Digital rewards are taking over people’s lives for various reasons. Rather than standard gifts and experiences, digital services can offer many more positive qualities and could even be classed as luxury, depending on what you are working with. These appeal mostly to tech-savvy youngsters, but even middle-aged and older computer users are reaping the benefits. From exclusive content to less materialism, here are some common examples.
Instant Gifting Gratification
With digital rewards, you can access the things you have earned immediately. This could be in-game currency or real-world money you have been paid for work. For example, as an online freelancer, you might be paid upon completion of work submissions, meaning you don’t have to wait for a cheque to clear. You can also take advantage of instant delivery of e-gift cards, which you can use for online services such as Amazon vouchers or video game platform credit.
Digital Rewards Can Provide Exclusives
A reliable marketing tactic brands use today is scarcity, which capitalises on younger generations’ FOMO. There are over 3 billion gamers in the world, and video game marketers use specific tactics based on FOMO and fan sentiment that provide digital rewards to gamers:
- Brands create a sense of urgency and prestige with invite-only online events.
- They also offer private previews of new games for the community and influencers.
- Limited-time “drops” of digital in-game items are also popular on platforms like Twitch.
A Seamless Experience
Where brand engagement was once a one-way street, we now have multiple engagement methods that brands are capitalising on. Omnichannel marketing is a powerful way for luxury consumers to build relationships with brands that want their attention as much as possible, and across various touchpoints. This includes online, smartphone apps, and in-store, to bridge the gap between discovery and fulfilment in as few, pain-free steps as possible.
More Engaging Immersion
When is a physical experience in second place? Today, consumers can interact with products and services in ways never before possible through augmented reality and virtual reality (AR and VR). Through these technologies, the entire experience can be elevated to something more and applied to anything. From digital shopping for luxury items like cars to buying a new home, AR and VR transport buyers into an engaging experience from the comfort of home.
Emotional Connection through Digital Rewards
There are around 5.7 billion social platform users worldwide, and using some of their features, such as community spaces, can add more positivity to your life. However, some platforms offer digital rewards that allow consumers and brands to connect emotionally.
Mistplay
Miustplay is a popular app that lets users earn gift cards for online retailers like Amazon and Uber Eats by playing mobile video games, which can be pretty engaging.
Swagbucks
Users engage with brands in many ways today, but primarily online. Swagbucks offers digital rewards for engaging actions such as taking surveys, watching videos, and even web surfing.
Survey Junkie
Surveys are among the oldest methods for connecting with and engaging customers. The web makes this much easier and provides a better experience with platforms like Survey Junkie.
Many online platforms offer digital rewards for your time. Some can be a waste of time, and others are very generous to the point of even becoming a side-hustle. The aim is to engage with customers, and some of the best include Mistplay, Swagbucks, and Survey Junkie.
An Authentic Experience
Authenticity isn’t discussed as much as it should be because it adds an extra layer of satisfaction to luxury. In a world of digital innovation, new technologies such as the blockchain enable the verification and tracking of the provenance of goods, both physical, like vintage cars, and digital, such as NFT artwork. These digital passports also appeal to a person’s ethical side, as they can track the source of goods to build trust and transparency.
A More Personalised Experience
Personalisation is a major buzzword in marketing these days. Savvy marketing teams are leveraging the vast amounts of data available to them and tailoring experiences at the individual level. This guarantees that users are more engaged with digital goods and services, which makes them feel much more bespoke and intimate. This kind of attention to detail was once available only through private, high-end services such as tailors and high-end salons.
Digital Rewards are Less Material
A survey of Gen-Z consumers found that 78% prefer experiences over material goods, including spending on themselves and as gifts. If you are stuck for a gift for a younger person today, there are some digital rewards that they might find more valuable than a gift:
- Experiences such as music concerts and video game downloads are preferred.
- A Gen-Z recipient will also prefer something like a streaming subscription or NFT.
- You can decide what to give based on what they watch on TikTok and YouTube.
Dedicated Online Services
It can feel like you don’t have enough time for most people, and most of us live in a fast-paced world. So, any services you need must be available instantly and without much effort. The beauty of digital services and rewards is that you can access them instantly. Want to watch a romantic movie on date night? Just boot up Netflix! Need a dress for a wedding in two days? AI can measure you up and have one ordered in minutes. This convenience is luxury itself.
Conclusion
Instant gratification and redemption of digital services and rewards are reasons they are being considered a new type of luxury. However, digital rewards and services, such as vouchers, payments,, and exclusives, can also foster an emotional connection with brands through interactive platforms. Of course, in a world where younger generations are more aware of the environment, digital services can also be a much better gift option over material possessions.
