What Are Discount Coupons?
Discount coupons are promotional codes that allow attendees to receive a discount on their event ticket purchases. As an event organiser, you can create coupons to:
- Increase ticket sales during slow periods
- Reward early bird purchasers
- Attract specific audiences with targeted discounts
- Create urgency with limited-time offers
- Boost attendance for underperforming events
Accessing the Coupon Management System
- Log into your organizer dashboard
- Navigate to the sidebar menu
- Click on “Discount Coupons”
- You'll see your coupon management interface
Creating Your First Coupon
Step 1: Access Coupon Creation
- Go to your organizer dashboard
- Click “Discount Coupons” in the sidebar
- Click the “Create New Coupon” button
Step 2: Basic Coupon Information
Coupon Code
- Enter a unique code (e.g.,
EARLYBIRD2024,SAVE20) - Use uppercase letters and numbers only
- Avoid spaces and special characters
- Make it memorable for your audience
Coupon Name
- Give it a descriptive name (e.g., “Early Bird Special”, “Student Discount”)
- This helps you identify it later
Description
- Explain what the coupon offers
- Include any terms or conditions
- Example: “Get 20% off all tickets when you book before March 1st”
Step 3: Choose Discount Type
Percentage Discount
- Best for: Flexible pricing, multiple ticket types
- Example: 15% off all tickets
- How it works: Discount is calculated as a percentage of the total order
Fixed Amount Discount
- Best for: Specific currency amount savings
- Example: 10 GHS off any ticket purchase
- How it works: Fixed amount is deducted from the total order
Step 4: Set Discount Value
Percentage Discounts:
- Enter the percentage (e.g., 15 for 15% off)
- Maximum recommended: 50% to maintain profitability
Fixed Amount Discounts:
- Enter the amount (e.g., 10.00 for 10 GHS/XAF off)
- Consider your ticket prices when setting amounts
Step 5: Configure Usage Limits
Maximum Redemptions
- Set a limit on how many times the coupon can be used
- Leave blank for unlimited usage
- Recommended: Start with 100–500 redemptions for testing
Usage Limit Per User
- Set how many times one person can use the coupon
- Options: 1 (one-time use) or unlimited
- Recommended: 1 for most promotional coupons
Step 6: Set Validity Period
Start Date
- When the coupon becomes active
- Set to current date for immediate activation
End Date
- When the coupon expires
- Consider your event timeline
- Recommended: End 1–2 weeks before event date
Step 7: Choose Applicable Events
All Events
- Coupon applies to all your events
- Best for: General promotional campaigns
Specific Events
- Select individual events from your list
- Best for: Event-specific promotions
- Note: Only paid events are available (free events are excluded)
Step 8: Minimum Order Requirement
- Set a minimum subtotal required to use the coupon
- Example: 50 GHS minimum for a 10 GHS discount
Step 9: Save and Activate
- Review all your settings
- Click “Create Coupon”
- Your coupon is now active and ready to use
Understanding Coupon Types
Percentage Discounts
When to Use:
- Multiple ticket price points
- Flexible discount amounts
- Percentage-based promotions
Examples:
EARLYBIRD20– 20% off all ticketsSTUDENT15– 15% off for studentsGROUP10– 10% off for group bookings
Pros
- Scales with ticket prices
- Easy to understand
- Flexible for different events
Cons
- Can be large on expensive tickets
- May reduce profitability on high-value sales
Fixed Amount Discounts
When to Use:
- Specific currency savings
- Flat-rate promotions
- Budget-friendly discounts
Examples:
SAVE10– 10 GHS/XAF off any purchaseFIRST5– 5 off first-time buyersWELCOME15– 15 off new customers
Pros
- Predictable discount amount
- Easy to budget
- Clear value proposition
Cons
- May be small for premium tickets
- Fixed cost regardless of ticket price
⚙️ Setting Up Coupon Restrictions
Event Restrictions
Single Event Coupons
- Target specific events that need a boost
- Create urgency for particular dates
- Test different strategies per event
Multi-Event Coupons
- Apply to multiple events in a series
- Cross-promote related events
- Simplify management for similar promotions
Usage Restrictions
One-Time Use Per User
- Prevents abuse of promotional codes
- Encourages immediate action
- Best for: Limited-time offers
Unlimited Use Per User
- Allow repeat usage by the same person
- Encourage loyalty and referrals
- Best for: Loyalty programs
Time Restrictions
Early Bird Discounts
- Offer discounts for early purchasers
- Create urgency with expiration dates
- Reward advance planning
Last-Minute Promotions
- Boost sales close to event date
- Fill remaining capacity
- Create urgency for undecided attendees
Managing Active Coupons
Viewing Your Coupons
- Go to “Discount Coupons” in your dashboard
- See all your active coupons in a list
- View key information:
- Coupon code and name
- Discount type and value
- Usage statistics
- Status (active/inactive)
Monitoring Performance
Usage Statistics
- Track redemption counts
- Monitor usage patterns
- Identify successful campaigns
Revenue Impact
- Calculate discount impact on revenue
- Measure ROI of coupon campaigns
- Adjust strategies based on results
Editing Active Coupons
What You Can Edit:
- Coupon name and description
- Usage limits (increase if needed)
- End date (extend if successful)
- Status (activate/deactivate)
What You Cannot Edit:
- Coupon code (once created)
- Discount type (percentage vs fixed)
- Discount value (to prevent confusion)
Deactivating Coupons
- Go to your coupon list
- Click “Edit” on the coupon
- Change status to “Inactive”
- Save changes
Note: Deactivated coupons cannot be used for new orders, but existing validations remain intact.
Best Practices
Naming Coupons
Good Examples
EARLYBIRD2024— Clear and descriptiveSTUDENT20— Indicates audience and discountSAVE15NOW— Action-oriented and clear
Avoid
DISCOUNT1— Too genericCODE123— Not descriptiveSPECIAL_OFFER— Uses special characters
Discount Strategy
Start Conservative
- Begin with smaller discounts (10–15%)
- Test audience response
- Increase if needed
Consider Your Margins
- Ensure profitability after discounts
- Account for platform fees
- Factor in other costs
Timing Your Campaigns
Early Bird Strategy
- Launch 2–3 months before event
- Offer 15–25% discount
- Create urgency with expiration
Last-Minute Strategy
- Launch 1–2 weeks before event
- Offer 20–30% discount
- Target undecided attendees
Testing & Optimization
A/B Testing
- Test different discount amounts
- Try different coupon codes
- Compare performance across campaigns
Monitor & Adjust
- Track redemption rates
- Monitor revenue impact
- Adjust strategies based on data
Troubleshooting
Coupon Not Working
Problem: Attendees report coupon codes not working
- Check coupon status — ensure it's active
- Verify expiration date — ensure it hasn't expired
- Check usage limits — ensure not exceeded
- Verify event selection — ensure applicable to the event
- Check minimum order — ensure order meets requirements
Low Redemption Rates
Problem: Coupon created but few people are using it
- Increase promotion — share more widely
- Improve visibility — make codes easier to find
- Adjust discount — consider increasing value
- Extend validity — give more time to use
- Simplify terms — remove complex restrictions
High Redemption, Low Revenue
Problem: Many people using coupon but revenue impact is negative
- Reduce discount amount — lower percentage or fixed amount
- Increase minimum order — require higher purchase amounts
- Limit usage — restrict to one-time use per user
- Target specific events — focus on events that need boost
Getting Help
- Check this guide for common solutions
- Contact support for technical issues
- Review analytics for performance insights
❓ FAQ
General Questions
Q: Can I create multiple coupons for the same event?
A: Yes, you can create multiple coupons for the same event. This is useful for different promotional campaigns or targeting different audiences.
Q: Can I edit a coupon after it's been created?
A: You can edit most coupon settings (name, description, usage limits, end date, status), but you cannot change the coupon code, discount type, or discount value.
Q: What happens if I deactivate a coupon?
A: Deactivated coupons cannot be used for new orders, but any existing validations remain intact. You can reactivate them later if needed.
Technical Questions
Q: Why can't I select free events for coupons?
A: Coupons are only applicable to paid events. Free events don't need discounts since they're already free.
Q: Can attendees use multiple coupons on one order?
A: No, only one coupon can be applied per order. This prevents abuse and maintains simplicity.
Q: What happens if a coupon expires while someone is checking out?
A: The coupon will be validated at the time of application. If it expires during checkout, the user will need to reapply a valid coupon.
Business Questions
Q: How do I know if my coupon campaign is successful?
A: Monitor redemption rates, revenue impact, and attendee feedback. Successful campaigns typically show increased ticket sales and positive ROI.
Q: Should I offer discounts on all my events?
A: Not necessarily. Use discounts strategically for events that need a boost, early bird promotions, or specific marketing campaigns.
Q: How much discount should I offer?
A: Start with 10–15% and adjust based on your margins and audience response. Consider your profitability after platform fees and other costs.
Quick Reference
Coupon Creation Checklist
- [ ] Unique, memorable coupon code
- [ ] Clear, descriptive name
- [ ] Appropriate discount type and value
- [ ] Reasonable usage limits
- [ ] Valid start and end dates
- [ ] Correct event selection
- [ ] Minimum order set
- [ ] Test before promoting
Best Practices Summary
- Start with conservative discounts (10–15%)
- Use clear, descriptive coupon codes
- Set reasonable usage limits
- Monitor performance regularly
- Adjust strategies based on results
- Test before promoting widely
Ready to create your first coupon? Go to your Organizer Dashboard → “Discount Coupons” → Create New Coupon