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Business Owner's Playbook - Make Your Rewards Program A Win-Win 🏆

Your guide to creating a successful rewards program using WellnessLiving.

Updated this week

Estimated setup time: 30-45 minutes

Everyone loves feeling like a winner — whether it’s a free class or a small thank-you gift. A well-designed rewards program makes your clients feel recognized while driving the behaviours that help your business grow.

Rewards are more than just a way to thank your clients. You can leverage them to encourage certain behaviours such as leaving reviews, referring a friend, or booking online. Now that’s a win-win.

WellnessLiving makes it easy to launch your program, assign points, and track what’s working. This guide will show you how to build one that’s simple, sustainable, and successful.


🎯 Why Offer Rewards?

A great rewards program:

  • Builds long-term client loyalty 🤝

  • Increases online engagement (e.g. reviews, referrals) 📲

  • Drives repeat bookings and upsells 📅🛍️

Don't just take it from us — listen as Kim Hannan, owner of Sukhino Float Center and Salt Cave, explains why she used rewards in WellnessLiving to boost loyalty and reputation.

Here’s the most important rule: Reward points = real money. When clients earn points, they’re essentially earning money they can spend with you. Clients feel appreciated and are more likely to stay engaged, while your business benefits from increased loyalty and repeat visits.


🛠️ Part 1: Set Up the Structure in WellnessLiving

Setting up a rewards program in WellnessLiving is as easy as 1-2-3. We’re serious – there’s only 3 major steps!

1. Enable the Rewards Program

  • Click the App Drawer > View All > Rewards

  • In the Rewards menu, click the Enable Points page

  • Set the ACTIVATE REWARDS toggle to ON

  • Set the basic program rules (point expiration, max points, etc.)

2. Create Earning Rules

Define the behaviors you want to reward points for. For each action, customize:

  • The number of points awarded for each action.

  • The frequency of action required to earn points (e.g., attending 2 classes per week).

  • The maximum cap of points that can be earned, if applicable.

Consider the amount of effort it takes the client and its impact on your business to help you decide how many points clients should receive for each action. Set point values carefully, just as you would discount prices. 💰

💡 Example earning actions:

Action

Client Effort

Business Impact

Points Given

Why It Works

Booking online

Low

Medium

Small

Builds positive habits

Leaving a review

Medium

High

Medium

Boosts credibility

Referring a friend

High

Very high

Large

Grows your client base

Regular attendance

Medium

High

Small

Builds consistency

👉 You can find an example of rewards points here.

🔑 Pro tip: Check out WellnessLiving reports to pinpoint areas your business could improve on.

3. Set Prizes and Point Value

You’ll define what clients can redeem their points for and how many points are required. Your rewards program should feel generous, but it also needs to make financial sense. A good rule of thumb? High perceived value, low actual cost.

To decide on prize values, it helps to work backwards. Ask yourself “How much is this reward worth to me in dollars?” Here are some examples:

  1. A fitness center wants to offer a branded water bottle that sells for $30. To protect profits, they set the point value high enough that clients need to spend more before they can claim it.

  2. A massage studio includes a $20 hot stone add-on as a reward. Because clients will book and pay for a massage to use it, the studio is happy to offer it at a lower point threshold.

Choose prizes that are exciting to clients but easy for you to provide – like service add-ons, promotional products, or discounts with a minimum spend. Keep an eye on the balance between what you're giving and what you're gaining in return.

👉 You can find an example of redeemable prizes here.

🔑 Pro tip: Start by defining how many points a client earns per dollar spent at your business. This will help guide how many points are needed to earn specific prizes.


🧠 Part 2: Design Your Program Around 3 Golden Rules

Rule #1: Keep It Simple ✅

For a rewards program to be effective, it has to be well-understood by your clients and staff alike. Keeping your rewards program simple ensures consistency and helps clients stay motivated to work towards earning a prize.

  • Choose clear actions and prizes

  • Display earning rules in client emails or in your lobby

  • Label rewards like: “Earn 10 points for every $1 you spend!”

Rule #2: Keep It Manageable 🧾

  • Use prizes that are low cost to you but high value to clients

  • Avoid big dollar rewards unless they require major spend or action

  • Start off small, then scale up as you see fit

Rule #3: Keep It Meaningful 💖

The most successful programs reward more than purchases – they reward client engagement. That means acknowledging the behaviours that matter to both your business and your client relationships.

Client-focused rewards (such as the examples below!) demonstrate your attention to detail and celebrates their progress.

  • Birthday rewards 🎉

  • Sign-up rewards 🎈

  • Milestone rewards 🌟

    • 25, 50, and 100 lifetime visits 🏆

    • 1 year membership anniversary 📅

These small gestures go a long way in building loyalty and emotional connection.


📣 Part 3: Promote It Like a Pro

Even the best rewards program won’t work if clients don’t know it exists! Leveraging communication touch points can help you seamlessly promote your new rewards program.

🧩 In-Studio Signage & Physical Materials

Why it matters: Catch your clients' attention where they’re already looking—your front desk, studio mirrors, or waiting area.

  • Front Desk Sign: Use bold signage with messaging like “Earn Points Every Visit—Ask Us How!”

  • Mirror Decals: Place removable decals in studios, rooms, or bathrooms with reward highlights like “Did you check in online today? That’s 10 points!”

  • Merchandise Tags: Attach reward tags on retail items: “Buy & Earn 50 Points”

👯‍♀️ Staff & Client Conversations

Why it matters: Staff buy-in is key—when your team promotes the rewards program with enthusiasm, it feels personal and exciting.

  • At Check-In: Train front desk staff to say, “You just earned 10 points for showing up!”

  • During Class: Instructors can mention perks casually: “Book online next time and earn rewards!”

  • Consultations or Sales Talks: Mention rewards during service packages or memberships: “You’ll also earn points every time you come in or refer a friend.”

  • During Purchase Transactions: Remind clients if they have points available to redeem: “Would you like to redeem 50 points for $5 off today?”

🔑 Pro Tip: Ensure your staff understands your program well and equip them with a few key phrases to repeat often.

📲 Digital Promotion using WellnessLiving

Why it matters: Digital reminders drive repeat engagement—and WellnessLiving automates much of it for you.

Deliver custom email campaigns (automated or one-time), SMS announcements, and push notifications via the Achieve Client App.

  • Email Campaigns

    • Subject Line: “New Rewards Program – Start Earning Today!”

  • SMS Announcements

    • “Heads up! You now earn points when you book, buy, or refer. Start racking up rewards today!”

  • Push Notifications

    • “Earn 50 bonus points this week only—book your spot now!”

Client Notifications

Mention your rewards program in client notifications such as booking confirmations or welcome messages.

  1. Click the App Drawer > Setup > Notifications > Client Notifications.

  2. Choose the notification you want to update and click Edit [pencil img].

  3. Edit the text to promote your rewards program.

If your business uses the White Label Achieve App, you can display announcements in the Achieve Client App and Client Portal.

💡 For more ideas on how to make the most out of WellnessLiving's automated marketing when promoting your rewards program, check out our Case Study on Sukhino Float Center.

🔑 Pro Tip: Use client types and groups to target loyal clients, new members, or those who haven’t booked lately.


⏳ Part 4: Use Limited-Time Offers to Get The Ball Rolling

If your program is brand new, a limited-time offer can help create quick traction. This not only creates urgency – it also helps “train” your clients to use the rewards program. Once they see how easy it is to earn and redeem points, they’re much more likely to keep going.

Limited-time offers can also be used to strategically boost engagement when needed:

  • Overstocked inventory? Redeem points for a discount on products you want to sell quick.

  • Competing business just opened nearby? Double the points for reviews written in the next week.

  • Short-staffed during the holidays? Create a contest for booking and checking in online.

Make sure to promote these offers through your usual channels: email, social, in-app messages, and front desk conversations. A focused short-term effort can significantly influence your business, especially when it's strategically paired with a growth opportunity.


📊 Part 5: Measure What Matters

After establishing your rewards program, it’s recommended to occasionally review its performance and how it aligns with your business goals. To guide your review, ask yourself…

“How can we make the program easier to find and use?”

Ensure your rewards program is front and center—prominently displayed on your website, booking app, and in your studio or location. Explore new features that may simplify access—like automatic point tracking or push notifications when rewards are available. Regularly revisit your strategy to see if there are fresh ways to highlight the program, such as seasonal promotions, signage updates, or integrating rewards into popular services. The easier it is to find and use, the more likely clients are to engage.

“Have we seen an increase in desired actions?”

Look for patterns. Are clients scheduling more appointments, spending more per visit, or referring friends since the program launched? These are signs your rewards are motivating action, not just sitting unused. Your Reports will help you to track these changes over time.

“Are clients excited about the rewards program?”

Or better yet, ask them! Create a client survey using Forms and offer rewards points for filling it out. Exploring your clients' behaviour and listening to their feedback is your golden ticket to making sure your rewards program is as successful as can be.


🎁 Final Thoughts

A rewards program doesn’t just create feel-good moments — it builds loyalty, repeat revenue, and word-of-mouth growth.

With WellnessLiving, you have the tools to launch and manage a program that feels:

  • Smart for your business ✅

  • Exciting for your clients 🎉

  • Easy for your staff to support 🙌

Start small, test it, and grow it over time. Reward programs aren’t one-size-fits-all — they’re living tools. Stay flexible, adapt based on what’s working, and you’ll keep your clients (and your team) invested.


🤔 Need help? Visit the Help Center or contact our team anytime. 🚀

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