Buzz Points, the program that helps build customer loyalty and engagement by connecting local businesses, community financial institutions, and consumers through rewards, has launched a mobile app for iOS that lets Buzz Points users purchase, manage, and redeem local points and offers from their mobile devices. It also gives them the opportunity to explore new local businesses anywhere Buzz Points operates.
Buzz Points is a free service that allows financial institution customers to earn rewards while supporting the local economy by using their debit and/or credit cards for everyday shopping.
The Buzz Points mobile app is available to individuals nationwide who are enrolled in Buzz Points through their financial institution. To date, Buzz Points is available in 32 markets and 24 states with a continually expanding network of thousands of local merchants. Among its innovative features, the app utilizes geo-targeting to identify and recommend local merchants enrolled in the Buzz Points program, which permits users to earn and use points not only in their own local market, but throughout the country as they travel.
“Buzz Points users are savvy consumers who seek to support the local economy and discover local merchants and businesses, no matter where they are in the United States,” said Jay Valanju, CEO of Buzz Points.
The new app features a split screen with map and list view and the Discovery Feed, the main source for the user, enables them to discover new local businesses, rewards, and special offers near them. It also features and exclusive offer directory, a rewards directory that lets users save rewards to either to Apple Passbook, or easily accessed in-app through the Buzz Points secure wallet.
Through eLoyalty cards, each time a Buzz Points user swipes his or her enrolled debit or credit card at participating local businesses, he or she receives an eLoyalty “punch.” Similar to a conventional loyalty punch card, these transactions count toward a reward for repeat visits.
Loyalty360 caught up with Buzz Points CEO Jay Valanju to discuss his innovative company.
How will Buzz Points impact a company's customer loyalty and engagement initiatives?
The Buzz Points program is driven by customizable incentives that local businesses use to engage new and existing customers. Local businesses can attract new customers by creating exclusive offers that are targeted towards Buzz Points members who are nearby and those that shop at competitors. Exclusive offers are redeemed by being printed out or simply displayed on the Buzz Points mobile App when visiting a local business.
Buzz Points members earn points anywhere, anytime they use their Buzz Points enrolled card and local businesses can set a high point multiplier to attract customers by making spending money at their business more attractive and beneficial.
Points can be instantly redeemed for eRewards, which are cash vouchers to local businesses. Buzz Points members redeem instantly online or via the Buzz Points mobile app.
The final Buzz Points incentive, eLoyalty cards, virtual punch cards that reward customers for frequent visits to a local business. The local business owner decides how many punches are required, the qualifying purchase amount, and the reward. Buzz Points then tracks the rest, alerting customers when their card is complete. eLoyalty cards are a great way for local businesses to reward their most loyal customers.
What small businesses that have used Buzz Points to build engagement?
Crimson Spa and Saloon in Fort Atkinson, WI, is a popular spot for using points. Buzz Points members redeem an average of five eRewards a week at their business. Nova Jiongco, the spa owner says her favorite element of Buzz Points is the “free marketing” they receive when customers choose to redeem points at the salon.
Buzz Points will often do giveaways at a local business as part of an enrollment campaign for the financial Institution. Recently, Eastern Treasures in Wichita Falls, TX, was featured as part of this contest with $150 gift certificate given to a newly enrolled Buzz Points member.
What prompted the creation of Buzz Points?
Buzz Points saw an opportunity to innovate in the financial institution industry with the ability to use big data in a way it hadn’t been used before - matching consumers from a Financial Institution to local businesses to provide a next-generation platform to create a mutually beneficial environment. Buzz Points drives non-interest income for the financial institution and allow merchants to compete against big box retailers in ways that were previously impossible.