What are the most effective ways to reward brand advocates?
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— The LinkedIn Team
Brand advocates are your most loyal and enthusiastic customers who spread positive word-of-mouth, generate referrals, and create user-generated content for your brand. They can help you increase your brand awareness, trust, and retention. But how do you reward them for their valuable contributions? Here are some of the most effective ways to reward brand advocates.
One way to reward brand advocates is to offer them exclusive benefits that make them feel special and appreciated. For example, you can give them access to early product releases, discounts, free samples, or VIP events. You can also create a loyalty program that rewards them with points, badges, or levels that they can redeem for rewards or privileges. These benefits can motivate your brand advocates to continue supporting and promoting your brand.
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Lakshya Dave
Digital Marketing & Social Media 🧙 | Renewable Technology | Fintech
The best way to reward brand advocates is by sending them merchandise and allowing them to test out new products lines first. Unlike paid collaborations, this advocacy is most fruitful as it is purely organic, and doesn't reek of an ad. For gaming and tech companies, you can allow your brand advocates to have a pre-test environment where they get to try out your new products first. This works wonders, as brand advocates act as free testers and create hype for the actual market launch.
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Samuel Sewodo
Building impactful and memorable brands on LinkedIn and beyond | Brand Strategist, Creative & Founder at WireBrand™
I remember 3 years ago in India when a brand I loved surprised me with a handwritten 'thank you' note and a free product. It made me feel truly appreciated. Small gestures like that can turn customers into lifelong advocates. Let's not overcomplicate things.
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Edem lakpleku
Digital Marketer || Social Media Manager || Corporate Photographer
Offering exclusive packages to brand advocates can make them feel valued, appreciated, and connected to the company. This can create a sense of loyalty and trust, and may even lead to increased word-of-mouth marketing.
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Another way to reward brand advocates is to recognize and feature them on your website, social media, or other channels. You can showcase their testimonials, reviews, photos, videos, or stories that highlight their positive experiences with your brand. You can also tag them, mention them, or thank them publicly for their feedback, suggestions, or referrals. This can boost their ego, reputation, and social proof, and encourage them to share more content about your brand.
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Gastón Käufer Barbé, MBA
Digital Marketing Specialist | CEO @ Toucan Insights | Ex Coca-Cola and Avon Cosmetics | Forbes & BrainZ Magazine Marketing Contributor | Academic Guest Lecturer
I believe it's critical to recognize and thank brand ambassadors in order to keep their support and allegiance. Giving customers meaningful prizes can encourage them to keep promoting your company and goods. A good example is providing them with access to exclusive deals that are not available to the broader public. In addition to expressing gratitude, this provides them with a concrete advantage. Another option is to give them early access to products and services. For example, first dibs on new features, releases, or services. There might be a thrilling payoff in trying something new first.
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Jugela S.
🚀 Cross-Channel Marketing Expert | Data Analytics Aficionado | Crafting Conversion-Centric Strategies for Global Markets 🌍
This is a very important step in this collaboration. Fostering relationships with your brand advocates builds trust not only in your brand but also in your professionalism and integrity. Sharing on your social media content that has come from your brand advocates, whether they are buyers or influencers builds your credibility and solidifies your product amongst competition.
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Vedantham Sharath Chandra
I Help Small Scale Businesses Manage Their Social Media Profiles | Storyteller | Social Media Marketer | Google Ads| Google My Business | Youtube | Facebook Ads| Linkedin Ads
Brand advocates share content online that may add value or complement the brand's reach among their target audience. We can quote them in the blog post or videos, or repost their content on the official social media channels and thank them by tagging them.
A third way to reward brand advocates is to engage and interact with them regularly. You can invite them to join your online community, forum, or group where they can connect with other like-minded customers and your brand representatives. You can also ask them for their opinions, feedback, or ideas on your products, services, or campaigns. You can also send them personalized messages, newsletters, or surveys that show your interest and appreciation. This can strengthen your relationship, trust, and loyalty with your brand advocates.
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Jugela S.
🚀 Cross-Channel Marketing Expert | Data Analytics Aficionado | Crafting Conversion-Centric Strategies for Global Markets 🌍
Always ask for feedback! Learning the weak points of your product from the user will point you to the next steps. Not only you will learn how to improve your product, thus gaining more traction from your competitors you are also fostering relationships. Let your collaborators/buyers/brand advocates know you are grateful for them constantly. This is not a one-man operation so you need your team, in the office and outside in the world.
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Matthew Laamanen
Marketing Communications Manager │ Content Marketing │ Brand Marketing │ Public Relations │ Internal Communications │ Crisis Communications │ Executive Communications │ Corporate Communications
The most impactful way to reward your brand advocates is to provide them access and interaction in a private online community. Platforms like Slack or Discord allow you to create an exclusive space where your biggest fans can directly engage with you, experts in your space, and each other. Make them feel special by granting them access to insider content like sneak peeks at new products, special discounts, or advance notice of content. Let your advocates provide feedback and input on upcoming campaigns or product launches. This gives them a voice and makes them feel invested in the brand. Make it a priority to cultivate relationships with your advocates by interacting regularly in the community. A little appreciation goes a long way.
A fourth way to reward brand advocates is to educate and empower them with useful and relevant information and resources. You can provide them with tips, guides, tutorials, or webinars that help them solve their problems, improve their skills, or achieve their goals. You can also equip them with tools, templates, or assets that they can use to create and share more content about your brand. You can also certify them as experts, influencers, or ambassadors for your brand. This can enhance their value, satisfaction, and advocacy for your brand.
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Jugela S.
🚀 Cross-Channel Marketing Expert | Data Analytics Aficionado | Crafting Conversion-Centric Strategies for Global Markets 🌍
Keep the communication open. Ask your brand advocates how you can help. They will let you know what benefits them most, so you can keep the collaboration/relationship open. You do not need to figure this out alone, on your own. Always ask and keep communication open and truthful.
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A fifth way to reward brand advocates is to surprise and delight them with unexpected and memorable gestures. You can send them a handwritten note, a thank you card, a gift card, or a swag bag that shows your gratitude and generosity. You can also feature them in your blog, podcast, or video that showcases their achievements or stories. You can also invite them to a special event, a meet-up, or a behind-the-scenes tour that gives them a unique and exclusive experience. These surprises can create positive emotions, memories, and stories that your brand advocates will love and share.
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Jugela S.
🚀 Cross-Channel Marketing Expert | Data Analytics Aficionado | Crafting Conversion-Centric Strategies for Global Markets 🌍
If you can add a personal touch do it. A handwritten note goes a long way. Acknowledge people and what they have done for your brand to the best of your ability.
A sixth way to reward brand advocates is to gamify and challenge them with fun and engaging activities and contests. You can create a leaderboard, a quiz, a trivia, or a scavenger hunt that tests their knowledge, skills, or creativity. You can also launch a campaign, a hashtag, or a challenge that invites them to participate, compete, or collaborate. You can also offer them incentives, prizes, or recognition for their performance, participation, or contribution. These games can spark their interest, excitement, and involvement with your brand.
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Tobias Hyldeborg
Marketing Manager @ Lexly
Gamifying brand advocacy through engaging activities like leaderboards, quizzes, and scavenger hunts enhances advocate engagement and loyalty. Initiating campaigns or social media challenges encourages participation and showcases advocate enthusiasm. Incentivizing these activities with prizes or recognition further motivates and rewards advocates. This approach not only makes brand interaction fun and competitive but also strengthens the community bond, turning advocacy into a rewarding and interactive experience.
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Vlad Stoiculescu
Marketing Coordinator for Central and Eastern Europe at VTEX, Certified Ecommerce Specialist and Trainer
If you're working in a B2B environment, these brand advocates are an integral part of your ecosystem so, the first step would be turn the relationship into a formal one. Offer them referral contracts and give them an opportunity to turn their loyalty into business value.
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