based referrals).
Event Marketing (trade shows, webinars).
Loyalty Programs (rewards, membership perks).

Benefits of Promotion in Marketing:

Here are the various benefits of promotion in marketing:

Increases brand awareness and visibility.
Boosts sales and revenue.
Attracts new customers.
Enhances customer engagement and loyalty.
Communicates product value and benefits.
Creates competitive advantage.
Drives immediate customer action.
Supports product launches and seasonal sales.
Builds stronger customer relationships.
Helps clear inventory and manage product lifecycles.

Marketing Channels Preferred by Consumers for Brand Promotions (Source - Optimove Insights 2025 Marketing Fatigue Survey)

What is Product Promotion in Marketing?:

Product promotion in marketing is the process of communicating a product's value to potential and existing customers to increase awareness, generate interest, and drive sales.

Here's related information that you may also find helpful – Consumer Decision Making Process

P.S: Ready to [unlock the power of digital marketing] and drive [your] business forward? – Access my forum today

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