Building Brand Loyalty Through Ecommerce Content

Most online stores stop talking to their customers after they buy something. Big mistake. The best brands don’t just get customers. They keep them. Here’s a simple, effective post purchase email flow that actually works: • Day of purchase → "You're in!" (Welcome them, confirm they made a great choice, and let them know what to expect) • 1 days after purchase → "How to get the most out of [product]" (Help them avoid buyer’s remorse by showing how to use it properly) • 2 days after purchase → "How others are enjoying the [product]" (Help them spark ideas on how to best use the product) • 4 days after purchase → "Quick tip to make [product] work better" (Solve common friction points before they happen) • 6 days after purchase → "Here's what most people miss about [product]" (Share an insider tip that makes them feel special) • 8 days after purchase → "The results you should see by now" (Set expectations + build confidence) • 10 days after purchase → "Ready to level up your [product] game?" (Introduce complementary products naturally) • 12 days after purchase → "Did you discover this [product] feature yet?" (Keep them engaged + showcase advanced uses) • 14 days after purchase → "Are you loving it?" (Check in. If they’re happy, ask for a review. If not, offer help) • 16 days after purchase →"A quick note from our founder" (Build connection + share your mission) • 18 days after purchase → "Join the [brand] community" (Invite them to your social channels or VIP group) • 21 days after purchase → "You're part of the 1% who..." (Make them feel special + introduce loyalty program) • 24 days after purchase → "Your next favorite thing is waiting..." (Recommend something they’ll love based on what they bought) Most brands forget about their customers after the sale. The best brands don’t. The key? Each email solves a problem or adds value. No random "check out our sale" messages. They focus on them, nurture them, and work towards the 2nd sale. Because the 2nd sale is where you profit. That’s why they win.

The world preaches loyalty, but how many brands actually live it? Last month, I got an invite to something called Summer Smash, 1st Phorm International's invite-only community event in St. Louis. Think three days of HQ tours, private pre-parties, high-energy workouts, rides, and live music from artists like Ludacris, Lil' Jon, Pitbull, and Steve Aoki. The whole thing sells out in under a minute each year. Pure community building at it's finest. I couldn't make it due to personal obligations, but here's what blew me away: they still sent me a surprise box packed with over 10 of their top products (proteins, apparel, energy drinks, protein sticks), plus a handwritten note that felt genuinely personal, not like a marketing ploy. We've gotten so caught up in digital tactics that we've forgotten about the power of high-touch moments that forge actual emotional connections. This kind of follow-through is almost unheard of in today's brand world. Most companies would've moved on to the next person on their list. But 1st Phorm gets something that a lot of brands miss: real loyalty isn't built through campaigns or offers, it's built through experiences that make people feel like they belong to something bigger. That's where lifetime value really takes off. Summer Smash is far beyond just an event; it's the kind of experience that flips the loyalty script entirely, where customers don't just buy, they simply belong. Here's what I think other brands can learn from this approach: ➟ Send unexpected value for no reason. A surprise product or handwritten note shows customers they matter beyond their purchase history. ➟ Build exclusive communities around shared values, not just products. Whether it's in-person events or virtual experiences, give your best customers something they can't get anywhere else. ➟ Create moments people actually talk about. A few hours with A-list talent or behind-the-scenes access beats another discount code every time. ➟ Lead with gratitude, not growth metrics. When thank-you moments drive your strategy instead of the other way around, authenticity follows naturally. The bottom line: loyalty is earned through emotion, experience, and belonging. If your brand isn't building that, you're just another transaction in someone's day. When did you last surprise your customers with something that wasn't even on your roadmap?

Holiday shoppers are like shooting stars—bright, exciting, but often fleeting. The real challenge? Turning those one-time buyers into loyal customers who stick around long after the decorations come down. Chances are you're about to get a significant influx of new customers. Here's how to keep them engaged for the long haul: 1.) Send Customized, On-Brand Post-Holiday Emails The time right after a customer makes a purchase is when their affinity for your brand is at its peak. They're excited about their decision and can't wait to get their hands on your product. So why do so many brands use dry, boring follow-up emails? This is an opportunity to send a personalized message, share tips and tutorials, or surprise and delight them with an exclusive offer. Pretty much anything other than a plain, boring "Thanks For Your Purchase!" email would be an improvement. 2.) Build And Promote A Customer Loyalty Program This may seem obvious, but having a customer loyalty program can do wonders for your repeat purchase rate. Where most brands get things wrong is they cut corners by using off-the-shelf platforms that have bland default settings. This is a time to lean into your customer research and build a meaningful loyalty program that offers customers incentives they actually want in exchange for buying products they actually need. Once you get the terms and offers dialed in, use behavior-based email marketing to keep your loyalty program top of mind and generate repeat purchases on a regular basis. 3.) Create Personalized Offers That Build A Brand Community By now, you're probably sensing a trend – using cookie cutter templates is killing your brand. Don't treat your subscribers and customers like just another transaction. Remember, there's a real person behind that screen, and they're experiencing many of the same wins, frustrations, concerns, and emotions you are. The more you can personalize your marketing messages to their unique situation, the more they'll feel like they're part of a community, not a customer base. Don't sell to them. Make them feel like they're a part of your brand journey. At the end of the day, building customer loyalty is about creating meaningful relationships through consistent communication. Here's your checklist for maximizing the long-term impact of your BFCM efforts: ✓ Make a solid first impression with a personalized post-purchase experience ✓ Create and promote a customer loyalty program that's actually appealing ✓ Treat your customers like members of a community ✓ Use hyper-relevant offers to stay top of mind Do all of this, and you'll not only improve your repeat purchase rate, you'll also recruit a large (and growing!) army of lifelong brand advocates.