One of the things that can make a business stand out in its field is the bond it creates with its customers. Customer loyalty and trust are born through good quality service and value for their money. Considering how competitive today’s market has become, every business is on the lookout for a golden rule.
More and more businesses invest time and resources in learning about and implementing loyalty programs, and not without reason. Its different applications can truly help a business reach its full potential. Here are a few ways through which it could also help your dream company come to life.
What Exactly is Proximity Marketing?
Proximity marketing relies on the local market of a business, which can be approached through promotional content. This promotional content can have many different forms, and it always relies on the location of your customers. This means that your services and products will only reach people close to you who are interested in what your business has to offer. In this form of marketing, location-based technologies are being put to use through mobile apps.
This is a great marketing funnel for targeting tech-savvy customers, like students and millennials. Students who think, “I’d appreciate it if someone could write my research paper for me” will seek out trustworthy writing platforms like TrustMyPaper or SupremeDissertations, for example. Beacon-based proximity marketing has become another highly talked-about topic in the field. With the use of a Bluetooth-enabled device, you can send notifications to nearby smartphones whose users fit your clientele.
Whichever form of proximity marketing you choose, doing a lot of research in advance is truly important for it to succeed, including looking at social media analytics. These will allow your loyalty program ideas to become truly successful and fruitful. To help you achieve that, here are some loyalty program ideas for your store.
#1 Collecting Points or Stickers
One of the most traditional yet most effective forms of a loyalty program is a point collection program. Many stores offer these points in the form of stickers which their clients collect on special cards every time they use a service. After collecting a certain amount of points, your client can have access to certain perks.
This is a very inexpensive and fun way to introduce loyalty programs to your salon. You can set a target of points each client needs before they can receive their reward. The most commonly offered reward in most stores is a free or much-discounted service of their choice after collecting at least 5 points.
#2 Different Rewards for Different Tiers
Tier-based loyalty programs are another way of building a good relationship with your clients. Similar to the point-based system, tier programs offer different rewards per point collected. The rewards can vary from discounts to free services and even free products.
Some stores offer a 1+1 option for members to bring a friend along for a free service. This is a great reward to offer as it not only rewards your clients but also encourages someone new to visit your salon. When it comes to tier-based programs, atomizing them through a computer system is a lot easier to track. While stickers can be good when fewer points are involved, tier-based programs can become easy to lose track of.
#3 Fee-Based Programs for Recurring Customers
If you wish to keep your clients satisfied and coming back for a long time, fee-based programs are a great idea to try. The point behind this is to create a sort of subscription system, almost like a gym membership. For example, you can give your client the option to pre-pay all their yearly manicures or wax sessions at a greater discount. These kinds of programs are great for customers who are short on funds but still want to purchase your services once in a while.
You can offer anything from yearly to monthly fees which they can choose from and benefit from discounts and combinations of services. These will be fun for your loyal customers to try, and you will know for sure that your place will always be booked.
#4 Team Up with a Local Charity
Last but not least, another loyalty program you can try at your salon is teaming up with a local charity. While the point-collecting system can remain the same, you can give your clients a different option when it comes to using their points. You can offer them the chance to donate a certain amount of money to a local charity of yours or their liking.
This is a great idea that can not only do a lot of good in your community but also build trust between you and your clients. Instead of taking a free product, you can give them the option to help someone else in need. This is bound to create a good reputation for your salon and motivate more people to choose you from the crowd.
Helping Your Business Grow Through the Right Loyalty Program
Choosing the right loyalty program for your business will only come through trial and error. Based on your location and your target audience, certain things might work better than others. It is important to always listen to what your customers have to say and optimize your actions to their needs.
By doing so, you will keep your clients happy and make them more likely to come back for another service. If they have a freebie or a discounted service to look forward to, you will easily win them over for life.
Also published on Medium.
