From the Beyhive and Swifties to Trekkies and Thronies, the world is full of fandoms, a.k.a. super fans singing the praises of their favorite things to anyone who will listen. This kind of utter devotion paired with the cheers (tweets and ‘grams) of adoring fans constantly clamoring for more is the stuff of any marketer’s dreams. But if you’re not Beyonce, can you really dare to set your sights that high?
You may never sell out stadiums or massive conventions, but with the right loyalty program strategies in place, you can build a fanbase that’s just as enthusiastic. A personalized, engaging, and truly rewarding program gives your audience what they really want. In return, you will create a community of super fans for life.
Put in the miles
Step one: It’s time to move away from the points-for-purchases model so many loyalty programs rely on. If you want to inspire loyalty that goes above and beyond purchases, you need to go the extra mile and create experiences that do more than just keep customers around.
That’s exactly what running retailer Fleet Feet did with the introduction of its new app and revamped loyalty program, which takes loyalty to the streets (and sidewalks, trails, and running paths) by incentivizing running. An integration with Garmin and Strava allows members to earn points (appropriately dubbed Miles) for the very literal miles they log, and it doesn’t stop there.
Miles are also earned by interacting with Fleet Feet on social media, through community engagement (e.g. caption contests, surveys, trivia), and more. Miles can be redeemed for running trips, race entries, apparel, and gear, amongst other things. By creating a loyalty program that fully embraces why Fleet Feet fans love the brand in the first place — running — the company has built a solid foundation for long-term loyalty that goes well beyond transactions.
Show some love
At the end of the day, the goal of any loyalty program is to motivate customers to spend more. So, although no loyalty program should live on points-for-purchases alone, there’s still a place for it within your loyalty solution — but it must have some pizzazz. Spicing things up with surprises and gifts for your loyalty members keeps them engaged and enticed to share their love with others.
When it introduced its Pizza Love Rewards program late last year, Donatos Pizza already had a captive audience of pizza lovers in its Ohio and Indiana markets. So imagine their absolute elation when the pizza chain announced it would be making it easier to earn free pizza. The program not only gives members points for spending (five for every dollar spent), every 10th large pizza is free, and birthdays are celebrated with a free 12-inch pizza.
Points can also be earned by completing surveys and through referrals (i.e. your biggest fans sharing their love with others). When you give your loyalty members the opportunity to help you while also helping themselves, you achieve the ultimate win-win.
Keep it real
When it comes to building lasting relationships with your customers, the power of authenticity can not be overstated. But what’s the key to achieving that level of “realness?” Open dialogue that goes both ways. If you’re just throwing communications at your loyalty members without giving them the opportunity to return the favor, you’re doing it wrong. (And no, a “contact us” option is not the answer.)
An example of open communication in a loyalty program is getting members to share stories or experiences with your brand. Rewarding members with points for sharing stories can encourage them to really open up. If your brand is well-loved, take advantage of the opportunity your fans offer. By giving them a place to connect, you can create more than just a transaction, but a sense of community amongst fans.
Complete and utter devotion may seem like a big ask for a loyalty program, but these brands have proven it’s possible with the right strategies and tactics. Wondering how you can get your fan base just as fired up? Contact us today to get started.
