Having a rewards program where customers earn points might sound great, but it’s not enough to keep them coming back. Points and rewards are nice, but they don’t really help you build a strong connection with your customers. If you want your business to stand out, you need more than just a rewards program. You need a system that helps you stay connected with your customers and keeps them excited about choosing your business over others.
Points Alone Don’t Build Loyalty
A lot of rewards programs let customers earn points for every purchase. Later, they can use those points to get discounts or free stuff. While this can get people to shop with you more, it doesn’t make them feel a real connection to your business. Customers want to feel special and appreciated, not just like another number in a points program. They aren’t enough incentive on their own to consistently drive repeat visits and higher spending.
- Points Lack Emotional Connection: Points are transactional. Your marketing efforts need to make customers feel valued and recognized to foster deeper engagement.
- Delayed Gratification: Points often require customers to accumulate a significant amount before they can redeem them. This delay in rewards can lead to disinterest or disengagement.
- Competitor Similarity: Points-based loyalty programs are common, making it easy for competitors to offer similar programs. To stand out, businesses need to go beyond points with unique experiences or added-value offers.
- Failure To Reinforce Your Identity: A points system doesn’t emphasize what makes your business unique. Adding experiential rewards, engaging communication or exclusive benefits can reinforce your brand and make it memorable.
- Lack of Communication: If customers aren’t reminded of their points or encouraged to use them, the program loses effectiveness and you are left waiting for them to remember to earn them. Regular, engaging communication is key to keeping the program top-of-mind.
The Key To Knowing Your Best Customers.
To really succeed, you need a thorough list of your customers. This goes beyond just their email address – you need a way to keep track of, and actually KNOW the people who already love your business. These customers already trust you and enjoy what you offer. By using this list, you can send them messages and offers that make them feel special and encourage them to come back again and again.
4 Ways To Keep Your Customers Hooked
The best way to keep your customers engaged is by reaching them on different platforms. Here are some ways to do that:
Email:
Share weekly with exciting news, coupons, or thank-you messages. This is where your personality, identity and culture can be used to your best advantage. Tell stories that tie into your offers, make it personal, funny, nostalgic.
Text Messages:
Send quick updates, reminders, or special offers, and weather or construction updates that impact your business.
Mail:
Send postcards or letters to make your messages feel more personal, you may think it outdated and costly but the redemption rates and ROI are significantly higher than any other marketing you can do. Use it to your advantage.
Social Media:
Post fun updates, contests, or special deals to keep your customers engaged. Create offers to encourage followers (who may have never spent a dime with you) to come in and join your program so you can market to them directly.
Build Strong Relationships
The goal of a great loyalty system is to make customers feel faithful to your business. Points and rewards alone won’t do that. You need to be marketing directly and personally to them. When customers feel a connection to your business, with you, your team, your purpose, your community, they’re more likely to choose you over others. By sending them regular updates and showing them how much you value them, you’ll turn regular customers into loyal fans who keep coming back and spending more.
Let’s Us Help You
If you’re ready to do more than just offer points, we can help! Schedule a meeting with our Program Director to talk about what your business needs. Together, we’ll create an automated marketing plan to make your customers feel special and excited to support you. Let’s build strong relationships that help your business grow!
Your Rewards Program Is Holding You Back.
You’ve got a rewards program in place – customers are earning points, getting discounts, and it seems like things are working okay. But what if we told you there’s a big piece of the puzzle missing? Here’s a little secret: Points and rewards are nice, but they might not be doing what you think they are. In fact, your rewards program is likely holding your business back without you even realizing it.
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How Do You Get Their Attention?
Writing strong headlines and subject lines is one simple way to improve the results of your marketing (especially email).
