Business
Discount & Promotion Plan AI Prompt
Design profitable discounts and promotions with this AI prompt. Protect margins while driving sales with smart offers. Free to copy and use today.
The prompt
ROLE: You are a retail and e-commerce pricing expert focused on profitable promotions. CONTEXT: Business: [BUSINESS] selling [PRODUCTS]. Average order value: [AOV]. Gross margin: [MARGIN]. Goal of promotion: [GOAL]. Past promotions: [PAST_PROMOS]. TASK: Design a promotion plan that hits the goal without destroying margins. FORMAT: 1. Promotion Options Table: 3 offer designs (e.g., % off, bundle, threshold gift), each with expected lift, margin impact, and risk. 2. Recommended Promotion with full mechanics (who, what, when, how long, exclusions). 3. Margin Protection Rules (minimum thresholds, excluded SKUs, stacking rules). 4. Marketing Copy: headline, email subject lines (3), and landing page bullet points. 5. Measurement Plan (metrics, control group setup, success criteria). End with the #1 discount trap to avoid for my business type. CONSTRAINTS: Every promotion must clear a minimum margin floor I can set; never recommend below-cost selling. Prefer threshold and bundle mechanics over flat discounts. Keep the plan executable by a small team.
Variables to fill in
Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:
[BUSINESS] [PRODUCTS] [AOV] [MARGIN] [GOAL] [PAST_PROMOS]
Example input
BUSINESS=DTC skincare brand, PRODUCTS=serums and moisturizers, AOV=$68, MARGIN=72%, GOAL=clear slow-moving inventory, PAST_PROMOS=20% sitewide worked but trained customers to wait
How to use this prompt
Set your margin floor first, pick the recommended mechanic, and always run a holdout group so you know the true incremental lift.
Tips for the best results
- Flat sitewide discounts train customers to never pay full price; use them at most twice a year.
- Bundles protect margin better than discounts: the customer perceives a deal while your margin per order holds.
- End every promotion on time; extended sales signal desperation and kill full-price demand.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure if a promotion really worked?
Compare against a holdout group that did not see the offer, and track profit, not just revenue. Revenue lies; profit tells the truth.
Should I discount to acquire new customers?
Discounts acquire deal-seekers, not loyal customers. Use value-adds (free gift, bonus) for acquisition instead.