If you are talking about using a company like Groupon as a consultant I always caution my clients that if they are considering this they need to have in place a method to capture all of the coupon visitors information for future follow ups, one of the biggest problems with Daily Deal Sites is they control the subscriber list and businesses usually incur a loss when offering a coupon deal and they need to turn coupon customers into future customers to see a profit!

Good point, what we have found is that most of the clients who purchase daily deals
are just coupon patrons and move on to the next coupon provider and never become a regular at any restaurant, except fast food restaurants, that is why I try to discourage my clients from signing on to these Deals Sites, now running there own Daily Deal Site is another subject, these can be very powerful!

Hi  Rick    @rlmosca 

There are many pro’s and con’s we can discuss about the Daily Deal industry, each one having it’s own merit. 

Rick you are absolutely right about a small business being prepared to capture data and to socially capitalize on it. Small businesses need to look at how the daily deal sites work.  They now can run their own deals, discounts, loyalty programs etc.. etc..

With millions of people searching and expecting discounts, this will become the norm in 2012. Whether it’s a coupon, deal or code, consumers buying habits are changing.

Social media will play a big part in 2012. Consumers will be happy will smaller discounts, as long as the experience is worth sharing. The Daily Deal industry has done a good job at letting the user experience the joy of trying many businesses that they would not have tried.

I did a lot of deals in 2011. I think for 2012 I want to push the true value of my products so I don’t plan to offer as many deals as I did in 2011. I want my customers to understand why my prices are the way they are . I think offering too many deals and sales diminishes the value of your product or service. That rings especially true for me because my products are handmade.

Hi Shantel @shantelturner-collins

Shantel, I agree with you!  If you ran lot’s of deals you should have a good understanding of how they work.  Now you are in a position to pick and choose a business model that will work that for you. There will be a surge in joint-ventures for small businesses in the future.

One of the main reasons for M&A’s in the Daily Deal industry is because many of the smaller sites are tired of the 16 hour days. Social media forums like this will help unite many businesses. 

Hi Shantel @shantelturner-collins 

Do you mind sharing your criteria on how you picked the partners you are working with. Are you going to incorporate any type of coupon/deal based on your terms?

@Shantelturner-collins,  Thanks for sharing, I always like hear how people get together and the story behind it.

Unless your highly efficient, I would guess there would be at least 20 minutes lost production every time you put on a new hat.  One of my goals this year is to work in 90 minute blocks.

All 3 of you should be able to save a lot of time. Good Luck in the new Year!