When you don’t have time to write to each guest individually, it’s a fair question: how can automated marketing campaigns help you maintain relevant contact without sending the same message to everyone? The answer lies in pre-planned guest communications, selecting the right target audience and reviewing the results.
stmpr is a digital loyalty card based on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, which guests can access via a QR code without having to download a separate app. Linked to this loyalty programme, you can design campaigns for guests who are close to earning a reward or who have been inactive for some time.
In this article, you’ll learn about the structure of a campaign, from guest registration to measurement; you’ll find out when it’s worth automating, and what to look out for when selecting campaigns, push notifications and the tool itself.
Key Points
- Automated marketing campaigns are triggered by predefined guest signals; they are not sent to everyone at the same time.
- Plan your campaign in stages: choose a trigger, target audience and message, then review the results.
- Start with a single campaign objective and a well-defined group of guests, so that the message remains easy to understand and relevant.
- stmpr is a specialised system designed for campaigns linked to digital loyalty cards, rather than a general customer management system.
- Consider whether you need a one-off manual message, a targeted campaign or an automated reward reminder.
What does an automated marketing campaign mean for a small business?
An automated campaign is linked to pre-defined conditions. Once these are met, the system launches the campaign to the specified audience at the selected time, so you don’t have to compose and send every message manually. This is not the same as sending the same offer to all guests at once. Within the broader concept of marketing automation, a small business could, for example, automate guest communications linked to a digital loyalty card.
The stmpr digital loyalty card is based on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, and guests sign up for it using a QR code. The campaign can be linked to activity visible within the loyalty programme, such as proximity to a reward. However, automation does not guarantee that a guest will return or spend more. It simply provides the opportunity for a pre-planned, relevant message to be triggered when the right conditions are met.
What kind of guest situation can trigger a campaign?
You can select your target audience based on a guest’s activity, proximity to a reward, or inactivity. For example, you can set up a reward reminder for those who are close to redeeming a reward. Or you can design a campaign for those who haven’t collected any stamps for a while. The guest’s behaviour provides the trigger, but you determine the rules and the timing of the message.
Automated campaign or one-off message?
Automated marketing campaigns can be linked to specific conditions and timing. A one-off offer, on the other hand, is designed as a separate campaign, for example for a specific occasion or promotion. A targeted campaign determines who receives the message and when; whilst a push notification determines how the guest receives the message. You can also find out more about setting up targeted campaigns. Marketing consent is required for push notifications, and the monthly sending limit depends on your package.
How does an automated campaign work, from guest signals to measurement?
In a well-structured campaign, you clarify in advance which guest signals you will respond to, who the message is intended for, and how you will know whether it has achieved its objective. Automated marketing campaigns are therefore not simply about sending messages, but rather a pre-set process, every part of which is linked to a specific guest situation.
- Trigger: choose a guest scenario, such as when a guest is close to receiving a reward.
- Target audience: define which guests belong to this group.
- Message and timing: write a short message appropriate to the situation, and set when the campaign should start.
- Review results: see how the metrics related to the campaign’s objective have performed.
A targeted campaign selects the audience and timing. A push notification, by contrast, is a delivery method, not the campaign itself. Sending a push message requires marketing consent, and the monthly sending limit depends on the package. Treating the campaign and delivery separately helps you to know who the message is intended for and how to get it to them.
Aligning target audience, timing and message
Focus on one clearly defined guest scenario at a time. If the message is a reminder about a reward, briefly state what the reward is or what the next step is. Do not combine multiple offers or different guest groups in a single message. You can also read Penn State University’s summary on the aspects of relevant, personalised communication.
What should you measure after the campaign?
stmpr’s statistics show the number of sign-ups, stamps issued and rewards redeemed. Compare these figures with the campaign’s original objectives. If you sent out a reward reminder, for example, keep an eye on the number of rewards redeemed, but don’t automatically regard a single change as proof of the campaign’s success. Reviewing the metrics can help you decide whether you should adjust your target audience, timing or messaging.
If you’d like to see how a campaign linked to a digital loyalty card fits in with your business, start using stmpr.
How can an automated campaign be relevant, and what do guests worry about?
Automation doesn’t mean sending the same message to everyone without restriction. It’s useful when it responds to a specific guest situation and clearly shows why the guest is receiving the message. Choose a campaign objective and a target audience. This makes the offer easier to understand and allows you to review the results more easily. A successful marketing automation strategy is also built on aligning objectives, audience and measurement.
Campaign examples for a café and a service business
These are illustrative ideas, not actual stmpr client stories. A café, for example, can set up a reminder for customers who are close to earning a reward, without sending the same message to every customer. The stmpr Bronze package includes a reward reminder; tailor the setup details to the campaign you wish to run.
A service provider can use a targeted campaign to reach out to a group of customers who have been inactive for some time, for example with an offer tailored to them. This does not mean that every inactive customer will automatically return. The campaign provides an opportunity for a relevant approach, but the outcome also depends on the guests’ decisions.
Common mistakes that undermine the campaign
Avoid making a generic offer if it is not related to the criterion on which you selected the guest. Only send push notifications if the guest has given their marketing consent. The monthly push notification limit depends on the package: the Free package has none; the Start package allows 1; the Bronze package allows 3; the Silver package allows 10; and the Gold package allows 50 notifications. Do not set an unlimited sending limit.
With regard to guest data collected upon registration, the business is the data controller. Consider what data you are requesting, what you will use it for, and how you will inform the guest about this. This is practical advice, not legal advice.
When is stmpr a good choice for automated marketing campaigns?
stmpr is the right fit for your business if you want to manage guest campaigns linked to a digital loyalty card. It is not a general customer management system, but a digital loyalty card based on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, which guests join via a QR code. Before making your choice, consider whether you need a one-off message, a targeted campaign or a pre-set reward reminder.
- Manually sent one-off message: you choose the campaign duration and audience, then launch it separately.
- Targeted campaign: aimed at a specific group of guests; you can set the audience and timing within the campaign.
- Automated reward reminder: linked to a pre-defined guest notification, so you don’t have to send a separate message each time.
Campaign features vary by package. The Bronze package includes a reward reminder, whilst the Silver package includes 3 and the Gold package includes 9 automated campaigns. There is no monthly push limit in the Free package; the Start package has 1, the Bronze package has 3, the Silver package has 10, and the Gold package has 50. Marketing consent is required for push messages. Please also check whether your planned campaign and delivery method are available in your chosen package.
What features and limitations should you check?
The appearance of the Wallet card may vary by device; how it is displayed is managed by the Wallet provider. Before you start, review the card on the devices you’ll be using and make sure that the reward, the stamp conditions and the message are easy to understand.
How can you get started without making any risk-free promises?
Start with a simple loyalty card. Set clear stamp collection criteria and a reward that guests can easily understand. Then keep track of sign-ups, stamps collected and redemptions. These can help you gauge how the programme is performing, but on their own they do not prove that a campaign caused the change. You can plan your launch with our guide to setting up a loyalty card scheme. Any calculations are estimates; they do not guarantee results or promise an increase in revenue.
Build a campaign based on guest reviews
Automated marketing campaigns work best when they respond to a specific guest situation. Choose a goal and a target audience, draft a short, relevant message, then see how many sign-ups, stamps issued and rewards redeemed you’ve had. The results will help you refine the campaign, but they do not guarantee that guests will return or that revenue will increase.
stmpr is a digital loyalty card based on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Guests sign up using a QR code, without needing to download a separate app. The system is designed for targeted and automated guest campaigns linked to the loyalty card, not for general customer management. When sending push notifications, bear in mind marketing consent and the monthly sending limit included in your package.
Start with a simple loyalty card, with clear stamping conditions and straightforward rewards. Then choose a campaign and refine your guest communications based on the feedback.
Even a small, well-thought-out step can help you stay in touch with your guests more consistently. Start with what’s most useful for your business right now.
Frequently asked questions about automated campaigns
What is an automated marketing campaign?
An automated marketing campaign is linked to a pre-set condition. When a specific guest scenario is met, the campaign can be triggered for the selected audience at a set time. This differs from a one-off message, which you design and launch for a specific occasion, such as to communicate an offer. Automation does not mean sending messages indiscriminately, nor does it mean that every guest receives the same message.
How do automated campaigns work in the stmpr system?
For a campaign, you select the guest scenario and the target audience, then specify the message and the timing. For example, you can specifically target those who are close to earning a reward. The targeted campaign determines who receives the message and when. The push notification is one of the delivery methods, not the campaign itself. The available campaign features depend on your package, so please check the entitlements for your chosen package when planning.
Does the guest need to download a separate app for the Wallet card?
No, guests do not need to download a separate stmpr app. The stmpr digital loyalty card can be saved to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet once the guest has scanned the QR code and joined the programme. The card will then appear on their phone. A member of staff can scan the QR code displayed on the card to add a stamp or process the redemption of a reward. The Wallet card is a loyalty card, not a means of payment.
Can push notifications be sent without marketing consent?
No, you should only send push notifications to guests who have given their marketing consent. Make it clear how you will use the data provided upon sign-up, and handle consent with care. With regard to guest data collected upon sign-up, the business is the data controller. This is general information and does not constitute legal advice. Before sending, also check that the specific push notification feature is available in your chosen package.
How many campaigns and push notifications are available, and how can you measure the results?
The number of campaigns and the monthly push quota depend on the package. The Bronze package includes a reward reminder, the Silver package includes 3 automatic campaigns, and the Gold package includes 9 automatic campaigns. There is no monthly push limit in the Free package; the Start package includes 1, the Bronze package 3, the Silver package 10, and the Gold package 50. stmpr’s statistics show connections, stamps and redeemed rewards, but do not guarantee business results.
