🎁 Loyalty Programs Supercharged by Email Marketing

Hey there,

Most DTC brands know the struggle: getting a customer to buy once is hard enough.

Getting them to come back again and again? Even harder.

Many brands launch a points or rewards system and then quietly hope customers will remember to use it.

The reality? People forget. 

Attention moves fast. And unless your program is front and center, it fades into the background.

That’s why email is the missing piece. It’s the channel that turns a loyalty program from something passive into something customers actually engage with.

Why Email + Loyalty Is a Winning Combo

Think of email as the glue that keeps your program alive between purchases. 

Done right, it can:

✅ Keep customers excited about their points or perks
✅ Remind them they’re close to unlocking a new reward
✅ Celebrate milestones in a way that feels personal
✅ Give them more reasons to choose you instead of a competitor

When customers see progress in their inbox, they don’t just remember your brand, they feel motivated to shop again.

5 Types of Loyalty Emails That Work

Not sure where to start? Here are five proven types of loyalty emails that keep customers engaged and coming back for more.

1. Surprise & Delight

Nothing strengthens loyalty like unexpected generosity. 

Think:

• A birthday gift

• Double points for the weekend

• A thank-you reward just for being part of the program

These emails create emotional connection, not just transactional value.

2. Points Balance Reminder

People love seeing progress. A quick note like:  “Your 450 points = $20 off your next order. Don’t let them go to waste.”

Add a progress bar, and suddenly customers feel this close to their next reward.

3. VIP Tier Updates

Everyone loves status. Highlight progress toward the next tier: “Only 2 more orders until you reach Gold status.”

Or celebrate a new level with extra perks. It’s simple gamification that drives repeat orders.

4. Referral Prompts

Your best customers are your best marketers. Loyalty emails can remind them: “Share your referral link and earn 500 bonus points.”

When you combine loyalty + referrals, you grow sales while rewarding loyalty at the same time.

5. Impact Stories

For purpose-driven brands, loyalty emails can connect purchases to impact: “Because of your points, we donated 50 meals last month.”

This shifts the story from discounts to belonging, customers feel like part of something bigger.

Common Loyalty Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Keeping the program buried in your site footer
❌ Only talking about it at checkout
❌ Making rewards too complicated to redeem

If customers can’t see the value clearly, they won’t engage.

Build Connection Before You Push Sales

Not every loyalty email needs to shout about points or perks.

But every loyalty email should remind your customers why sticking with you is worth it.

If you give them progress updates, simple wins, and a reason to feel part of your brand, they’ll keep coming back.

And when the time comes to promote a new product or campaign? They’ll already be engaged and ready.

Make your loyalty program more than a tab on your site.

Here’s what I suggest:

✔️ Plan a simple 30-day loyalty email sequence
✔️ Mix in reminders, rewards, and surprises
✔️ Track which emails drive redemptions, referrals, or repeat orders

Then double down on what moves the needle.

You don’t need a massive discount to earn loyalty.

Just consistent, valuable communication.

Stay consistent. Stay connected. The repeat purchases will follow.

Need help? DM me.

Talk soon,
Raymond Chen
Founder & CEO, 11 Agency

More Ways to Level Up Your Email Game 🚀

Q4 is here, and with BFCM and the holidays right around the corner, your email marketing has to be dialed in. 

Every click, every open, and every flow can mean the difference between hitting record revenue or leaving money on the table.

Here’s how I can help you maximize Q4:

✅ Done-for-You Email Strategy
If you’re ready to scale but don’t have the time, I’ll build out a complete email system designed to capture more revenue, convert more customers, and keep sales flowing through the holidays. Book a call with me here.

✅ Free Resource
Not ready to commit just yet? Grab my FREE 10-page KPI audit and 128-point health scorecard, a proven toolkit to quickly optimize your email performance before BFCM. Get it here!

Extra Tips to Boost Your Email Strategy

If you’re up for boosting your email game, I’ve got a few more gems for you:

📺 Check Out My YouTube Tutorial!
Want to create a high-converting pop-up form that actually drives results?

In my YouTube video, I walk you through the process of designing popups in 2025 that boost email deliverability, grow your list, and drive more conversions. Using tools like Klaviyo and platforms like Shopify, I’ll show you exactly how to optimize your forms for success. 👉 Watch it here: 

📝 5 Email Loyalty Marketing Programs That Drive Repeat Business
Many brands struggle to turn one-time buyers into loyal customers.

We’ve put together 5 proven email loyalty programs that encourage repeat purchases and build long-term relationships with your customers. Want to see the programs that actually work? 👉 Check out the full list here: 5 Email Loyalty Marketing Programs That Drive Repeat Business

💡 Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
I share daily email marketing tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and strategies that actually work. If you’re looking for extra value beyond this newsletter, let’s connect!👉  Follow me here.