6 Proven Strategies to Keep Customers Coming Back

It’s no secret—keeping your current customers happy is far more profitable than constantly chasing new ones. But with endless options at their fingertips, how do you make sure your customers keep choosing you?

Here are 6 proven retention strategies used by fast-growing brands.

1. Incentivize Subscriptions

Smart subscriptions create reliable revenue and long-term engagement.
✅ Citizens of Soil rebranded from “Subscribe for refills” to “Join the club” — increasing both conversions and customer connection.
✅ Kloo Coffee dropped shipping fees and added exclusive perks like gifts and early product access. The result? Happier customers and improved margins.

Tips:

• Make the subscription feel like an exclusive experience

• Offer value beyond the product (recipes, samples, surprise bonuses)

2. Carve Out a Niche

Broad messages often fall flat—go deep instead of wide.
✅ Guru Energy zeroed in on runners after data revealed a strong product fit in pre-workout use. Partnering with local run clubs helped them engage authentically.

Tips:

• Use purchase and usage data to spot high-value customer groups

• Align your marketing with specific communities to build trust and authority

3. Reward Customer Spending

Loyalty programs encourage repeat purchases and boost LTV.
✅ Liquid Death gives points for reviews, referrals, and engagement—redeemable for exclusive merch.
✅ Jaxon Lane launched a points-based system where customers earn rewards for purchases and referrals.

Tips:

• Start simple: earn points, redeem for discounts

• Highlight savings clearly to motivate action

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4. Appoint Brand Ambassadors

Turn real fans into your best promoters.
✅ Jaxon Lane focuses on people who genuinely love the brand—whether they’re influencers or passionate customers.

Tips:

• Offer perks like free products, affiliate links, and early access

• Use tools like Shopify Collabs to manage creator partnerships efficiently

5. Host Unique Events

Events strengthen relationships and create memorable brand moments.
✅ Waterboy flew 12 loyal customers to Cabo to say thanks—not influencers, but real fans.
✅ Liquid Death hosted VIP lounges at major festivals with free product, tattoos, and brand experiences.

Ideas to Try:

• Virtual workshops or webinars

• Launch parties, community meetups

• Customer-exclusive trips or giveaways

6. Ask Questions (and Act on Them)

Feedback is a goldmine—if you use it right.
✅ Birdy Grey gathered insights via social polls and reviews to shape products and messaging.
✅ Kloo spent a year interviewing customers to refine product, pricing, and packaging.

Tips:

• Use surveys, emails, polls, and interviews

• Share the improvements made—customers love knowing they’ve influenced the product

Bonus: Add Personal Touches

A little effort goes a long way.
✅ Their Jewelry includes handwritten thank-you notes in every order.
✅ Jaxon Lane surprises loyal buyers with gifts and custom notes.

Small gestures that matter:

• Personalized emails

• Surprise samples

• Free shipping for repeat buyers

Retention isn’t magic—it’s method. Whether it’s offering a meaningful subscription, building a rewards program, or just saying thank you, creating loyalty takes intention. These brands aren’t just selling—they’re building communities that customers want to stay part of.

P.S. Have a great retention tactic of your own? Hit reply and share it—we might include it in our next edition!

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