Sunday, January 23, 2011

The difference between Membership and Loyalty

I often speak with corporate marketers about developing programs that increase the level of engagement between their customers and their business. Usually they end up saying something like "...we already have a loyalty program."

Well, a loyalty program is very different than a membership program.


Wikipedia defines a Loyalty Program as "...structured marketing efforts that reward, and therefore encourage, loyal buying behavior — behavior which is potentially of benefit to the firm."[


The focus of the relationship is one dimensional being only based upon 'buying' or simply transactions.

Membership is a whole 'nuther kettle of fish.

With membership, the customer also buys into the "mission" of the organization and is aptly '"rewarded" for this both by the organization as well as by his/her own good feelings of accomplishment. Membership uses the individuals need to be part of something bigger, to leave a legacy, to develop a loyalty that far surpasses anything a simple "loyalty program" can achieve.

This is what corporations should be aspiring to. Jimmy Buffet, KISS, Apple, the list goes on. These corporate brands have taken loyalty to the level of membership. Their customers 'identify' with them and THAT drives sales. The sales are indicative of the loyalty - but not the whole shabang.










7 comments:

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  2. What happens with my loyalty card? How I can use it with bank terminal???? Please tell me, I want to know how I can fix this problem.
    Usually I use this payment system in the bank.
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  3. Thanks for your post. Loyalty cards or reward cards are offered with a offer package of rewards that are very useful way to attract custmers. Loyalty cards in Melbourne are very popular and they are offered by most of the businessmen to hold on their customers. To arrange loyalty program is very useful.

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  4. Thanks for sharing the valuable information,This is useful information for online learners

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