Creating Promotions
Master the art of creating effective promotions for your cannabis brand, including discounts, BOGO deals, tiered promotions, and more.
Table of Contents
- Promotion Types
- Creating Basic Discounts
- Advanced Promotion Types
- Common Flags & Restrictions
- Marketplace Promotions
- Organization-Level Promotions
- Use Cases & Examples
- Best Practices
Promotion Types
The Batch platform supports multiple promotion types:
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage Discount | % off products | 20% off all Flower |
| Fixed Amount Discount | $ off products | $10 off orders over $50 |
| BOGO | Buy One Get One | Buy 2 Get 1 Free |
| Tiered Discount | Discount based on quantity/amount | Buy 3+ items, get 15% off |
| Bundle Deal | Discount on product combinations | Flower + Pre-roll combo $60 |
| Free Shipping | Waive delivery fees | Free shipping over $75 |
| Gift with Purchase | Free item with order | Free lighter with any purchase |
| Loyalty Points Multiplier | Bonus points on purchases | Double points this weekend |
| First-Time Customer | New customer discount | 25% off first order |
| Referral Bonus | Reward for referrals | $20 off when friend orders |
Creating Basic Discounts
Percentage Discount
Navigate to: Admin Portal > Marketing > Promotions > Create Promotion
Example: "20% off all Flower products"
Step 1: Basic Information
Promotion Name: Spring Flower Sale
Promotion Code: SPRING20 (optional - if empty, auto-applies)
Promotion Type: Percentage Discount
Status: Active
Step 2: Discount Configuration
Discount Value: 20%
Apply To: Specific Categories
Selected Categories: Flower
Step 3: Eligibility & Restrictions
Minimum Purchase: $0 (no minimum)
Maximum Discount: Unlimited
Usage Limit per Customer: Unlimited
Total Usage Limit: 1,000 redemptions
Customer Eligibility: All Customers
Step 4: Schedule
Start Date: 2024-03-01 00:00
End Date: 2024-03-31 23:59
Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
Step 5: Display Settings
Show on Storefront: Yes
Banner Text: "🌸 Spring Sale: 20% off all Flower!"
Banner Color: #10B981 (green)
Show Badge on Products: Yes
Badge Text: "20% OFF"
Fixed Amount Discount
Example: "$10 off orders over $50"
Promotion Name: $10 Off Your Order
Promotion Code: SAVE10
Promotion Type: Fixed Amount Discount
Discount Value: $10.00
Apply To: Cart Total
Minimum Purchase: $50.00
Maximum Discount: $10.00 (per order)
Usage Limit per Customer: 1
Total Usage Limit: 500
When to Use:
- ✅ Encouraging larger cart sizes
- ✅ Welcome offers for new customers
- ✅ Clearing specific dollar thresholds
Advanced Promotion Types
BOGO (Buy One Get One)
Example: "Buy 2 Pre-Rolls, Get 1 Free"
Navigate to: Admin Portal > Marketing > Promotions > Create Promotion
Promotion Name: Pre-Roll BOGO
Promotion Type: BOGO
Status: Active
BOGO Configuration:
├── Buy Quantity: 2
├── Get Quantity: 1
├── Get Discount: 100% (free)
├── Apply To: Category "Pre-Rolls"
└── Mix & Match: Yes (can be different products)
Restrictions:
├── Minimum Purchase: $0
├── Maximum Applications: 3 (buy 6, get 3 free max)
└── Stack with Other Promotions: No
Schedule:
├── Start: 2024-04-20 00:00 (4/20 promotion!)
└── End: 2024-04-20 23:59
BOGO Variations:
Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off:
Buy Quantity: 1
Get Quantity: 1
Get Discount: 50%
Buy 3 Get 1 Free:
Buy Quantity: 3
Get Quantity: 1
Get Discount: 100%
Buy 2 Get 1 at 25% Off:
Buy Quantity: 2
Get Quantity: 1
Get Discount: 25%
Tiered Discounts
Example: "Buy more, save more"
Promotion Name: Volume Discount
Promotion Type: Tiered Discount
Tier Configuration:
├── Tier 1: Buy 1-2 items → 0% off
├── Tier 2: Buy 3-5 items → 10% off
├── Tier 3: Buy 6-9 items → 15% off
└── Tier 4: Buy 10+ items → 20% off
Apply To: Entire Catalog
Tier Calculation: By Quantity (alternative: By Dollar Amount)
Dollar Amount Tiers:
├── Tier 1: $0-$49 → 0% off
├── Tier 2: $50-$99 → 5% off
├── Tier 3: $100-$199 → 10% off
└── Tier 4: $200+ → 15% off
Bundle Deals
Example: "Starter Pack - Save $30"
Promotion Name: Cannabis Starter Pack
Promotion Type: Bundle Deal
Bundle Configuration:
├── Item 1: Any Flower (3.5g) - Required
├── Item 2: Any Pre-Roll (2-pack) - Required
├── Item 3: Any Edible (10-pack) - Required
└── Bundle Price: $89.99 (normally $120)
Individual Pricing:
├── Flower: $45
├── Pre-Roll: $30
├── Edible: $45
└── Total Savings: $30.01
Bundle Options:
├── Fixed Products: No (customer chooses)
├── Product Substitution: Allowed within category
└── Quantity Limits: 1 bundle per order
Free Shipping
Example: "Free delivery on orders $75+"
Promotion Name: Free Shipping Threshold
Promotion Type: Free Shipping
Configuration:
├── Minimum Purchase: $75.00
├── Apply To: All shipping methods
├── Excluded Locations: None
├── Maximum Shipping Credit: Unlimited
└── Show Countdown: Yes ("Add $15 more for free shipping")
Display:
├── Cart Message: "You qualify for free shipping! 🚚"
├── Progress Bar: Show until threshold reached
└── Urgency Message: "$12.50 away from free shipping"
Gift with Purchase
Example: "Free grinder with any $100+ order"
Promotion Name: Free Grinder Promo
Promotion Type: Gift with Purchase
Gift Configuration:
├── Free Item: Herb Grinder (SKU: ACC-GRIND-001)
├── Item Value: $15.00
├── Minimum Purchase: $100.00
├── Quantity: 1 per order
└── Auto-Add to Cart: Yes
Stock Management:
├── Reserved Stock for Promo: 500 units
├── When Stock Depleted: Hide promotion
└── Fallback Gift: Rolling papers (if grinder unavailable)
Loyalty Points Multiplier
Example: "Double Points Weekend"
Promotion Name: Double Points Weekend
Promotion Type: Points Multiplier
Configuration:
├── Multiplier: 2x (double points)
├── Apply To: All purchases
├── Base Points: $1 spent = 1 point normally
├── Promo Points: $1 spent = 2 points during promo
└── Bonus Points Cap: Unlimited
Schedule:
├── Start: Friday 00:00
└── End: Sunday 23:59
Stacking:
└── Can Stack: Yes (with category-specific multipliers)
Common Flags & Restrictions
Promotion Flags
Flags control promotion behavior:
1. Auto-Apply
Auto-Apply: Yes
Behavior: Automatically applies to eligible orders (no code needed)
Use Case: Storewide sales, free shipping thresholds
Auto-Apply: No
Behavior: Customer must enter promo code
Use Case: Targeted campaigns, referral codes, influencer partnerships
2. Stackable
Stackable: Yes
Behavior: Can combine with other promotions
Example: 20% category sale + $10 off coupon = both apply
Stackable: No
Behavior: Only one promotion applies (best discount chosen)
Example: Customer has 20% and 25% codes, 25% is used
3. Visible
Visible: Yes
Behavior: Shows in promotion list, storefront banners
Use Case: Public sales you want to advertise
Visible: No
Behavior: Hidden from public, works when code entered
Use Case: Secret sales, influencer codes, VIP offers
4. Exclusive
Exclusive: Yes
Behavior: Prevents all other promotions when applied
Use Case: "Cannot be combined with other offers"
Exclusive: No
Behavior: Can work with non-exclusive promotions
Use Case: Most standard promotions
5. Requires Authentication
Requires Authentication: Yes
Behavior: Customer must be logged in
Use Case: Loyalty member exclusives, personalized offers
Requires Authentication: No
Behavior: Works for guest checkout
Use Case: First-time visitor offers, general sales
Restrictions
Control who can use promotions and when:
Customer Restrictions
New Customers Only:
Customer Eligibility: New Customers
Definition: No previous orders
Use Case: Acquisition campaigns
Example: "NEWCUSTOMER25" - 25% off first order
Existing Customers Only:
Customer Eligibility: Returning Customers
Definition: At least 1 previous order
Use Case: Retention campaigns
Example: "WELCOME-BACK15" - 15% off return purchase
Loyalty Tier Restricted:
Customer Eligibility: Specific Loyalty Tiers
Allowed Tiers: Gold, Platinum
Use Case: VIP rewards
Example: "VIP20" - 20% off for top-tier members
Email Domain Restricted:
Email Domain Whitelist: @company.com, @partner.org
Use Case: B2B discounts, employee benefits
Example: "EMPLOYEE50" - 50% off for staff
Customer Segment:
Segment: High-Value Customers
Definition: Lifetime spend > $1,000
Use Case: Rewarding best customers
Example: "THANKYOU10" - $10 off for loyal customers
Product Restrictions
Exclude Sale Items:
Excluded Products: Items already on sale
Reason: Prevent double-discounting
Flag: exclude_sale_items = true
Specific Products Only:
Included Products:
├── Purple Haze - 3.5g
├── Blue Dream - 3.5g
└── Girl Scout Cookies - 3.5g
Use Case: Promoting specific strains
Category Exclusions:
Included Categories: All except "Accessories"
Reason: Accessories already low-margin
Usage Restrictions
Per-Customer Limits:
Usage Limit per Customer: 1
Behavior: Can only use code once
Use Case: First-time offers, prevent abuse
Usage Limit per Customer: 3
Behavior: Can use up to 3 times
Use Case: Monthly recurring offers
Total Usage Limit:
Total Usage Limit: 1,000
Behavior: After 1,000 redemptions, code deactivates
Use Case: Limited-time flash sales, budget control
Minimum Purchase:
Minimum Purchase Amount: $50
Minimum Quantity: 3 items
Behavior: Order must meet threshold to qualify
Use Case: Encouraging larger cart sizes
Maximum Discount:
Maximum Discount: $25
Behavior: Even if % discount would be higher, caps at $25
Use Case: Protecting margins on high-value orders
Time Restrictions
Date Range:
Start Date: 2024-04-20 00:00
End Date: 2024-04-20 23:59
Use Case: One-day sale (4/20 promo)
Recurring Schedule:
Recurrence: Every Friday-Sunday
Time: 00:00 - 23:59
Use Case: Weekend specials
Hour Restrictions:
Active Hours: 4:20 PM - 11:59 PM daily
Use Case: Happy hour promotions
Marketplace Promotions
For multi-brand marketplaces where multiple brands sell through one platform.
Brand-Specific Promotions
Example: Brand "Craft Cannabis Co." runs their own sale
Promotion Name: Craft Cannabis 30% Off
Promotion Scope: Brand Level
Brand: Craft Cannabis Co.
Configuration:
├── Discount: 30% off
├── Apply To: All products from Craft Cannabis Co.
├── Funded By: Craft Cannabis Co. (brand absorbs discount)
└── Visible: Only on Craft Cannabis brand page
Marketplace Settings:
├── Commission Calculation: After discount
├── Brand Pays Commission On: Discounted price
└── Example: $100 product → $70 after 30% off
→ Brand receives: $70 - (20% commission) = $56
Marketplace-Wide Promotions
Example: Platform runs site-wide sale
Promotion Name: Marketplace Black Friday
Promotion Scope: Marketplace Level
Applies To: All brands
Configuration:
├── Discount: 20% off sitewide
├── Funded By: Marketplace (platform absorbs discount)
├── Brand Payout: Full price - commission
└── Example: $100 product → $80 customer pays
→ Customer saves: $20
→ Brand receives: $100 - (20% commission) = $80
→ Marketplace loses: $20 discount
Co-Funded Promotions
Example: Brand and marketplace split discount
Promotion Name: Featured Brand Week
Promotion Scope: Hybrid
Configuration:
├── Discount: 25% off
├── Brand Contribution: 15%
├── Marketplace Contribution: 10%
└── Example: $100 product → $75 customer pays
→ Brand reduces price: $100 - $15 = $85
→ Marketplace discounts: $85 - $10 = $75
→ Customer pays: $75
→ Brand receives: $85 - (20% commission on $75) = $70
Marketplace Best Practices
For Marketplace Operators:
- ✅ Clearly define who funds each promotion type
- ✅ Set guidelines for brand promotions (min/max discounts)
- ✅ Prevent discount stacking abuse (brand + marketplace)
- ✅ Monitor promotion performance by brand
- ✅ Offer co-marketing for major sales
For Brands on Marketplace:
- ✅ Coordinate with marketplace on major sales dates
- ✅ Use brand promotions strategically (not constantly)
- ✅ Test different discount levels and durations
- ✅ Track ROI (sales increase vs. margin decrease)
Organization-Level Promotions
For multi-location businesses (hub/dispensary networks).
Organization-Wide Promotion
Example: "All locations - 15% off Flower"
Promotion Name: Network-Wide Flower Sale
Promotion Scope: Organization
Locations: All hubs/dispensaries
Configuration:
├── Discount: 15% off
├── Category: Flower
├── Applies To: All 12 locations
└── Budget: Shared across locations ($10,000 total)
Reporting:
├── Location A: 150 redemptions, $2,100 discount
├── Location B: 200 redemptions, $2,800 discount
├── Location C: 175 redemptions, $2,450 discount
└── Total: 525 redemptions, $7,350 discounted
Location-Specific Promotion
Example: "Downtown location only - Grand Opening"
Promotion Name: Downtown Grand Opening
Promotion Scope: Single Location
Location: Downtown Hub
Configuration:
├── Discount: 25% off entire purchase
├── Usage Limit: 500 customers
├── Duration: First 2 weeks
└── Delivery Restriction: Must select Downtown Hub for fulfillment
Geo-Fencing:
└── Show only to customers within 5 miles of Downtown Hub
Regional Promotions
Example: "SoCal locations - Summer Sale"
Promotion Name: SoCal Summer Sale
Promotion Scope: Regional
Locations:
├── Los Angeles Hub
├── San Diego Hub
├── Orange County Hub
└── Long Beach Hub
Configuration:
├── Discount: 20% off
├── Shared Budget: $15,000
├── Location Limits: Each location max $4,000 in discounts
└── Duration: June 1-30
Inventory Clearing Promotion
Example: "Clear overstock at specific location"
Promotion Name: Westside Overstock Sale
Promotion Scope: Location + Product
Location: Westside Hub
Products: Specific SKUs with high inventory
Configuration:
├── Discount: 40% off
├── Products: 15 SKUs with >50 units in stock
├── Goal: Reduce inventory by 50%
├── Duration: Until stock reaches target level
└── Auto-Deactivate: When inventory < 25 units per SKU
Use Cases & Examples
Use Case 1: New Customer Acquisition
Goal: Attract first-time buyers
Promotion Strategy:
Promotion: FIRST25
Type: Percentage Discount
Discount: 25% off
Eligibility: New customers only (0 previous orders)
Minimum Purchase: $40
Maximum Discount: $25
Usage Limit: 1 per customer
Marketing:
├── Landing Page: "Welcome! 25% off your first order"
├── Email: Sent after email signup
├── Social Ads: Target cold audiences
└── Referral: Sent by existing customers to friends
Expected Results:
- Conversion rate: 8-12%
- Average order value: $65
- Cost per acquisition: $16 ($25 max discount × 65% redemption)
Use Case 2: Cart Abandonment Recovery
Goal: Recover lost sales
Promotion Strategy:
Promotion: COMPLETE10
Type: Fixed Amount Discount
Discount: $10 off
Eligibility: Customers who abandoned cart 24 hours ago
Minimum Purchase: Cart total at abandonment
Expiration: 48 hours from email send
Automation:
├── Trigger: Cart abandoned for 24 hours
├── Email: "You left something behind! Here's $10 off"
├── Code: COMPLETE10 (unique per customer)
└── Reminder: Second email at 40 hours if still not completed
Expected Results:
- Recovery rate: 15-20%
- ROI: 3-5x (revenue recovered vs. discount given)
Use Case 3: Loyalty Tier Upgrade Incentive
Goal: Encourage customers to reach next tier
Promotion Strategy:
Promotion: Tier Upgrade Bonus
Type: Points Multiplier + Discount
Eligibility: Customers within $50 of next tier
Configuration:
├── Triple Points: On all purchases until tier reached
├── Plus $10 Off: When tier is achieved
├── Notification: "You're $37 away from Gold tier!"
└── Benefit Preview: "Gold members get 10% off always + perks"
Gamification:
├── Progress Bar: Visual progress to next tier
├── Push Notifications: "Only $20 away from Gold!"
└── Email Series: Benefits of higher tiers
Expected Results:
- Tier upgrade rate: 30-40% of eligible customers
- Increased purchase frequency: 25%
- Long-term retention: 15% higher
Use Case 4: Flash Sale Urgency
Goal: Drive immediate purchases
Promotion Strategy:
Promotion: 4:20 Flash Sale
Type: Percentage Discount
Discount: 42% off
Duration: 4:20 PM - 11:59 PM on 4/20
Urgency: Countdown timer
Marketing:
├── Push Notification: Sent at 4:15 PM
├── Email Blast: Sent at 4:20 PM
├── Homepage Takeover: Countdown + Sale banner
├── Social Posts: "4 hours only! 42% off!"
└── SMS: To high-value customers
Scarcity:
├── Limited Inventory: Only current stock included
├── Max 2 per customer: Prevents hoarding
└── Countdown Timer: Creates FOMO
Expected Results:
- Traffic spike: 10x normal
- Conversion rate: 25% (vs. 5% normal)
- Average order value: $120
Use Case 5: Seasonal Product Promotion
Goal: Move seasonal inventory
Promotion Strategy:
Promotion: Summer Vibes Bundle
Type: Bundle Deal
Products:
├── Sativa Flower (3.5g)
├── Tropical Fruit Gummies
├── Citrus Pre-Roll 2-Pack
└── Branded Sunglasses
Pricing:
├── Individual Total: $95
├── Bundle Price: $69
├── Savings: $26 (27%)
Season:
├── Start: June 1 (start of summer)
├── End: August 31 (end of summer)
├── Inventory Goal: Sell 500 bundles
└── Marketing Theme: "Summer vibes only ☀️"
Expected Results:
- Seasonal inventory cleared: 80%
- New customer acquisition: 20% (bundles attract new buyers)
- Instagram-worthy: High social sharing
Use Case 6: Referral Program
Goal: Customer-driven acquisition
Promotion Strategy:
Promotion: Refer & Earn
Type: Dual Discount
For Referrer: $20 credit after friend's first order
For Referee: 20% off first order
Mechanics:
├── Unique Code: Each customer gets personal code (e.g., JOHN-20)
├── Friend Uses Code: Gets 20% off first order
├── Referrer Rewarded: Gets $20 credit after completion
└── Unlimited Referrals: No cap on how many friends
Gamification:
├── Leaderboard: Top referrers each month
├── Bonus Tier: Refer 10+ get Gold status
└── Social Sharing: One-click share to Instagram/Facebook
Expected Results:
- Viral coefficient: 0.3-0.5 (each customer brings 0.3 new customers)
- Customer acquisition cost: $10 (vs. $30 via ads)
- Referrer retention: 40% higher
Best Practices
1. Promotion Planning
Create a Promotion Calendar:
January: New Year Sale (20% off)
February: Valentine's Bundle (couple's pack)
March: Spring Clearance (40% off winter stock)
April: 4/20 Mega Sale (various deals)
May: Mother's Day Gift Sets
June: Summer Launch (new strains)
July: Mid-Year Clearance
August: Back to School (edibles focus)
September: Labor Day Weekend
October: Halloween Bundles
November: Black Friday / Cyber Monday
December: Holiday Gift Guide
Avoid Promotion Fatigue:
- ❌ Don't run constant site-wide sales
- ✅ Rotate categories/products
- ✅ Use scarcity (limited time/quantity)
- ✅ Mix promotion types (discount, BOGO, gifts)
2. Pricing Strategy
Protect Margins:
Know Your Numbers:
Cost: $25
Retail: $50
Margin: $25 (50%)
Max Safe Discount: 30% ($15 off)
After Discount: $35
Remaining Margin: $10 (20%)
⚠️ Warning Zone: 40%+ discount
Critical: 50%+ discount (break-even)
Psychological Pricing:
✅ Good: $49.99 (feels like $40s)
❌ Bad: $50.00 (feels like $50s)
✅ Good: "Save $30!" (emphasize savings)
❌ Bad: "25% off" (less impactful)
✅ Good: "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" (feels generous)
❌ Bad: "33% off when you buy 3" (confusing)
3. Promotion Messaging
Clear Call-to-Action:
✅ Good: "Shop Now - 20% Off Ends Tonight!"
❌ Bad: "Sale happening"
✅ Good: "Add 3 to cart for automatic discount"
❌ Bad: "Discount applies at checkout"
Urgency & Scarcity:
Time-Based:
├── "Only 4 hours left!"
├── "Sale ends midnight tonight"
└── "Last chance - expires in 2h 15m"
Quantity-Based:
├── "Only 47 left in stock"
├── "Limited to first 100 customers"
└── "12 people viewing this right now"
4. Testing & Optimization
A/B Test Promotions:
Test A: 20% off
Test B: $10 off $50+
Measure:
├── Conversion Rate
├── Average Order Value
├── Revenue per Visitor
├── Profit Margin
└── Customer Acquisition Cost
Winner: Highest profit per customer
Track KPIs:
Promotion Performance:
├── Redemption Rate: 15% of eligible customers
├── Revenue Impact: +$12,500
├── Margin Impact: -$3,200 (discount cost)
├── Net Profit: +$9,300
├── New Customers: 87
└── CAC: $36.78 per new customer
5. Legal & Compliance
Cannabis-Specific Considerations:
- ✅ Verify age gate before showing promotions
- ✅ Follow state advertising regulations
- ✅ Don't advertise to minors
- ✅ Include disclaimer: "Must be 21+"
- ✅ Avoid health claims in promotion copy
Terms & Conditions:
Include:
├── Expiration date
├── Usage limits
├── Excluded products
├── Cannot be combined with...
├── Subject to availability
└── Company reserves right to modify/cancel
Troubleshooting
Issue: Promotion Not Applying at Checkout
Check:
- Code entered correctly (case-sensitive)
- Promotion is active and within date range
- Customer meets eligibility requirements
- Cart meets minimum purchase requirement
- Products in cart are eligible (not excluded)
- Usage limit not exceeded
- No conflicting exclusive promotion active
Issue: Multiple Promotions Conflicting
Solution:
- Set priority order: Admin > Promotions > Priority Settings
- Configure stacking rules clearly
- Use exclusive flag for non-stackable offers
- Show customer which promotion is applied and why
Issue: Promotion Budget Exceeded
Solution:
- Set total usage limit
- Monitor budget in real-time dashboard
- Set up alerts at 75% budget spend
- Auto-deactivate when budget reached