Remember loyalty cards? “Buy 10, get 1 free.”
Or the familiar, “Sign up for 10% off your first order”?
That model of brand loyalty—transactional, incentive-based, and rooted in repetition—once ruled ecommerce. But today, it’s losing its grip.
In our latest podcast episode, “Community in Ecommerce — Is Brand Loyalty Dead or Just Evolving?”, we explore why loyalty looks different in 2025—and how smart brands are shifting their strategies from coupons to connection.
đź‘€ From Discounts to Discord: The Loyalty Shift
The old loyalty playbook leaned hard on email lists, point systems, and VIP programs. It worked when consumer attention was less fragmented and inboxes were still exciting.
But in an era of digital fatigue and trend cycles that move at TikTok speed, consumers aren’t sticking around for 10% off—they’re showing up for meaning, connection, and people they trust.
Loyalty is no longer a transaction. It’s a relationship.
🧠75% of Gen Z Say They’re More Loyal to Creators Than Brands
That stat should stop you in your tracks. Today’s shoppers aren’t just buying what’s trending—they’re following who is trending.
The result? A massive loyalty shift from brands → creators → community.
And it’s showing up everywhere:
- Shoppable TikToks that replace traditional ad funnels
- Discord servers where fans vote on new product drops
- Microinfluencers building affiliate-driven empires through authenticity
If you’re a small brand or creator, this isn’t a threat. It’s an opportunity.
đź’¬ Community Is the New Retention Strategy
Loyalty today is built in:
- The comment sections that feel like group chats
- Instagram Broadcast Channels with behind-the-scenes drops
- Founder DMs that make a customer feel seen
When customers feel connected, they stay. When they feel like part of the story, they share.
The new rule of loyalty? People stick with people.
🔧 Tactics to Build Community-Led Loyalty
Here are a few simple (but powerful) ways to start:
âś… Highlight real customers in your content
✅ Share the messy behind-the-scenes—not just the polished product
âś… Create a private space (Discord, Close Friends, Broadcast Channel)
✅ Invite your audience into decision-making—via polls, questions, beta launches
âś… Partner with creators who already own trust in your niche
You don’t need a massive following—just a meaningful one.
🤔 But There’s a Catch…
Loyalty today is fragile. Because it’s emotional, it’s also more easily broken.
Ghost your audience? Lose their trust. Get called out? It spreads fast.
The solution isn’t perfection—it’s consistency, transparency, and a brand voice that actually sounds human.
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
If you’re building something in ecommerce or creator-land, this episode is for you.
We cover:
- Why loyalty programs are fading
- How creators are earning deeper trust than brands
- Community as the new growth loop
- Real-world strategies to nurture loyal fans
- Why retention is no longer a backend metric—it’s a front-and-center brand strategy
🎙️ Listen to Episode 3: “Community in Ecommerce — Is Brand Loyalty Dead or Just Evolving?”
→ [Insert podcast link here]
🧪 This Week’s Loyalty Challenge:
Try one of these low-lift loyalty experiments:
- DM your top 3 fans/customers and thank them
- Post a behind-the-scenes moment that’s honest, not polished
- Reward your most engaged follower with a surprise gift or feature
- Ask your audience for feedback before your next product drop
And let us know what happens. You can reply to this email or hop in the Discord (link below).
🔮 Coming Up Next…
Next week’s episode is all about discovery-driven commerce.
Forget SEO—today’s shoppers don’t search, they scroll.
We’re diving into why TikTok, WhatNot, and visual-first platforms are changing how (and where) people find what to buy next.
Until then—keep it human. That’s still your biggest advantage.
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đź“Ł Share this post with a fellow founder, brand, or creator
💬 Drop a comment: What’s the last thing you bought because of community?
#ecommerce #brandloyalty #socialcommerce #creatorbrands #communitybuilding