12 Must-Try Tips to Boost Your Loyalty Program Enrollment

Successful loyalty programs provide guests with multiple ways to engage and enroll. Every guest is different, and each has their preferred ways to interact with brands. 

Some of your guests may be tech fanatics who use every new feature as soon as it’s released and reject the idea of physical membership cards. There may be others who aren’t the type to spend lots of time online and feel alienated by app-only programs.  

By offering your guests numerous enrollment methods, you maximize the potential of your loyalty program. Here are 12 of the most effective ways to engage with guests: 

1. Simplify the Enrollment Process 

To maximize enrollment in your loyalty program, ensure the process is as straightforward and accessible as possible. Providing multiple enrollment options such as online registration, a mobile app, or in-store sign-up stations caters to different customer preferences and reduces friction. 

By requesting only essential information at first—like their name, email address or phone number, and birth month and day—you respect each customer’s time and privacy, which increases the likelihood of sign-up. To further streamline this process, integrate technologies like NFC (Near Field Communication) for quick tap-to-join capabilities at the point of sale or via smart posters in high-traffic areas. 

2. Welcome Incentives and Immediate Rewards 

Offering immediate rewards upon signing up significantly boosts enrollment rates. These incentives could be discounts, free items, or bonus points redeemable on the next visit. Highlighting these benefits clearly at every touchpoint—whether that’s through in-store displays, your business’s website, or during the checkout process—can persuade customers to take immediate action. Consider a reverse enrollment option where transactions are retroactively applied to their new loyalty account if they sign up on the same day, adding immediate value to their membership.

3. Employee Advocacy 

Training your staff to understand and promote your loyalty program, whether it’s brand new or has been around for years, turns them into powerful advocates. Incentivize employees with rewards for each customer they sign up to add a personal touch and drive enrollment.  

Your staff can effectively communicate the benefits during interactions, enhancing customer relationships and loyalty. This strategy ensures your loyalty program's advantages are conveyed through a trusted source, which increases engagement rates. 

4. Leverage Existing Channels 

Utilizing all available marketing channels ensures that your loyalty program gets maximum visibility. Design eye-catching visuals and compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) across your website, social media platforms, emails, and point-of-sale (POS) systems. Integrating enrollment options into these channels, like a simple text-to-join feature or clickable banners that lead directly to the sign-up page, makes joining effortless for customers. 

5. Tiered Rewards System 

Implementing a tiered rewards system encourages not just sign-ups but ongoing engagement. Customers are motivated to reach higher tiers with better rewards, aligning their spending with loyalty benefits. Clearly communicate the different tiers and associated benefits using transparent messaging through all marketing channels to ensure customers understand how they can advance and why it’s beneficial. 

6. Personalized Marketing 

Utilize the data collected through your loyalty program to send personalized communications and offers. This targeted approach not only makes the marketing more effective but also makes the customers feel valued, driving both repeat business and deeper loyalty. Personalization can be achieved through advanced CRM systems that track purchase history and preferences to tailor offers that resonate with individual members. 

7. Exclusive Experiences and Benefits 

Offering unique experiences and member-only benefits amplifies the attractiveness of a loyalty program. Exclusive access to sales, special events, or custom products can differentiate your program from competitors. 

Ensure these exclusive offers are well-promoted through personalized emails and mobile app notifications to keep members engaged and appreciative of the added value your restaurant or c-store provides. 

8. Integration with Mobile Technology 

In today’s mobile-first world, integrating your loyalty program with a mobile app is crucial. This integration allows for convenient point tracking, reward redemption, and receiving real-time notifications about new offers and updates. Enrich this mobile experience by incorporating features like digital loyalty cards that can be stored in a phone’s wallet app and scanned at checkout for ease of use. 

9. Social Proof and Testimonials 

Incorporate testimonials and case studies into your promotional materials to illustrate the real-world value of joining your loyalty program. Success stories and positive reviews influence prospective members' decision-making like few other factors can. Feature these testimonials prominently on your website and social media and consider video formats to capture the full impact of your customers’ positive experiences. 

10. Kiosks for Enrollment 

Deploying self-service kiosks in strategic locations such as near your restaurant’s entrance or at the checkout counter may increase the enrollment process for loyalty programs. These kiosks can offer a user-friendly interface that guides customers through the sign-up process step-by-step, presenting all the benefits clearly and allowing for immediate activation of the loyalty account. 

Kiosks are especially effective in busy environments where customers may be waiting in line, providing them with a productive way to engage with your brand and instantly benefit from signing up. Additionally, kiosks can be equipped with scanners and other technology to ease the integration of physical loyalty cards, making the entire process seamless and efficient. 

11. Text-to-Join Capabilities 

Text-to-join is a streamlined approach that lets customers enroll in loyalty programs by text message. This method is highly effective due to its convenience and immediacy, enabling customers to join while on the move or directly from their table without needing to navigate a website or app. 

Restaurants and stores can promote their text-to-join option through table tents, receipts, or digital screens, providing a quick-response code or a short number to text. This method not only simplifies the enrollment process but also immediately engages the customer through their personal device, potentially opening the door to more specific personalized communication and marketing opportunities. 

12. Physical Loyalty Cards 

Offering well-designed physical loyalty cards adds a tangible element to your loyalty program, which many customers appreciate. These cards can serve as a constant reminder of your brand every time a customer opens their wallet, reinforcing brand recognition and loyalty. Physical cards can be elevated with key tags, barcodes, or magnetic strips to facilitate easy scanning at points of sale, streamlining the transaction and redemption processes.  

They can also be designed to reflect the brand’s aesthetic, making them not only a functional tool but also a coveted item for customers who value collectibles or branded merchandise. To distribute these cards efficiently, consider offering them during the initial sign-up at kiosks, through direct mail campaigns, or as part of a welcome package upon joining the program. 

Using one or more of these 12 methods enables you to reach the most guests and make the biggest impact with your loyalty program. To see how a well-built loyalty program drives revenue and deepens your guest relationships, watch our webinar on this topic, “7 of the Best Methods to Enroll More Guests,” or request a demo now.