Membership Card Templates

Membership Cards: What Are They?

Businesses and organizations issue membership cards to show that a person is a part of a group and is eligible to receive the benefits that only members have the privilege of obtaining. Many establishments incorporate this approach into their marketing efforts to not only reward their customers but also to gain their loyalty. It’s a strategic means of reminding customers of your business through exclusive promos and limited-time offers that you know people can’t always resist.

Five Industries That Benefit from Membership Cards

While loyalty programs may not seem practical for all, we can’t deny the benefits they bring for businesses in every industry. This approach works for various reasons, and it all depends on how well you execute your strategy to engage more consumers. To learn more, let’s discuss how some of the most common industries optimize customer memberships in the section below.

Health & Fitness

Getting fit goes beyond just losing weight. You can change your diet and improve your eating habits all you want, but even that won’t be enough to keep you on the right path to a healthier you. Many studies prove that a proper diet goes hand in hand with an active body. That’s probably why gym attendances tend to skyrocket during the first few months of the year, right when the festive season comes to a close.

But things like this require commitment, which explains why many experts believe in the magic of gym memberships. In a report released by Statista in 2018, fitness centers reached a total of 60.87 million club memberships across the United States beginning from the year 2000. The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) also discovered 183 million health club memberships globally in 2018. The numbers speak for themselves. Apart from motivating customers to workout regularly, gym memberships also help fitness centers and health clubs secure continuous cash flow.

Financial Services

It’s common for financial firms to pair up with local businesses in an attempt to build customer retention. You can gear your membership program toward discount vouchers and cash-back options that you know consumers will find useful. For example, guests who pay with their card instead of cash to book a hotel room can take advantage of the 10% discount that comes with this payment method. It’s a simple marketing strategy that you and your partner can both benefit from.

Food & Beverage

Need your daily caffeine run? Starbucks makes sure cardholders get the VIP treatment with its specialized rewards program. As if free coffee and tea refills aren’t enough, you might even get a free slice of cake for your birthday. Many restaurants, cafés, and fast-food chains offer similar loyalty perks that help draw repeat customers to their establishments. Apart from getting free treats, members can also benefit from convenient payment methods, additional reward points, and personalized newsletters. There’s more focus on giving members the ultimate customer experience that may help increase sales and loyalty to your business.

Entertainment & Leisure

There’s something about being the first to get your hands on an item before everyone else does that entices most consumers. Members of a program can get exclusive access to events, drinks, movie screenings, content previews, celebrity meet and greets, and other freebies that come with the membership. Spotify, for instance, offers ad-free music for its members, along with album previews and special promo codes to concerts and music festivals in collaboration with an artist. Those in the gaming industry may even enjoy early access and discounts for the latest releases in the tech world.

Retail & Wholesale

Have you ever heard about rebates when shopping? If the answer is no, you’re missing out on a sales promotion that could potentially lead to better sales and market visibility for your business. Many brands in the retail and wholesale industry know how important it is for customers to get the best deals in the market. It’s one reason why most companies offer rebates as a part of their membership programs. In addition to that, customers can also use their loyalty cards as debit cards for as long as they have enough points to complete a transaction. You can use this as an opportunity to boost engagement by offering extra reward points for members who take the time to answer your marketing surveys or talk about your brand online.

Why Does Your Business Need a Membership Card?

Many businesses fail due to weak customer retention efforts. That’s because acquiring new buyers can be more costly than trying to engage old ones. It’s no secret that membership cards can be an effective marketing instrument for companies searching for ways to build customer loyalty. And when you’re a frequent customer at a particular store, it only makes sense to yearn for benefits and privileges in exchange for your commitment to the business.

Here are several reasons to use membership cards for your competitive advantage:

Identification: Some membership cards come in the form of photo ID cards to verify the cardholder’s identity. It’s pretty standard among health insurance cards and club membership cards, as strict policies prohibit non-members and falsely identified individuals from gaining access to those benefits. It also prevents unauthorized entry to venues and events. The card can contain information about the holder, the membership level they are a part of, and the perks that come with the specific degree. It’s essential to update these ID cards every few years for proper verification.Loyalty: Membership cards often serve as a reminder that you’re a part of a group or organization. Customers that own these cards will feel compelled to shop at the same supermarket to complete their weekly grocery list and earn points for every item they purchase. Depending on the company’s loyalty system, shoppers will be eligible for exciting rewards that they can avail of in exchange for the points accumulated during a specified period. This scheme can strengthen a buyer’s loyalty to the brand and solidify their connection with the company. Also, have you ever thought of how memberships encourage higher spending?Special Privileges: Besides the benefits offered by your business, you can also give customers the chance to enjoy more privileges from third-party partners. It’s a customer retention strategy that can help your business generate more leads and promote repeat transactions. Think of it as a multipurpose card that allows users to easily access a wide range of items and amenities in one swipe. Added-value services can help you stand above competitors and appeal to a broader audience. And while the freebies and discounts might seem heavy on your expenses at first, your continuous efforts to gather more members will eventually lead to significant returns.Status Symbol: Everyone wants the VIP experience, and it’s surprising how much money people are willing to pay for it. The exclusivity of high-level membership cards often gives a person something to brag about to their friends, family, and even strangers. Plastic cards are like a ticket for the elite that not only gives them a sense of belongingness to a group but also gives the business more exposure through word of mouth. That way, you still get publicity for your business without lifting a finger.Data Gathering: Membership cards can store information about customers and their shopping patterns for businesses to use. This form of data collection is vital for conducting studies that will enable you to identify trends and behaviors affecting sales numbers for the season. You can utilize the data to determine what initiatives to continue and which merchandise garners higher revenue. By doing so, businesses develop a better understanding of their desired audience for future endeavors. Consider this as an opportunity for you to establish stronger customer relationships through targeted campaigns.

How Do You Make a Membership Card?

Whether you want plastic cards, paper cards, or digital cards for your membership program, what’s important is that you know what information is essential for the card to carry out its purpose. You can opt to use a membership card template to get a head start in the design process, as long as you make sure to customize it according to your brand. Although its contents may vary depending on how you intend for it to function, a membership card generally consists of the following data:

About the Organization

Because these are cards designed to market your business, providing information about the company offering the membership only seems fair. It’s one way to highlight your business without shoving it down a person’s throat. Your company name and logo design, website address, and phone number must be visible in the card’s layout. The card design is not something you’ll want to overlook, either, as it can be a vital part of your company’s branding. That should make it easy for users to recognize as they reach out for the membership card at the checkout counter of your store.

About the Member

No two membership cards are the same. Each card comes with a barcode or number for reference to ensure that members can only qualify for their entailed benefits. Details such as the member’s name, birthday, and distinctive signature must also be evident in the front cover of the card. In some cases, you can also add a photo of the cardholder for identification purposes. Ensure that the member’s personal data remains correct, as misspellings and other typos may cause problems down the road.

About the Membership & Its Inclusions

Every business has its own loyalty program that differs from that of its competitor. And since it won’t be possible to list all these perks on the card’s cover, the least you can do is provide a handbook filled with instructions and guidelines along with the loyalty card. It’s best to resist the urge to boast about special rates and discounts if you can easily communicate these in person. The privileges and benefits reflected in the card will depend on what the user is entitled to, as this may vary in terms of status or membership level. It’s also crucial to indicate the card’s terms of use, effective date, and expiration date for validity reasons so that users and store employees will know when the membership is due for renewal.

There are many reasons for your business to start considering the use of membership cards to upscale its customer loyalty efforts. Everyone wants easy access to the finest goods and experiences that only a handful of people have the privilege of enjoying. Being handed a membership card is almost like being given a wealth of endless benefits, so it’s no wonder why customers yearn for it every time. So if you’re looking for a marketing ploy to get people hooked, you might want to consider using a membership card to add value for your customers.