The Ultimate Guide to Promoting Your Café Loyalty Program

A well designed loyalty program can turn occasional visitors into regulars, boosting customer engagement and increasing revenue. In fact, 84% of consumers say they’re more likely to choose a brand that has a rewards program.

But having one isn’t enough—you need to promote it effectively and ensure it offers real value. That’s not even the difficult part — It is to get people to overcome the initial friction to sign-up to your loyalty program.

Why a Loyalty Program is Essential for Cafés

With so many cafés competing for customers’ attention, keeping customers coming back is more cost-effective than constantly attracting new ones. A loyalty program not only gives customers a reason to return but also establishes a communication channel and provides insights into their preferences so you can personalize their experience.

However, just launching a program isn’t enough. Without promotion, most customers won’t even realize it exists and without a clear value proposition most customers won’t find it useful. We bring you the best ways to promote your café’s loyalty program to enable people to take the first step and sign up through in-store efforts, online channels, and community partnerships.

Best Ways to Promote Your Café’s Loyalty Program

1. In-Store Promotion: Let Customers Know at the Café

Your café itself is the best place to encourage sign-ups. Customers are already at your café and there’s no better way than letting them realise the value of your loyalty programs while they take their sweet time to finish their coffee.  Here’s how to do it:

• Make it visible: Place signs, posters, pamphlets on tables, the menu board, and near the register.
  
  
• Convey the Value: Mention the value, rewards or cashbacks customers will get.
  
  
• Train your team: Get your baristas to casually mention the program when taking orders.
  
  
• Use the receipt: Add a simple message or QR code so customers can sign up later.
  
  
• Create urgency: Offer a sign-up bonus, like extra points or a free coffee for new members.

When your team is excited about the loyalty program, customers will be too. Oftentimes, incentivising your team to promote the program help you grow faster. 

2. Online Promotion: Use Your Website, Social Media & Emails

Most customers spend time online, so use digital channels to reach them. We live in a digital world and it only makes sense to meet the customer where they are. 

• Update your website: Dedicate a page to the program with easy sign-up instructions.
• Leverage social media: Post about loyalty perks, customer testimonials, and limited-time offers.
• Send an email blast: Announce the program to your existing subscribers and offer a small incentive for joining.
• Encourage social sharing: Give bonus points to customers who post about your program using a branded hashtag.

Online promotion keeps your loyalty program top of mind even when customers aren’t at your café. 

3. Partnerships & Community Engagement

Stuck in the daily habit loops, we often don’t take a birds eye view and look through macro perspectives to drive new customers. Expanding your reach beyond your café can bring in new customers. 

• Collaborate with nearby businesses: Offer cross-promotions with local bakeries, gyms, or bookstores.
• Join local events: Sponsor a market or community fair and sign up new members on the spot.
• Referral bonuses: Give existing members a reward when they bring in a friend.
• Support a cause: Allow customers to donate their points to charity, making their participation more meaningful.

Teaming up with local businesses and causes strengthens customer loyalty while boosting sign-ups.

Conclusion: Get Customers To Overcome Their Initial Friction 

A well-promoted loyalty program creates a community of regulars who choose your café over competitors. By using in-store signage, digital marketing, and partnerships, you can drive more sign-ups. 

Looking for an effortless way to manage your café’s loyalty program? Clique makes it easy to set up a seamless rewards system that customers love. From digital sign-ups to personalized perks, Clique helps you build a thriving customer base.

Want to turn first-time visitors into lifelong customers? Get started with Clique today!