Discounts work… until they don’t.
Over time, your customers get used to them.
They start expecting a code. Waiting for the next deal. Holding off on purchases unless there’s a sale.
That’s when you’ve got “discount fatigue” — a slow erosion of sales, margins, engagement, and perceived brand value.
Good news:
There are a TON of other ways to run a compelling, sales-worthy promotion. It keeps things fresh while preserving your margins and brand image.
In this article, you’ll learn 8 proven offer types that help you drive sales, protect your brand, and keep your list excited…
Without giving 20% off every time you hit “send.”
| Table of Contents |
| Why Discount Fatigue is a Problem 8 Promo Offers (Besides Discounts) That Drive Lots of Revenue Keep Things Fresh With These Promo Ideas What To Do Next |
Why Discount Fatigue is a Problem
Discounts aren’t inherently a problem. Overusing them is the real issue.
Sending “10% off” for every promo devalues your products and trains your audience to wait for a bigger discount.
It also makes promos themselves less exciting. They’re more predictable. They won’t catch the customer’s eye and get them interested.
Yeah, your promo will still make sales. But fewer.
Your margins will shrink as you try bigger discounts, resulting in a race to the bottom with a promo-resistant audience.
No need to ditch promos entirely. You just have to reframe the offer. Restructure it. And that’s where the next section comes in…
8 Promo Offers (Besides Discounts) That Drive Lots of Revenue
You don’t need to train your customers to wait for 20% off.
These 8 promo offer types keep your emails exciting, your brand strong, and your revenue flowing — without defaulting to discounts every time.
Here’s how to mix it up while still driving conversions…
1. Gift with Purchase (GWP)
A Gift With Purchase (GWP) offer involves giving customers a free bonus item when they order eligible products.
“Buy X, get a free Y.” Simple, compelling, easy to execute.
Why it works
A GWP offer adds perceived value without reducing product prices. Instead, the customer feels like they’re getting MORE for their money.
At the same time, you can use these to clear out some slow-moving or even discontinued inventory. I did this once for a client’s BFCM sale to help them liquidate a discontinued item.
These are easy to set up, depending on your software.
For some clients, for example, we had to tell the customer to add the product to their order and the discount code would knock it to $0… or the site would do it automatically. Clarity is key here.
How to use it in campaigns
Some quick tips for introducing and talking about your GWP offer:
- Highlight the free git in your subject line/preview: “Today only: Free [Item] with your order”
- Use imagery to make the gift feel like a real prize
- Reinforce the value of the gift (“$15 value – yours free”)
- Frame it as limited or exclusive to add urgency where appropriate
For example, on that last bullet, a client had 10 of a valuable item ($180) to give away with a big-time purchase ($7k).
Urgency (sale deadline) AND scarcity (first 10 people ONLY get that valuable item).
Use cases/angles to test
Here are some potential gift ideas for a GWP offer:
- Pair low-cost samples with everyday products
- Offer premium freebies with high-ticket orders (works well to push big purchases over the line)
- Use branded items or surprise extras to delight loyal customers
- Use it as an excuse to move excess stock without discounting core products
2. Free Shipping Threshold
A Free Shipping Threshold offer is when you make shipping free on orders that meet a certain dollar value.
Think things like:
- “Free shipping on orders $75+”
- “Spend $100 and we’ll pay for your shipping”
Why it works
Like the GWP idea, Free Shipping Thresholds add value without directly slashing product pricing.
Yes, they are getting a “discount.” Money is money. But getting free shipping feels like a “bonus.”
Free Shipping thresholds also help:
- Boost AOV (customers add more to their cart to get free shipping)
- Move higher-priced items (they instantly meet the threshold)
How to use it in campaigns
Some quick tips on implementing a Free Shipping Threshold into a promotion:
- Frame it as a bonus, not a baseline: “This weekend only — free shipping on orders $75+”
- Use urgency: “Ends tonight” or “Last chance for free shipping”
- Mention the shipping cost you’re covering (such as “We’ll cover your $9.95 shipping cost”) to reinforce the value (people like seeing dollar savings)
- Include cart-building visuals to push people above the threshold
- Give customers combo ideas if relevant (makes it easier for them to find the best options to hit that threshold, increasing the chance they order)
- Use “progress bars” to gamify the threshold a bit. The bar “fills up” by dollar value as they add products
Use cases/angles to test
A few ideas for Free Shipping Threshold promos:
- For broader or sitewide sales, set the threshold just above your AOV to lift spend without overwhelming the buyer
- Offer lower thresholds for VIPs to reward loyalty
- Don’t do a threshold if the promo centers on specific high-ticket items (like a few hundred dollars per item). Just offer free shipping
3. Bundle Offers
Bundle Offers combine two or more products into a single offer — and discounts the price on that bundle.
Think of things like:
- “Buy the Bushy Beard Bundle and save”
- “The three tools to master your golf game in one bundle”
- “3 best-selling teas, 1 limited edition flavor, and a bonus scoop… yours for $X”
From a technical perspective, you can either:
- Make the customer add all to their cart and use a code. This is simpler but gives the customer more work and makes it harder to sell the “synergy” of the bundle’s items.
- Combine the products into a new, separate offer. This involves more work (creating a new landing or product page), but now you can send customers to a dedicated page AND more easily sell the benefits of the bundle offer.
Why it works
Bundle Offers let you combine complementary products. These products work together to solve some specific problem that none do in isolation.
For example, a flavored water company could create an “ultimate summer bundle” with specific fruit flavors that fit the season.
That said, you CAN do a “custom bundle offer” if you want. More on that in the “use cases” section.
Meanwhile…
The Bundle Offer is not a simple “discount” because customers have to buy all of them at once. You don’t even have to show the “discount” on the product, but rather just list the “combo” price.”
So it does not devalue the items like a simple discount does… especially when framed properly.
How to use it in campaigns
A few tips for elaborating on the Bundle Offer in your promo:
- Emphasize what’s included — use bullet lists and images to visualize the full stack
- Use copy like “Everything you need for [X]” or “The fastest way to get results with [Product]”
- Anchor the total value: “Normally $112 sold separately… yours for $89”
- Use it as a lead-in to education or problem/solution storytelling
- Write copy selling the individual products in emails mid-promo while tying back to the bundle
Use cases/angles to test
Here are some great ideas to inspire your Bundle Offer:
- New product + existing bestseller = guided purchase path for first-time buyers
- Education-based bundles: Great for supplements, skincare, or multi-step solutions (such as an “ultimate beard care bundle” as mentioned earlier)
- Occasion-based bundles: Holiday gift kits, travel sets, “Summer Ready” packs, etc.
- Limited-run bundles: Create exclusivity and urgency without discounting
- Custom bundles. Customers DO have to think harder, but you can implement an email showing your recommended combos
4. Mystery Bonus
A Mystery Bonus is a surprise add-on customers get when they order. You don’t tell them what it is, although you may hint at it.
Either way, it could be things like:
- A product sample
- A lower-end product
- Branded swag
- Stickers
Examples include:
- “A mystery gift with every order — today only”
- “You’ll get something extra… we’re not telling what it is (yet)”
- “Order now and we’ll surprise you with a bonus at checkout”
Why it works
These use curiosity to encourage purchases. It adds an element of fun and intrigue since customers never know exactly what they’ll get until they get it.
Like the GWP offer, Mystery Bonuses add more value without discounting. Yet the perceived value of the gift can be higher than its actual cost due to the “mystery” around it.
And, of course, this can help clear inventory without making customers think you’re just trying to ditch old stock.
How to use it in campaigns
- Use language that teases: “We’ve got a surprise for you” or “There’s a bonus waiting in your box”
- Highlight that the mystery item is only available for a limited time or to a particular group (adds exclusivity)
- Don’t reveal the item, but hint at what type of thing it might be (e.g. “fan favorite,” “staff pick,” “limited-run sample”)
Use cases/angles to test
- Use as a daily surprise during multi-day promos to boost engagement each day
- Pair with limited inventory promos to make the offer feel even more exclusive
- Try with first-time customer orders to make their experience feel special
- Drop in UGC or social proof from customers who received past mystery bonuses (great for repeat use)
- Use this to expose customers to lesser-known products OR the “next logical product” in their journey, if possible
5. Store Credit
A Store Credit promo involves proactively giving your customers a store credit — usually as a fixed amount — to spend during a promo.
Some examples include:
- “We just dropped $20 in your account — go spend it”
- “You’ve got $50 in store credit waiting (but only for 48 hours)”
- “Here’s $15 on us — no strings attached”
Why it works
This feels like a gift, not a discount… even though it functions almost exactly as one. The customer saves money, but you don’t have to mark down your products.
It also taps into “free money” psychology. Losing free money is more painful than missing a discount.
Oh, and it subtly feels like they get more choice. They are choosing where to use THEIR free money. Not just selecting a discounted product.
Think about it:
“$20 store credit to use on anything” hits harder than “20% off everything.”
How to use it in campaigns
- Lead with the credit: “You’ve got $25 to spend today” or “We put $25 store credit in your account”
- Use urgency: “Expires in 24 hours” or “Use it before it disappears”
- Emphasize that the credit is real and bankable — “No code needed. Just add to cart.”
- Emphasize the “personal” nature of it. It’s “in their account,” making it feel more like it is THEIR money
- Works especially well with VIP or long-time subscriber lists
Use cases/angles to test
- Use for reactivation: Target cold or unengaged subscribers with a “surprise credit”
- Reward anniversaries or milestones (“You’ve been with us for a year! Here’s $30 to celebrate”)
- Use tiered messaging: “You got $25… some got $50. Open to find out why.” (curiosity + segmentation)
- Test different amounts based on AOV… just enough to feel meaningful, but not too margin-heavy
6. Loyalty Point Booster
A Loyalty Point Booster promo rewards customers with extra loyalty points for their purchase.
You can either give a fixed number of bonus points (should be a BIG number to make it worth it) or a multiplier (like 2x). I prefer the multiplier option.
Some examples:
- “Get $10 store credit with any $50+ order”
- “Earn 2x loyalty points this weekend only”
- “Spend now, save later — your future self will thank you”
Why it works
This functions like a “delayed discount”… WITHOUT marking down and devaluing your products.
That means customers feel like they’re getting a reward instead of a discount…
Meanwhile, you collect full margin purchases up front. The customer can’t redeem those points until after they buy.
Great for boosting cash flows.
These work especially well for repeat customers (or turning one-offs into repeat customers) without training that discount-seeking behavior.
They likely have some points already, and now have a huge opportunity to stack more. The more they buy, the more points they can spend later.
Overall, works best with consumables. But hey, nonconsumables can use this to encourage customers to buy an extra or another product.
How to use it in campaigns
- Emphasize the “bankable value” angle. For example, “Spend $75, get $15 for your next order” or “Shop now, save later”.
- Use urgency, such as “This bonus credit expires in 48 hours”
- For loyalty-based promos, remind subscribers they’re earning faster than usual (“Double points weekend!”)
Use cases/angles to test
- Trigger credit/points based on spend thresholds to lift AOV
- Combine with post-purchase flows to nudge customers into a second purchase
- Offer to VIPs or loyalty members only for exclusivity (or give them a higher tier, like 3x vs. 2x for the non-VIPs)
- Position as a “thank you” campaign rather than a promo (“We’re adding $10 to your account as a reward”)
7. Tiered Rewards (“Buy More, Get More”)
Tiered Rewards escalate the offer depending on spend threshold. The more the customer spends, the bigger their reward.
Examples include:
- “Spend $50, get 10% off. Spend $75, get 15% off. Spend $100, get 20% off”
- “$10 off for $50+ orders, $25 off for $100+ orders”
- “Free shipping at $50, free shipping + 10% off at $100”
Why it works
These encourage customers to load up their cart, boosting AOV. The gamification aspect makes things fun for them.
You benefit, too, and not just from bigger orders. You can test various offers, whether discounts, store credit, loyalty points, gifts, free shipping, or any combination of these.
Even if you use discounts, it doesn’t devalue your products like a simple discount. Instead, it
How to use it in campaigns
- Use a tier graphic or bullet breakdown for clarity: “Spend $50 = 1 bonus / Spend $100 = 2 bonuses / Spend $150 = 3 + free shipping”
- Reinforce the urgency: “Ends midnight tonight — lock in your highest reward”
- Use subject lines like: “How far will you go?” or “Unlock up to 3 gifts today” to give them a light, fun “challenge”
- Use a “progress bar” to gamify the thresholds more. The bar “fills up” by dollar value as they add products
- Consider AOV when determining thresholds. Aim for round numbers, but try to set thresholds just above AOV amounts to maximize potential orders
Use cases/angles to test
- Works great for seasonal sales or holidays with higher order volume (especially BFCM)
- Perfect for bundle-building and AOV-focused campaigns
- Try combining tiered rewards + store credit for high-value promos
- Test it with VIPs to encourage bigger repeat purchases
- Nudge them toward higher-ticket purchases if you sell higher-ticket items — an easy way to hit the thresholds instantly
8. Early Access / VIP Launch Window
An Early Access, or VIP Launch Window, promo gives select customers the first chance to take advantage of a coming promo offer.
Usually, that is either:
- Email/SMS subscribers ONLY (for more publicized sitewide sales)
- VIP customers (for less publicized sales you’re only running to email/SMS subscribers)
That could be a new product launch, a sale, a restock, or a limited-edition item.
Some examples include:
- “VIPs get access 24 hours before everyone else”
- “This launch is invite-only — for now”
“We’re opening the doors early for subscribers only”
Why it works
People love exclusivity and status. They’re getting something that others don’t AND they’re cool for it.
It also adds some urgency. The window is limited, and people don’t want to miss that chance at status and exclusivity.
While this can enhance any promo, it works best as its own thing when you’re restocking popular items, dropping new products, or about to run a huge and well-known promo (like BFCM).
How to use it in campaigns
- Use language like: “Your early access window is open,” “Subscribers go first,” or “VIPs only: Early access”
- Add a countdown to reinforce urgency and exclusivity
- Consider segmenting VIPs, loyal customers, or engaged subscribers to make it feel earned
- Great subject lines include things like, “You’re first in line,” “Your early access starts now,” and “Shh… you get first dibs”
Use cases/angles to test
- Product launches or restocks that typically sell out
- Rewarding your best customers (based on spend or engagement)
- Multi-day campaigns: VIPs first, general access later
- Use with non-subscribers as a growth tactic: “Sign up now to get early access next time”
- BIG sales like BFCM or Christmas
Keep Things Fresh With These Promo Ideas
Discounts aren’t evil. They have their place. But if they’re your only move, your list will tire of them…
And your margins (and sales) will suffer.
These 8 offer types give you a lot more to work with. They help you create urgency, deliver value, and drive real revenue without training your customers to wait for a markdown.
If you run 1 promo a month, you could almost go a year without the same style of offer.
So try swapping one of these into your next promo.
You might be surprised how well your audience responds… especially when your products still feel worth full price.
What To Do Next
- Share this article with someone who might find it helpful (or entertaining).
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- Reach out to me if you have a sizable email list and make less than 20% of your revenue through email.