Year: 2018

How to Earn Kicks: 15 Tips for Shopkick Success

Posted on by Kick Writers

I’ve been using Shopkick long enough to call myself a pro. Whether I’m grabbing my Starbucks treat or saving up for a splurge at Best Buy, I know how to make every errand count toward rewards.

 

If you’ve already downloaded the app and are ready to level up your earnings, here are my top tips for getting the most out of every kick.

 

Set Yourself Up for Success

1. Turn on notifications and Bluetooth so you never miss a nearby kick opportunity.

2. Check the app daily — new offers and products are always being added, and kick values can change.

3. Keep your app updated so you get the latest features and smooth performance.

 

How to Earn Kicks In-Store

Ready to boost your rewards during your next Target, Walmart, or CVS run? Here’s the in-store game plan:

4. Walk into a partner store with your app open and Bluetooth on to earn walk-in kicks.
5. Scan featured products from the “Nearby” tab — quick and fun!
6. Buy and submit receipts to earn even more kicks on eligible items.
7. Link your retailer accounts for eReceipts (Target, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and more!) so qualifying purchases automatically earn you kicks — no photo uploads needed.

How to Earn Kicks at Home

Yes, you can still earn while lounging on the couch!

8. Watch product videos for instant kicks.

 

9. Explore the Discover tab for hidden offers.

 

10. Shop online through Shopkick to earn kicks on purchases you’re already planning.

 

11. Refer friends — when they join through your invite link and earn their first kicks within seven days, you both get a bonus.

 

Pro Tips for Shopkick Experts

12. Scan only in-store: Scanning on the actual shelf ensures brands and stores keep offering rewards.

 

13. One account per person: Avoid multiple accounts or shared logins — they can lead to account closure.

 

14. Protect your account: Keep your login private so you don’t lose your rewards.

 

15. Make it social: Invite friends and shop together — more fun, more kicks!

 

Why These Hacks Work

Shopkick is about turning everyday shopping into a rewarding experience — no tricks, no shortcuts, just simple shopping. Stick to these strategies, and you’ll see your kicks add up faster than you think.

 

Your next gift card is waiting! Download Shopkick today, link your retailer accounts for eReceipts, and start stacking kicks on every trip — whether you’re in-store or at home.

The 4 craziest apps everyone should have

Posted on by Kick Writers

Recently, I made a promise to myself: I’d be open to more new experiences and would stop saying no so much. Crazily enough, one of the first things I started saying yes to was apps my friends were suggesting. Forever, I’d been reflexively no-ing apps that paid me to take surveys. (And also that one that makes it look like I’m drinking a beer through my phone.)

Since I’ve started saying yes more, though, I can’t believe the awesome apps I’ve found! There are just so many amazing apps out there these days, even ones that sound crazy at first. Today, I want to introduce you to my list of the four craziest apps everyone should have. Warning: most—if not all—of these will seem too good to be true. Trust me, they’re for real! Give them a chance and I’m sure that you’ll love them as much as I do.

Crazy Apps Everyone Should Have #1: Memrise

What if I told you that your smartphone could teach you Spanish? Or French? Or even Japanese? You probably won’t believe me, but thanks to Memrise, it’s true.

craziest apps everyone should haveMemrise is a language learning app that helps you attain basic conversational fluency in a variety of languages. Developers call the process “elaborate encoding,” and it works by using word associations to lock in information. There is a free tier, with a variety of courses to get you started, as well as a pro level. For me, c’est tres bien!

Crazy Apps Everyone Should Have #2: IFTTT

Maybe you’ve heard of a tech trend called If This Then That, or IFTTT. Basically, IFTTT is a bit of code that lets you schedule your devices to perform actions depending on a situation. In other words, If this happens, then do that.

For example, you can use IFTTT to help manage your social media. Like, if you post on Instagram and use the hashtag #T, then your post will also go to Twitter. Or, anytime you post to Twitter, that post gets saved in your Dropbox.

You can also use IFTTT to program other devices too, like Amazon Alexa. If there’s a traffic jam along your morning commute, then Alexa should wake you with music 20 minutes earlier than usual. Heck, you can even use IFTTT to have your phone alert you when the International Space Station passes overhead!

Crazy Apps Everyone Should Have #3: DoorDash

You know those nights when you’re almost too tired to move, let alone cook? Well, what if there was an app that would have someone bring you dinner from your favorite restaurant—even if that restaurant doesn’t deliver?

Tada! That app is called DoorDash and it works like other localized apps such as Postmates or Favor Delivery. The general idea is that you order whatever food you want, and the app sends a driver out to pick up your order and deliver it to you. No moving or shoes required on your part!

Crazy Apps Everyone Should Have #4: Shopkick

This is yet another app that you won’t believe exists; it’s almost too good to be true. Basically, how this shopping app works is that it turns all your trips to the store into a game—and it pays you to go shopping!

If I’m going to leave you with one last bit of advice, though, it’s to definitely download Shopkick.

Of all the apps on our list today, Shopkick is my personal favorite. I mean, it’s basically a digital coupon app that helps stretch my budget. There’s a lot to love about that. Shopkick works by giving you points—which you can redeem later for gift cards just—for doing things you normally do while shopping. For example, say you walk into a certain store: you get points. Or, you scan the barcode of a featured item: you get more points. Maybe you take a picture of your receipt after you buy your weekly groceries (or toiletries, or maybe that super cute necklace): you get even more points! It may sound crazy, but it’s true.

So, there you have it: the four craziest apps everyone should have that I know of. If I’m going to leave you with one last bit of advice, though, it’s to definitely download Shopkick. The savings are immense, it’s totally fun to use, and it’s also super easy. Plus, it’s free. Hey, maybe you can use all the money you save for the pro tier of Memrise. Hold on, don’t thank me now. I want to hear it in whatever language you learn.

Looking for the coolest apps for iPhone and Android, especially one that can help you save money while shopping? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of Shopkickers who love the rewards of shopping with us!

Or join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and check in every day on your phone, no matter where you are, to learn about the hottest, newest deals.

Image courtesy Oneinchpunch

Amazon Home is now on Shopkick!

Posted on by Kick Writers

You can now get kicks on Amazon Home! Find everything you need to outfit your home. Shop featured categories at Amazon Home to find the most commonly sought items within home improvement, home decor, furniture, dining, lawn & garden, and more.

Get kicks on Amazon Home

Whether you are starting from scratch or just freshening up the basics, Amazon Home has everything you need at everyday low prices and free shipping on qualified items. Plus, get 7 kicks for every dollar spent!

Home improvement* – 7 kicks per $1

home improvement on amazon home

It’s the season for home improvement! Whether you’re planning a major upgrade or just a quick fix, Amazon Home has got you covered! Shop popular appliances, smart home accessories, and much more. Find helpful items for any project and earn rewards along the way.
*some exclusions apply

Kitchen & Dining – 7 kicks per $1

kitchen and dining on amazon home

Ready for a change? Find top spring trends for your home and kitchen on Amazon Home. Shop through the Shopkick app and express yourself while earning kicks.

 

Furniture & Outdoors – 7 kicks per $1

furniture on amazon home

Furnish your living space both inside and outdoors! Amazon Home has everything you need to channel your inner host and get ready for spring and summer entertaining. What’s more, you can earn kicks towards gift cards with your purchases!

Happy shopkicking!

How it works

Shopkick rewards you for the shopping you already do. There are many easy ways to earn reward points (we call them kicks). Redeem your kicks for free gift cards and enjoy. It’s that easy! With a wide selection of gift cards available from Starbucks to Target, Sephora to Amazon, you can be sure to find the perfect gift card to treat yourself.

Don’t have Shopkick yet? Download it now and get started earning rewards today!

Posted in b2c

How to shop your way to free gift cards

Posted on by Kick Writers

Shopping isn’t just about ticking items off a list — it’s an experience, an art, and yes, an opportunity. Did you know your everyday shopping can actually lead to free gift cards? With the right approach and tools, you can turn your regular shopping trips into a rewarding activity. Imagine scoring gift cards for your favorite stores and brands, just by doing what you already do! Today, we’re diving into exactly how you can shop smarter and unlock these perks, starting with a simple download. Let’s turn your shopping habits into real rewards.

 

Downloading a Shopping Rewards App

The easiest way to get started on your journey to earning free gift cards is by downloading a shopping rewards app. These apps are designed to reward you for your purchases and activities while shopping —whether in-store or online. They’re the bridge between your normal habits and extraordinary rewards.

 

There are two main types of shopping apps: coupon-based apps and true rewards apps. Coupon apps are essentially the digital version of old-school coupon clipping, offering discounts and deals directly on your phone. While useful, they’re limited to saving you money upfront.

 

On the other hand, shopping rewards apps go a step further by offering points for a variety of actions, like visiting stores, scanning product barcodes, and completing purchases. These points can then be redeemed for free gift cards to popular retailers. Think of them as your personal shopping assistant, rewarding you for every step you take.

 

The best part? These apps work seamlessly across multiple stores, so you’re not tied to just one retailer. It’s an effortless way to maximize your shopping routine and make every trip count.

 

Using Shopkick for Maximum Rewards

Among the many shopping rewards apps available, Shopkick stands out as a game-changer. It’s more than just an app — it’s an experience that transforms how you shop. From the moment you step into a participating store, Shopkick starts rewarding you with points, which they call kicks.

 

Here’s how it works:

 

  • Walking into Stores: Simply entering select stores earns you kicks. No purchase is necessary — just show up and start collecting
  • Scanning Barcodes: While browsing the aisles, you can scan the barcodes of featured products to earn additional kicks. It’s like a scavenger hunt, making your trip more interactive and fun
  • Uploading Receipts: After making a purchase, upload your receipt through the app to earn even more kicks. It’s quick, easy, and adds to your rewards
  • Shopping Online: Prefer to shop from home? No problem. Shopkick also lets you earn kicks for shopping online through its platform

 

With Shopkick, every shopping trip feels like an adventure. The thrill of earning kicks adds a layer of excitement to even the most routine errands, turning your shopping cart into a gateway to free gift cards.

 

Social Media and Community Engagement

The rewards don’t stop with the app itself. Shopkick has cultivated an engaging and dynamic community across social media channels like Facebook and Instagram (@shopkick). By following these platforms, you can tap into daily shopping inspiration, exclusive promotions, and even a good laugh from user-generated content.

 

Social media becomes a space where Shopkickers share their tips, tricks, and success stories, creating a vibrant hub of positivity and motivation. Whether it’s a funny meme about shopping or an insider tip on earning more kicks, the community adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the entire experience.

 

Engaging with Shopkick’s social channels isn’t just about entertainment — it’s about staying informed and getting the most out of the app. You’ll never miss a chance to earn more rewards, and you might even make a few online friends who share your passion for savvy shopping.

 

Download Shopkick today and start transforming your shopping experience. Turn every step, scan, and receipt into rewards, and join a community of shoppers who know how to make their habits work harder for them. Your journey to free gift cards starts now — don’t wait to get in on the fun.

Shop outdoor spring essentials

Posted on by Kick Writers

Find everything you need to transform your patio into the patio of your dreams. Open the Shopkick app to check out some of our favorite finds!

Let’s take this outside

It’s the perfect time to refresh your outdoor space + earn big kicks! From 4/28 through 5/1, get double the kicks at Walmart.com, eBay, Overstock, Jet and Etsy when you purchase through the Shopkick app.

Get double the kicks per $1 spent online!

Participating Partners:

Overstock
14 kicks per $1
was 7 kicks per $1

Jet
12 kicks per $1
was 6 kicks per $1

eBay
10 kicks per $1
was 5 kicks per $1

Walmart.com
6 kicks per $1
was 3 kicks per $1

Etsy
6 kicks per $1
was 3 kicks per $1
*Offer only available on purchases made through the Shopkick app from 4/28 – 5/1.

How to earn kicks for online purchases

Step1

Look for the cart icon to find stores with kicks for online purchases.

Step2

Tap “Shop Now” on an offer or in a store’s page to visit through Shopkick.

Step1

Add items to your cart and checkout with any payment method.

Posted in b2c

How to market a new product successfully using social and mobile

Posted on by Kick Writers

How to market a new product successfully using social and mobile

Get In Touch

Many of the tips on how to market a new product online are familiar. Study what your competition is doing, know your demographics and target the right audience, adjust your marketing message to them, and connect with consumers on social media are all common recommendations. While those may be useful tips, they only scratch the surface of Internet marketing. When looking at how to sell a new product in the digital age, brands must be prepared to create deeper connections via an online engagement campaign that builds trust.

One area where brands may struggle is digital consumer engagement. Most consumers don’t regularly interact with brands in the digital space, choosing instead to socialize with friends, family, and other community users. Consumer interaction is imperative if a brand wants to build buzz for a new product, but getting consumers to speak up in public can be a challenge. Often, a more impactful way to interact with these consumers is to do it on a personal level, via the use of a third-party mobile marketing app. Third-party apps connect brands directly with consumers in the digital space, enabling them to engage with these potential customers when a new product is released.

For brands attempting to market a new product, knowing some essential strategies and techniques—from what to assess in a competitive analysis to how to partner with influential third-party apps—can mean the difference between failure to gain traction and massive industry recognition.

How to Perform a Digital Competition Analysis

When evaluating marketing competition for a new product, brands need to do a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) of their largest competitors. This will give insight on what competing brands are doing in terms of social media marketing. It will also help a brand discover marketing opportunities their competition may have failed to capitalize on. A SWOT analysis of a social campaign analyzes:

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Strengths:

Strengths speak to what the brand is doing right. If it has a high performing Facebook page or a Twitter account with at least a six-figure following, those would be clear strengths for the brand—and practices worth imitating.

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Weaknesses:

Weaknesses are anything hurting the brand’s image and limiting its impact. Having, for example, a weak social media following or being embroiled in a controversy over something posted on one of the brand’s accounts would be considered a weakness.

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Opportunities:

Opportunities in digital marketing lie where your competition may have left holes in the market. Many brands advertise on major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, but miss lesser known but still incredibly popular niche sites. Reddit is a prime example: The site boasts 330 million users and has a wide range of categories and subtopics but is rarely leveraged by marketers.

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Threats:

Threats in digital marketing can come in the form of new competitors on a platform, like the possibility that a competitive brand will bulk up its presence on a social media site and target your potential audience. They can also come in the form of a sudden decline in the popularity of a particular site, where a brand may be positioning a new product. If a brand gains a large following on Facebook, for example, only to have consumers abandon the social media site altogether, that could be a threat for the brand.

Doing a SWOT analysis of your competitors’ digital marketing efforts helps you identify their strength and weaknesses—which may be similar to yours—and leverage this knowledge against them. It will also help you find holes in the market where you can advertise your product. If, for example, Brand X has a new product nearly identical to yours, along with a massive following on Facebook, it might be wiser to place your marketing campaign somewhere they are not.

Create Buzz with Social Media

One issue marketers run into with social media campaigns is that advertisements are frequently ignored. While paid social campaigns can deliver some sales conversion, they rarely generate buzz. That’s because ads don’t create enthusiasm, people do. To get people to participate on a brand’s social media page—thereby creating buzz—brands must interact in ways consumers find meaningful. Within social media, there are a few tools brands can use:

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Purpose-driven marketing:

Purpose-driven marketing isn’t designed just to sell a product, it’s designed to bring attention to an issue or cause. Del Monte Foods is a prime example. Del Monte uses its Facebook page not just to share information about products, but also to share the brand’s passion for natural, organic, and healthy foods. This strategy has helped the brand align itself with individuals who are also passionate about healthy, organic eating—a built-in audience Del Monte can market to when launching new products.
Purpose-driven marketing campaigns reach consumers on an emotional level, and brands can capitalize on this in order to gain attention when new products launch.

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Solution-based messages:

One of the oldest rules of marketing is to know your audience’s pain points and address them with your message. Dannon utilizes this strategy with its #KnowYourYogurt Twitter campaign. Yogurt may fall into the healthy food category, but it’s often not as healthy as consumers think, thanks to high sugar content.

Dannon used a solution-based messaging tactic when it announced new, healthier ingredients and better labels that offered more transparency. Creating a solution for consumers concerned about high-sugar content in “healthy” foods built trust, and promoting that change helped show the brand had addressed consumer concerns. Encouraging transparency also helped align consumers with the cause and the brand.

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Appropriate hashtags:

Hashtags are an essential tool that every brand should use when posting on social media. Hashtags allow consumers to discover content. Brands should also encourage consumers to use their branded hashtag in order to improve product visibility.

Hashtags are something Hallmark manages well on its Instagram page. The brand regularly uses hashtags to draw attention to timely content, such as April stories featuring hashtags such as #AprilShowers, #April, and #umbrellas. The brand also encourages consumers to use its hashtag, #MyHallmark, for a chance to be featured on its page.
While hashtags such as #AprilShowers may be non-branded, they allow consumers to discover the brand when searching for the popular hashtags. Meanwhile, branded hashtags improve engagement.

These social media interaction methods pique consumers’ interest in the brand and make them more receptive to messages about new products. Followers of the brand can then become brand ambassadors for a new product by sharing it on their pages or within their feeds. This creates a snowball effect and can create buzz.

Brands, however, also need to be aware that many of their followers will never interact unless the brand reaches out to them directly.

Get The Likes: How to Market a New Product to Passive Social Media Consumers

Lurking, an Internet phenomenon where someone regularly reads content but never responds to it, is so common there’s a rule about it: the 90-9-1 rule. This states that 1% of social media users generate the majority of content; 9% interact irregularly; and 90% observe but rarely interact publicly.

Being able to connect with the 1% and 9% is imperative, but so is reaching that silent majority. While connecting with users who don’t comment or interact can be a challenge, there are a few ways brands can encourage silents to speak up when a new product is launching:

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Keep online channels conflict-free:

Often, lurkers are hesitant to post for fear of conflict. Brands should police their pages so consumers feel comfortable. Ensure there are moderators on staff who will guarantee that topics stay on subject and users remain civil to one another. When someone does post for the first time, they should be welcomed warmly and encouraged to continue participating.

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Make contributing easy:

Having to create content or post comments might be a bit overwhelming for lurkers, but activities such as submitting an opinion, engaging in polls, and clicking “like” or “share” can be simple. Encourage lower-key participation from users and you may find the lurkers come out of the shadows.

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Reward interaction:

When a brand rewards interaction—whether it’s with a free product or simple recognition—user engagement tends to increase. Ask consumers to share information about a new product on their own pages for a chance to earn a reward or free product and they will often participate.

Brands must remember that the vast majority of their online audience will never directly interact with the brand. The brand will likely still reach those consumers; however, creating the kind of emotional connection that gets that consumer interested in your new product can be a challenge.

An alternative to attempting to connect with consumers on social media is to reach this audience through third-party mobile apps, especially those that travel with the customer as they’re in the shopping aisle.

The Benefits of Using Mobile Apps to Market a New Product

A mobile shopping app can be a useful ally in the effort to spread awareness of a new product, including when that product is available at brick-and-mortar locations. Mobile apps allow brands to connect with consumers at the right moment, and can even funnel them to a department, aisle, or shelf location. They can help ensure consumers seek out, and can locate, new products on the very day of release.

Mobile interaction is a strategy that Shopkick leverages in its app, which provides users with rewards for finding and scanning products in the shopping aisle. A brand using the app when releasing a new product could offer points to consumers who seek the product out in the store. Once the consumer holds the product in their hands to scan it they may be tempted to purchase it, too.

Third-party mobile apps such as Shopkick also allow brands to identify the ideal consumer and then target the very best message to them. A brand marketing a new puppy chow, for example, only wants to market to dog owners. With a high performing mobile app, the brand would be able to pinpoint those who own dogs and may be interested in the product.

Another benefit of third-party mobile app marketing is that it allows a brand access to an audience it may never have reached before. That’s because the third-party shopping app will have its own set of existing users. Having this kind of built-in audience is a boon for marketers, and partnering eliminates the need for a brand to develop its own app, which can be a challenging and expensive.

Finally, many third-party apps feature rewards programs. Rewards programs allow brands to incentivize product engagement while limiting the expense of discounting. Brands know how expensive a product launch can be, so the ability to leverage a marketing medium that does not rely on discounting is imperative.

Any brand looking at how to market a new product in the digital age needs to study their competitors, find areas of opportunity for marketing, and leverage that knowledge. While interaction with consumers is critical, brands must also recognize that the majority of users on social media do not frequently interact in a public space. Thus, brands should make interaction comfortable for users and leverage mobile apps to connect with consumers. Mobile shopping apps regularly serve as a bridge to consumers for brands trying to market a new product.

Shopkick effectively helps partners gain awareness and trial for new offerings both online and offline.  For more information on how our app can benefit your brand, contact us.

Posted in b2b

How proximity marketing apps can drive traffic

Posted on by Kick Writers

How proximity marketing apps can drive traffic

With a proximity marketing app, brands, retailers or restaurants can increase store traffic and gain brand recognition when it matters most. That’s because the ability to travel with consumers and meet them in the moment of decision is a powerful tool for a company. Apps that incorporate proximity marketing allow brands to track consumer traffic patterns, develop innovative ways to drive traffic through the door, and can even drive sales. They can also be used to leverage consumer trust, get customers to interact with products, and improve marketing insights for brands.

A well-executed proximity marketing campaign is more than simple advertising, it’s a means of tracking and measuring consumers’ behavior as they travel. Mobile shopping apps, for example, allow brands to plan marketing campaigns in a way that incentivizes consumers through rewards-based programs and timely offers. Proximity marketing that uses context-based messaging, or connects consumers to a nearby location, can help ensure that a consumer remembers a brand. There are many reasons proximity marketing apps drive traffic, and each is centered around the improved connection a company can make with the consumers who use these apps.

Establishing Trust for Qualified Leads

The requirement for permissive use associated with proximity marketing also gives brands an advantage. If a customer has agreed to receive location-based messages through an app or from your brand, they’ve established a high baseline of trust, which a brand can build upon.

About 74% of consumers find it very important that they are able to control who has access to
their data. In the same vein, 76% of adults lack confidence in online advertisers’ ability to keep that data secure. Asking a consumer for permission not only to send them advertisements but also to also track their physical location is asking consumers to trust your brand. Those who opt-in to proximity marketing, then, are more qualified or likely to convert.

When a consumer gives your brand access to data via a proximity marketing app, they are signaling receptiveness to your brand’s communication. This sets the stage for you to deliver context-based messages that speak to their specific needs. And, context-based messaging is more likely engage a consumer, making your message more memorable.

Making a Bigger Impact with Context-Based Messaging

One of the major benefits of proximity marketing is that it allows a company to give more in-depth context to its marketing message. Consumers can see an advertisement for a product or a location at the very moment they’re considering a purchase. This kind of meaningful advertising results in more effective brand awareness and serves as an excellent means of moving a potential customer through the sales cycle.

Casual dining company Bloomin’ Brands—which owns such restaurants as Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill—is one company that has used proximity marketing to grow both brand recognition and sales, largely through context-based messages. The company uses geolocation tracking to promote their nearby restaurant choices—along with information like locations, hours, menus, and reviews—as the consumer is considering dining options in the area. The company targets these messages based on that consumer’s past dining behaviors, then reaches out to the potential diner with a message that offers rewards for dining at a Bloomin’ Brands restaurant. This creates a context-based message, as the consumers receive a message about dining options when they’re considering stopping at a restaurant. It also incentivizes purchase by offering a reward for stopping in.

Proximity marketing allows the company to reach consumers who are in the right mindset. Even if the consumer decides not to dine at the restaurant advertised in the mobile app marketing campaign, they’ll be more likely to remember that restaurant—and its location—than if they’d simply seen a commercial for the restaurant on television.

For location-based advertising, restaurants, and brick-and-mortar stores, context campaigns offer great traffic. CPG brands hoping to gain more traffic in the shopping aisle, however, need to take it a bit further and focus on getting consumers to interact with their products.

Engaging the User In-Store with a Proximity Marketing App

For CPG brands, driving traffic isn’t just about getting consumers into the store; it’s about getting them to go to a specific section of the store. This is the point at which there’s the greatest sales potential for a brand and the most competition since most CPG brands sit on the shelves alongside their competitors.

Getting consumers to view a certain segment of the aisle can be achieved with the help of a rewards-based proximity marketing program. It’s a strategy that Shopkick has built into its shopping rewards app. Consumers using Shopkick earn points—known as kicks—for typical shopping behaviors such as visiting certain stores, making purchases, and engaging with products. They later redeem these kicks for gift cards. This gamified strategy can turn average shopping into a fun scavenger hunt. Most importantly for brands, however, it can also drive traffic to the aisle—and to specific shelf locations.

This type of rewards system incentivizes consumers to seek out a brand’s product in the store and can have an impact on several fronts:

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Interaction drives sales:

One way consumers earn rewards is by scanning the barcodes of certain products via their phone. Encouraging physical interaction with a product increases the likelihood of a sale for a brand. The ability for consumers to earn additional rewards for purchasing the product—which is already in their hand—further incentivizes sales.

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Interaction improves brand recall:

Brand recall occurs when a consumer remembers a brand when it matters the most—as they’re about to purchase a product. In-store interaction with a product can foster an important psychological cue that can encourage future purchase behavior. In the consumer’s mind, the brand is now linked to the desired product and to that product’s location in the store.
For example, a consumer uses an app to earn for scanning the barcode on a bottle of nail polish, but doesn’t buy it. Later in the week, the consumer decides it’s time for a new shade. Since they already know the brand, know where it is located in the store, and know that they could potentially earn additional rewards for a purchase, they’ll be more likely to seek out that brand when they’re ready to buy.

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Interaction encourages cross-sales:

A consumer using an app in-store to earn rewards for one product may choose to buy another of the brand’s products, or convert from a competitor brand, because of that interaction. Say for example that a dairy brand offered kicks for scanning its butter. After the consumer has scanned the butter, they remember they need milk and choose that brand’s milk. Offering rewards for one product in a brand’s portfolio can help gain awareness for all of them.

Using an in-store rewards system like Shopkick funnels users to specific locations within a store, increases familiarity with a brand, and improves the likelihood that a consumer will purchase a product.

It’s strategies like these, which merge the physical and digital worlds, that provide such an incredible opportunity for brands to increase brand affinity—and potentially market share. On top of that, such app-based campaigns offer insight into consumer behaviors, which brands can use to improve future marketing strategies.

Using Proximity-Based Data to Gain Insight into Purchase Behaviors

One of the benefits of proximity marketing is that companies don’t have to choose between either mobile commerce or brick-and-mortar shopping. Mobile marketing can be used to improve both online sales and to increase in-store traffic. The consumer’s mobile phone becomes their roadmap during the shopping trip, allowing brands to direct consumers to their products. At the same time, this type of marketing can give valuable insight into consumer behaviors, allowing companies to locate and capitalize on signals of purchase intent and inform future marketing plans.

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Motivating consumers to seek out products:

When a brand doesn’t want to invest heavily in product placement, the ability to motivate consumers to actively seek out products is key. Consider the case of a wine brand that is experiencing low sales and that has poor shelf position. Rather than pay to improve that shelf position, the brand chooses instead to offer free rewards points just for scanning the wine’s barcode, no purchase required. This strategy can drive traffic to their shelf as well as promote consumer engagement with the brand. And, because the request—seek out wine, scan bottle—requires little time investment by the consumer it encourages a large number of scans. Brands can even experiment with the numbers to see exactly how many points it takes to get consumers to actively seek out a product in-store, all while avoiding product placement expenses.

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Improved ROI:

Proximity marketing data can be used to determine whether offering rewards or discounts are more effective, and what kind of consumers are attracted to a campaign. Offering a discount often gains only a one-time sale from a new customer, who may be mainly focused on price. Providing rewards, on the other hand, may turn customers into repeat buyers. Data from proximity marketing apps that incorporate rewards can be used to justify increasing rewards marketing and reducing costly discount-based deals.

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Testing demand for new product launches:

When rolling out a new product, a brand may choose to do so on a smaller scale, through pilot launches. A shopping app can provide a test market community, allowing the brand to determine whether the product and its marketing campaign is ready for a full launch, or if either needs tweaking first.

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Ability to scale for expected demand:

The real-time nature of data gathered through proximity marketing gives a brand early indication of a product’s popularity within a region, and even as narrowly as by neighborhood. This allows brands to scale supply based on specific, localized demand.

Proximity marketing allows brands to travel with consumers, and the data provided during their journey helps inform the best way to communicate with them. It offers true insight that can be used to adjust a marketing message mid-campaign or increase supply based on location-specific demand. It can even be used to inform on things like supply chain decisions for CPG brands and staffing requirements for restaurants and retailers.

Proximity marketing apps allow your brand to gain greater insight into consumer behavior. By using an app that consumers trust, you extend that trust to your brand, locations, or company. You can encourage visits to a location and increase interaction with a product by offering timely, context-based messages. Not only do proximity marketing apps drive traffic to a location, they can also improve sales and, by extension, help a company grow their market share.

Shopkick leverages proximity marketing through an innovative app that helps our partners reach consumers at the right time. For more information, contact us.

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