Scott Gerber is the founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council, a non-profit organization that promotes youth entrepreneurship as a solution to unemployment and underemployment. The YEC recently launched #StartupLab, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs grow businesses.
Gamification is hot right now. More and more startups and established brands are building mobile apps and platforms that offer awards, badges and other fun ways to reward and recognize influencers. It's a great way to build a community organically around a product or service and impact customer retention.
But like any shiny new marketing strategy, gamification won't necessarily yield more sales -- or better engagement -- unless it's applied thoughtfully, in a way your users can relate to.
I asked a panel of successful entrepreneurs for their best tips for successfully "gamifying" a brand. Below are nine pieces of advice on implementing a game strategy that gets results.
1. People Love Measurements
Once you answer these two questions, you'll be able to come up with some sort of gamification element that gives your customers a measurement. When people have a measurement, they work harder to see that measurement increase. For example, road signs are gamification at its finest; they share the number of miles travelers have left until their destination, which gets drivers antsy to cross that finish line.
2. Gaming Equals Retention
For example, Nike "gamified" exercise by allowing people to track and share their exercise results, such as distance and time spent running. By choosing to "gamify" your product, you are allowing users the ability to become more motivated and participate further with your product.
- George Mavromaras, Mavro Inc. | Praetor Global LLC.
3. Create a Sequence of Badges and Bonuses
This type of sequencing will not only help clients get best results, but get the same sense of accomplishment and pride as advancing to the next level in a game. Completion badges can be awarded and bonuses unlocked along the way to encourage engagement and growth.
- Kelly Azevedo, She's Got Systems
4. Appeal to Your Customers' Competitive Drive
- Christopher Pruijsen, Letslunch.com
5. Promote the Prize
Too many people think that gamification is just another must-have concept, but it is only effective if it is thought out from implementation to reward. Having a high-ranking publicly may be enough for some, but a free vacation may be a better gift if your demographic isn't social media savvy.
- Aron Schoenfeld, Do It In Person LLC
6. Small, Quick Rewards Are Best
Small and frequent is more effective because it helps you stay top-of-mind with the consumer, and you make them feel good because someone is always winning your prize.
7. Create a Community
I recommend identifying ways to truly celebrate your users through gamification, in a way that builds your community to be stronger and more engaging than ever.
8. Encourage Social Sharing
9. Check Your Budget
Your best bet is to enlist the help of a business specializing in gamification, which can provide a toolkit, as well as guidance and support, while setting it up. Another option is to hire a gamification provider to do the work for you, such as Gamify, Big Door or Badgeville.