Dadvice Weekly #41 / Welcome Offers
Dadvice Weekly - #41
Something I’ve learned in my career is how real the sales funnel actually is.
At all times there are layers of awareness and intent:
People who have no idea who you are,
People who know you exist but aren’t customers
People who are customers but only lightly engaged
People in the small group that is fully bought into a brand or company.
There’s more nuance to it than that, but that framing works. Companies are obsessed with moving you down that funnel and they do it in a few predictable ways.
The first is simple: awareness. Big spending on brand visibility so you recognize them before you ever need them. Think NFL sponsorships like Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce showing up in State Farm ads, or podcast ad reads for things like Rhoback or BetterHelp. The goal isn’t immediate action, it’s familiarity. So when the moment comes they’re already in your head.
The second is the “bridge” into becoming a customer. This is where lead magnets show up in full force. Discounts, promo codes, free trials, welcome offers. Something that lowers the barrier just enough to get you to say yes for the first time. Because once you’re in, even lightly, the relationship changes.
From there, the funnel gets more interesting. Rewards programs, loyalty tiers, email lists, cross-sell campaigns. Not all of it is aggressive, but all of it is intentional. The goal is always the same: increase depth of engagement over time.
And once you start paying attention, you realize something else: if you’re looking for a deal, you will usually find one. There is almost always a discount floating around. But that discount is rarely just generosity. It’s an entry point into a system designed to keep you engaged, re-engaged, and retargeted over time.
As a consumer, this part has become fun for me. I love a good welcome offer. I love trying something new with a discount attached. I love when a brand I already like gives me a reason to try more of what they do. Done well, it feels like a win-win. You get to explore something new at lower risk, and the company gets a real shot at earning your attention.
That’s the key distinction: when it’s done well, it feels like discovery, not pressure.
With that in mind, here are some of the best welcome offers we’ve come across recently, and our honest take on them. -SW
Fabletics
During Black Friday of 2024 Fabletics hit me with an Instagram ad saying 80% off 8 items. I had known what Fabletics was, but had never bought any items from them. I felt like for 80% off it was worth a shot. I read the fine print, it felt legit, and all I had to do was cancel in the first few days of January and I was in the clear.
I can’t remember the full haul but I got several pairs of pants for golf/work and some work out clothes. I ended up canceling right when I was supposed to (more on that in a future issue), and it was overall a win-win. If anyone cares, I like my Lululemon pants more but if I ever see this deal or a similar deal ran by Fabletics again I’ll probably go for it. -SW
Costco
There’s always a deal for a new Costco membership. Over the years I have seen just a straight cheaper membership rate or a membership that comes with a gift card to offset the fee. Just googling it right now, here’s a Groupon for 1 year membership + $45 digital card. -SW
Meal Kit Services
Hello Fresh and Blue Apron always have 50% for new customers going. During the pandemic we tried Blue Apron and it was solid. We haven’t continued on with it, but it was a service I was genuinely interested in. I feel like its something to try if you haven’t tried it before (even if its only for the trial period). -SW
Texas Roadhouse (Free Ribs!)
A lot of places love pulling out the extra stops for first time guests, to give them a well-rounded experience and to try the things that will keep you coming back. Texas Roadhouse is one of them—first time guests are supposed to receive a small “sidekick” of ribs with their order (subject to availability). It varies from location to location. Also sign up for their VIP Club and you’ll get a free appetizer coupon within a day or two, just for joining. Then on your birthday, they’ll send you a coupon for a free appetizer or a sidekick of ribs. –KC
Free Optomap at Your Eye Doctor
I went to a new eye doctor yesterday. When I checked in, they asked if I wanted to dialate my eyes or pay $40 for an Optomap, which is basically a quick retinal scan with no drops, no blurry vision for the rest of the day. I said no thanks, I’ll just do whatever insurance covers. When they brought me back, the tech mentioned it was free for new patients. Turns out it’s pretty common practice — eye doctors want a baseline scan of your retinas on file, so a lot of them will just do it at no charge the first time if you ask. Skipped the dilation, got the scan, saved $40. It’s worth asking about at your next new-patient appointment. –KC
Dadvice Weekly is Kyle and Skyler—two friends in their thirties, living in Colorado, settling into fatherhood and trying to stay sane. Every Tuesday we share what’s working in our homes: gear we use, routines we’ve tested, ideas we’re trying. It could be a recipe, a product that solved a problem, or just what we’re thinking about as dads.
If you have a tip, tried something we mentioned, or just want to say hi, reply to this email or message us on Substack. We read everything, and we’re always looking for what works. Glad you’re here.