
In the past, simply having a customer reward scheme was a novelty. Now that almost every business has one, though, it’s crucial to get creative and think of more innovative strategies for customer loyalty programs.
For businessowners who want to stand out, the time is ripe to innovate. There are plenty of nifty new ways to influence customer loyalty, such as through surprise or limited time rewards.
Surprise Rewards to Keep Customers Guessing
Instead of explicitly telling customers what rewards they’ll be getting, some businesses like to embrace the power of the unknown. The act of covering up a potential prize and letting the customer reveal it themselves can help to build anticipation. This technique is what makes things like scratchcards so popular.
Paddy’s scratchcards, for instance, give players the chance to virtually peel away the top layer to see whether there’s a prize underneath. They come in different themes, with Yahtzee and Deal or No Deal: What’s in Your Box Scratch among the most popular. Players know that they may not win anything, but they still enjoy the process of scratching the surface to see what’s hidden.
Businesses can use this method as well, and some even use their own versions of scratchcards to reward customers. A great example of this is the McDonald’s Monopoly promotion, which allows players to peel off symbols to see what prizes are hidden underneath.
Limited Time Challenges Create a Sense of Urgency
Some of the most successful businesses in the world have found that putting a time limit on their promotions can have a powerful effect. Rather than run an offer indefinitely, they advertise limited-time deals that spark a sense of urgency. Customers want to get involved with these, so they don’t miss out.
One of the best examples of this is Amazon Prime Day, which occurs for two days every year. The event has loads of lightning deals with massive discounts, along with exclusive product launches. It works well because it creates FOMO in customers, leading to impulse purchases and a massive uptick in site activity during that time.
Starbucks is also known for its various limited-time deals, such as Buy One Get One Free offers. The coffee shop also often has extra Stars days, where customers can receive greater rewards on their purchases.
Personalized Rewards Make Customers Feel Special
Thanks to modern technology and the ease it brings to tracking customers’ spending habits, it’s now possible to provide people with personalized promotions. This is an excellent way to encourage loyalty, as it makes people feel noticed and special.
A lot of clothing companies use this technique, with Nike famous for offering exclusive discounts on items that it thinks a customer might want to purchase. Coca-Cola and Apple also offer customers the chance to personalize their experience by putting their names on products.
It's clear that there are countless new ways emerging for businesses to connect with customers and provide them with engaging deals. Businessowners need to keep innovating with their offers to stay ahead of the competition.