Quick question: What does "Candyland door decorations" have to do with building customer loyalty? Spoiler: More than you think.
Imagine this: You walk into a meeting—you know, one of those fancy ones, with the cold coffee and stiff blazers—half expecting to discuss regular old KPIs. But wham! Instead, you're met with something unusual: giant candy canes, oversized gumdrops, and a doorway decked out like it's straight out of Candyland. No, this isn't a sugar-fueled hallucination—it's T-Mobile doing what it does best: making an unforgettable, sweet impression.
Back in 2018, T-Mobile was tackling a customer churn problem that's so standard in SaaS, it should probably come with the subscription package. They needed to inspire trust, generate hype, and most importantly, keep customers from jumping ship to competitors offering similar deals. So, during their annual Un-carrier event, they decided to do something bold: they gave everyone a big, sugar-dosed slice of nostalgia by creating an immersive, Candyland-inspired experience (complete with limited-time offers behind those candy doors).
And surprise, surprise—people loved it. Not because adults still eat candy with reckless abandon (though I mean, who doesn't?), but because creating a playful, memorable experience suddenly turned everyday customers into brand evangelists. And all because they created a doorway. A delicious, candy-themed doorway.
Walk away from this with a pearl of marketing wisdom: Customer loyalty isn't just about what you pitch—sometimes, it's about how sweet the experience is along the way.
Let's dig into the nitty-gritty, shall we? If you're leading a SaaS product, you're probably familiar with the term "churn rate." If not, don't worry—it's essentially the less fun version of a slasher movie, where customers disappear instead of teenagers. And just like in horror movies, avoiding this isn't as simple as locking the metaphorical door. Spoiler: The customers still get out.
But what's more panic-inducing than losing customers? Not having a plan to win them back. That's where customer retention and loyalty strategies come in handy. The good news: just like trick-or-treaters at Halloween, customers want your goodies. The bad news: you'll have to work a little harder than giving out mini Snickers bars to keep them coming back for more.
Now, what does all this talk of "Candyland door decorations" have to do with customer retention? Everything, my fellow marketers! (Put down that candy, though—we're getting serious). Let's think of "Candyland door decorations" as a metaphor for creating enticing entry points for your customers, ones that are irresistible both in appearance and emotional appeal. Here's the thing: customers love being surprised and delighted—and this doesn't just mean slapping some glitter on a campaign and hoping for the best.
If you're trying to build an unshakable base of loyal customers, you're going to need to think outside the box—or rather, outside the doorway. Here are some effective 'doorways'—or experiences, if you will—your SaaS company can build:
So, here's the truth, sugar-coated or not: it's infinitely easier (and more cost-effective) to retain an existing customer than to acquire a new one. In fact, increasing retention rates by just 5% can increase profits by up to 95%. The math doesn't lie, folks. If 'Candyland door decorations' could symbolize the key to locking in customers, your next priority is ensuring your team has enough candy (er, rewards) to keep them happy while they stay.
Practically, what does that look like?
Brand loyalty and customer retention strategies? We've been there, done that, and gotten the rave reviews.
"We used FAISCO's gamification tools to create an interactive referral program for our SaaS platform and saw a 30% increase in repeat customer engagement within the first month. Gamifying client experiences has been a game-changer for us—no pun intended!" – Juliet M., Marketing Manager
"The fun, interactive gamified experiences FAISCO offers brought a whole new dynamic to our campaigns. It's amazing to see clients stay engaged and even increase referrals after participation in a reward-based activity. Talk about value!" – Tom R., Growth Strategist
Did you know that in just three minutes, you could have a fully-functioning gamified campaign ready to go? That's right. FAISCO lets you create fun and enticing marketing games faster than it takes to unwrap a candy bar.
With ready-made game templates (think spin-the-wheel, prize draws, and other delightful goodies), FAISCO helps businesses boost engagement, improve customer retention, and encourage viral sharing on social media. Plus, every campaign is powered by real-time data and analytics to help you see what's working—and what's not.
In a world where customer loyalty is the golden ticket, why not add a little sweetness to your strategy? FAISCO's tools let your customers unlock rewards, prizes, and—most importantly—a sense of fun.
If you're ready to use the power of games to open more (Candyland) doors, let's get started. Your next adventure is just three clicks away.