30-06-2025
13 Smart Ways To Strengthen Customer Loyalty With ‘Freebies'
Giving something away for free can feel risky for a company. Done thoughtfully and strategically, however, providing 'freebies' can be an effective way for a business to deepen loyalty with its best customers. The key is to make those rewards feel personal, purposeful and tied to the value a brand already delivers.
Whether it's a surprise upgrade, early access or a tailored free service, the gesture should reinforce trust and appreciation, not just trigger another transaction. Below, Forbes Agency Council members share approaches to offering rewards that have been proven to encourage strong customer loyalty.
1. Use Exclusive Rewards To Incentivize Continued Business
A smart approach is to offer exclusive rewards through a loyalty program, where repeat customers earn points or perks for continued business. This creates a sense of value and appreciation, encouraging consistent engagement. Rewarding loyalty builds trust, strengthens emotional connections and turns customers into brand advocates, driving long-term success. - Robert Nikic, Why Unified
2. Reward Repeat Customers Through A Tiered Program
A tiered loyalty program is an effective strategy to reward repeat customers. They earn points with each purchase, redeemable for free products or discounts, seamlessly tracked via a CRM. This approach shows gratitude, drives further engagement and fosters strong brand connections. Compared to subscriptions or referrals, it directly enhances loyalty, making it the optimal choice. - Meeky Hwang, Ndevr, Inc
3. Tailor Free Offers To Customer Behavior
When customers feel valued, loyalty follows. Rewarding repeat customers with free products or services shows appreciation and builds trust. A smart approach is to tailor rewards to customer behavior. Aim to make them personal, not generic. When executed this way, rewards aren't just a gift; they're a relationship investment. - Mary Ann O'Brien, OBI Creative
4. Provide Purchase-Based Rewards Anchored In Values
Loyal customers don't just buy your products, they believe in your brand. They return because of trust, values and connection, not just convenience. That's why building loyalty is so valuable. A smart way to strengthen consumer loyalty is by offering rewards based on past purchases. These unexpected gestures show appreciation and deepen the relationship. - Shane Savage, PATHOS
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5. Foster Community Through Shared Experiences
Brand loyalty predominantly relies on three pillars: belonging, exclusivity and shared experiences within a community. Similarly, these are the core indicators of a community. Community belonging amplifies the benefits of sharing, such as offering free products or services to repeat customers. Balancing customer benefits with the core purpose of the community is crucial for ensuring brand success. - Oksana Matviichuk, OM Strategic Forecasting
6. Use Free Trials To Deliver More Value And Grow Business
For us, offering free services isn't about giving things away—it's a strategy to deliver more value to our clients and grow our relationship with them. For example, when introducing a new service with strong potential for improving results for a client, we use free trials to demonstrate functionality and impact. This often results in them buying the service and expanding their business with us. - Paula Chiocchi, Outward Media, Inc.
7. Trigger Loyalty Loops With Timely, Personal Freebies
Loyalty grows strongest when it's sparked by instinct, not obligation. A free perk offered at the right moment—especially when it feels personal or unexpected—does more than delight. It triggers the deeply human urge to reciprocate. That's where the loyalty loop begins. Reward leads to return, which leads to repeat. Over time, generosity becomes gravity, and the relationship deepens with every turn. - Shanna Apitz, Hunt Adkins
8. Empower Repeat Customers With Tools That Actually Help
At our company, we give high-value digital tools—like tech packs, launch checklists and production budgeting templates—free to repeat clients. These resources are tailored, impactful and help them succeed faster. When a client wins using our tools, they often credit us, and that gratitude turns into long-term loyalty and more business. Rewards work when they actually help. - Miller McCoy, Limitless MFG
9. Do Exclusive Giveaways And Conduct Follow-Up
Bake exclusivity into a giveaway and track which loyal customers take advantage. Create an email campaign for your loyal customer list. Spotlight your giveaway with a personalized email and personalized promo code. This gives your loyal customers a VIP feeling while helping you track, and opens up the perfect opportunity to call your prospects directly to ensure they received their free gift. - Bernard May, National Positions
10. Offer Strategic Audits To Show Your Holistic Grasp
Offer strategic audits that reveal both in-scope solutions and out-of-scope gaps, showing your holistic grasp. Give a taste of the solution so customers feel the value firsthand. This builds trust, positions you as a true partner and creates loyalty without overextending your offer. - Christy Saia-Owenby, MOXY Company
11. Make Customers Feel Seen With Insider-Style Perks
Rewards aren't a gimmick. They're a signal. Smart brands offer perks that feel personal, not just points. Think surprise upgrades, exclusive drops and behind-the-scenes access. It's not about discounts. It's about making loyal customers feel like insiders. When they feel seen, they stay. And they bring others with them. - Lars Voedisch, PRecious Communications
12. Invest In Relationships With Special Offers
Any great relationship is reciprocal. I believe in radical hospitality and generosity. Consider adding something special to a current engagement or inviting existing customers to try out a new product or service for free. Investing in customer relationships is a tried-and-true best practice built upon our human nature. It's more important how you make people feel than what you deliver. - Talie Smith, Smith & Connors
13. Surprise Customers With Unexpected Micro-Rewards
Implement surprise-and-delight moments through micro-rewards based on customer lifetime value calculations. Instead of predictable perks, offer unexpected experiences like behind-the-scenes access or co-creation opportunities. This builds emotional equity rather than transactional loyalty, creating deeper brand attachment. - Vaibhav Kakkar, Digital Web Solutions
