Why Thank You Messages Outperform Traditional Loyalty Programs

Picture this: You just repurchased your favourite shampoo online for the fifth time directly from their app, and two notifications pop up on your phone. 

The first one? “You’ve earned 50 reward points on your purchase, which can be redeemed when the balance reaches 1000 royalty points!”

 
The second? “{First_Name}, Thanks for being an amazing customer, and we’re glad you love our {Product_Name}. There’s a surprise waiting for you when you receive your package  - we hope you like it”.

Now, of course, when you receive this notification, it will be with your actual name and the product you ordered because personalisation tokens are the way to go.

Which message will make you feel valued? 

The Science of Thankyou
Let’s face it - traditional loyalty programs are everywhere. Buy 10 get 3 free, collect points, reach tiers…as marketers, we’ve seen it all and done it all. Don’t get me wrong, these programs work. But we’re missing a crucial ingredient that truly drives customer loyalty – genuine appreciation.

Why does a “thank you” feel so good? There’s science behind it. Research shows that when someone expresses genuine gratitude, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin—feel-good chemicals. When brands trigger these positive emotions, customers will never forget how the brand made them feel. 

Where Loyalty Programs Miss the Mark

Traditional Loyalty programs often feel like a math equation: Spend X amount of money, get Y points and redeem for Z. While this does work, it doesn’t keep their interest, and some might even find these programs.

• Complicated to understand (Quick, how many points do you have in your airline loyalty program?)
• Hard to redeem (Those points that expire before you can redeem them - or you have to purchase for X amount  to be even eligible to redeem those points) 
• Impersonal (Congratulations on saving 2 bucks on your purchase of 10k, using your points customer number 4567) 

Enter The “Thank you” 

This is the moment where the “Thank You’ makes everything just a notch better, and in marketing, that goes a long way in increasing retention. Especially with messaging platforms like OneSignal, which make it so much easier for brands to create meaningful moments of appreciation that feel personal and timely. Here’s how: 

Time it Perfectly

Remember our {First_Name} example? Using OneSignal’s automated triggers, brands can send thank you messages at just the right moment:

• Right after the first purchase
• On customer anniversaries
• When a customer reaches certain milestones
• After leaving positive reviews
• During special occasions 

Make it Personal 

OneSignal’s personalisation and Data Tags tools let you go beyond the “Dear Valued Customer”. You can:

• Reference specific purchases (How’s that Conditioner working with the shampoo?)
• Acknowledge Loyalty Milestones (A year of choosing us - We’re honored)
• Mention local events (Hope our Friz Control shampoo is keeping your hair tame in this humid weather)

Multi-Channel Magic

You know this—your customers aren’t in one place, and neither should your thank you messages be. With OneSignal’s omnichannel capability, you can coordinate your appreciation across multiple channels from just one platform.

• Push notifications for immediate impact.
• Email for detailed thankyou notes
• SMS for personal touches
• In-app messages for active users
  
  

Making it work: The How-To Guide to Thank-You

Now, if you haven’t already used using  OneSignal, you should. And then come back to see how to get started with OneSignal:

1. Set up key triggers for thank you messages
2. Create message templates that feel personal (but can be automated)
3. Use A/B testing to find out what resonates best
4. Track engagement to refine your approach

The Future is Grateful

The future of customer loyalty isn’t about points or complicated reward systems. It’s about making customers feel valued and appreciated. With tools like OneSignal, brands can now create these meaningful moments of connection at scale, turning occasional buyers into loyal advocates. 

A simple “thank you” might seem basic, but when it’s genuine, personalised and well-timed, it's the most powerful loyalty program you can have. 

Ready to transform your customer relationship? Start with a thank you. OneSignal makes it possible. BlueOshan can help you make it a successful operation with OneSignal.