Loyalty Marketing and More…

It’s not exactly a Loyalty thing but Upromise’s announcement that members can now earn contributions to their Upromise account by participating in the e-Rewards online market research program should be a win-win-win for everyone. Upromise members have a new way to save that doesn’t involve buying anything. That’s often been a criticism of Upromise that only those who can afford to spend can build up their account to defray educational costs. With this program, the rewards are earned based on the time a member spends answering questions. While this may not appeal to everyone, lots of people like to share their opinions and now they can get rewarded for doing so.

It’s a win for e-Rewards as they can tap into a focused community of members and grow their overall user base. They conduct market research for some of the biggest companies and expanding their membership is a big goal. The fact that the rewards they are providing to Upromise members is college savings or payments to student loans helps diversify their offering as well.

And it’s a win for Upromise as they can increase member savings and their revenue with a unique new partnership. The key is convincing members to join. In my opinion, everyone should give it a try and decide if it’s something that makes sense. I signed up on Sunday when the program launched and am waiting for my first email to take a survey.

Congratulations to Upromise and e-Rewards for the launch of this interesting program.

For those of you who have read more than one post on this Blog already know, I’m a huge Red Sox fan. I’ve written about the Loyalty program the Red Sox have called Red Sox Nation. I’ve cheered on the team as they’ve worked through the playoffs. And now I feel rewarded for my Loyalty. The Red Sox have made it to the World Series. It doesn’t matter how Loyal the Cleveland Indians fans were - they just couldn’t will their way past the Sox.

That’s how Loyalty works in sports. Some people are rewarded and others are disappointed. But in business, even though there is often competition between companies that offer a similar product or service, the customer doesn’t have to be disappointed. You can engender their Loyalty by providing a great product or service at a good price with excellent service. And if you can find ways to recognize and reward your best and most Loyal customers, in the end you’ll all win.

So as you’re watching the upcoming World Series, think about what you can do to make your company a winner and reward everyone that’s been Loyal to you. And Go Sox!!!

It was bound to happen. In fact, it should have happened a while ago. Social Networking has been skyrocketing for the past year or two but few companies have found ways to integrate Social Networking with any type of Loyalty strategy. If you’re trying to figure out how to integrate these two important business concepts, you should attend an upcoming Webinar being hosted by Loyalty Lab.

Facebook: Where Loyalty Marketing gets Social

Seth Goldstein, co-founder of SocialMedia, one of the largest Facebook application networks, will discuss the intersection of loyalty marketing and social media.

Oct. 23, 2007

9:15 am Pacific/12:15 pm Eastern

For more information and to register, click here.

This looks like an interesting presentation that could give you some ideas on how to build a Facebook application of your own. Good luck!

If you’ve found this Blog because you’re searching for resources on launching a new Loyalty program, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve already reviewed a number of resources you can read in past posts that may be helpful. Here’s yet another company that is worth considering as you consider launching your Loyalty program.

IncentiveSelections is a platform developed by Strand Management Solutions. There appear to be a number of programs utilizing the base platform including FitRewards, Bridal Rewards and Royal Rewards. The platform appears to be very much a plug and play model where you can use their back-end technology to power the rewards you want for your employees, members or customers. The best part of what they offer, in my mind, is a ready made catalog of rewards items that includes fulfillment services if you need it.

So if you’re looking for a rewards platform to get started in the world of Loyalty, IncentiveSelections is definitely worth a look. And if you have any suggestions on other platforms or companies worth reviewing, please let us know.

P.S. Congrats to the Red Sox on making it to the ALCS in a clean sweep of the Angels. Good luck against the Indians. Once again, Go Sox!!!

For those of you that know me personally, you know I’m a huge Red Sox fan. And for those of you that don’t, well now you know as well. As a die-hard fan, I am a member of the Red Sox Loyalty program known as Red Sox Nation. The program itself has some benefits such as access to tickets, free MLB Game Day Audio and a few other perks. But it is the unexpected things that truly make this Loyalty program worthwhile. Here’s the copy from an email I received yesterday:

RSN ALDS Ticket Purchase Opportunity

Red Sox Nation Citizens, register now for the opportunity to purchase two Conigliaro’s Corner tickets for the 2007 MLB ALDS game to be played at Fenway Park on Friday, October 5.

For citizens who register by 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, October 4, 2007, a random drawing for the opportunity to purchase 2007 American League Division Series Game 2 tickets will be held. Each applicant selected will be notified on Thursday, October 4, 2007 via the phone number submitted on the registration form.

Tickets for the playoffs are very hard to come by. But just by being a member, I have the chance of being selected to get tickets. They’ve taken something they could sell to anyone and limited it’s availability to a select group of people whose allegiance and loyalty will only grow. I can’t imagine not paying for membership next year just with the off chance that I’ll get access to tickets against the Yankees, special seats or more. It doesn’t cost the Red Sox organization anything extra to provide this special access but it definitely drives Loyalty. Well done Red Sox and good luck in the playoffs. Go Sox!!