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How to Use Contests and Polls to Keep Loyalty Members Active

Points and perks are great, but real loyalty goes deeper than transactions. If your members are only engaging when they check out, there’s a whole world of missed opportunity. That’s where contests and polls come in.

They’re simple, social, and super effective at keeping your community active and connected — even when they’re not shopping. Here’s how to use them to spark more engagement, more often.

Why Contests and Polls Matter

Think of contests and polls as the social glue of your loyalty program. They give your members something fun and easy to do, while keeping your brand top of mind. No discount needed.

They work because:

  • They’re light-touch and low effort (which means more people join in)
  • They offer a chance to be seen, heard, and rewarded
  • They help your brand feel more human and less transactional

1. Use Polls to Start Conversations

Polls are one of the easiest ways to get customers involved — and make them feel like their voice matters (because it does!).

Try:

  • Letting them vote on upcoming product launches or restocks
  • Asking what rewards they'd most love to see
  • Running quick “this or that” polls for fun — they take seconds but keep your brand in their feed and on their mind

Plus, polls give you instant insight into what your customers care about — so you can personalize your offers and content even better.

2. Reward Engagement Like You Reward Purchases

Engagement is valuable — so let your members know it.

With ethos, you can reward people for joining a contest, answering a poll, or sharing feedback — just like they’d earn points for placing an order. It keeps your loyalty program feeling active, not static.

3. Keep It on Brand, Keep It Fun

Contests and polls are a chance to show your personality. Whether your brand is playful, luxe, or community-driven, make sure your copy, visuals, and tone reflect that.

Highlight entries, tag winners, and share results — especially if they’re funny or surprising. That kind of social proof builds buzz and FOMO, fast.

4. Test, Learn, Repeat

Every community is different. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what clicks.

Keep an eye on:

  • Participation rates
  • Time spent on your loyalty page
  • Points earned through engagement
  • Repeat visits or shares

When something works, make it a recurring moment in your loyalty calendar.

Wrapping Up

Your loyalty program should do more than reward — it should spark connection. Contests and polls are powerful tools to make that happen, keeping members engaged and excited to come back (even when they’re not buying).

Ready to start? With ethos, you can set up a contest or launch a poll in just a few clicks — and reward your members for showing up. Every interaction counts.

Want help designing your first engagement campaign? Let’s chat.

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