Let’s play a game.
From Foursquare to Uber, gamification has become an accepted part of how people interact with companies. By reorganizing everyday activities into a game, consumers can engage with a brand in a fun and memorable way.
Whether grocery shopping or working out, a bit of competition and the chance for reward encourages people to forge a deeper connection to a task or company. In fact, people might not even think about it. As a result, it becomes a seamless part of your business experience.
The idea behind gamification is to use various proven elements of games to motivate greater involvement. It can be used to encourage desired behaviors in individuals, whether they be customers, employees, or students. […] It is a motivational tactic that taps into our competitive spirit and drive to succeed by fostering competition and offering convenient milestones.
The Origins and Future of Gamification by Gerald Christians, University of South Carolina
However, you don’t need a large company or app developer. Instead, brainstorm creative ways you can apply gamification to your social media or marketing needs. To get started, think about gamification as it applies to your social media milestones and goals.
Gamification can bring considerable results if:
- The process of progress tracking is transparent
- Talented players are recognized
- People feel valued through real-time feedback
How can gamification help you create a community or gain more followers?
Smaller companies, like a local restaurant or boutique, might want to focus on driving foot traffic. For example, gamification is part of a loyalty rewards system. This can help visitors feel like valued members of your community. Consider adding a reward for folks who help you reach a social media follower goal. Another idea would be sharing a discount codeword with subscribers to your e-newsletter.
Mid-sized companies might want to think about how to get consumers to engage with a product through user-generated content. Think about encouraging followers to enter photo contests, use hashtags, and answer questions for prizes.
(But remember to follow through on promises and have clear rules and regulations. You don’t want to create any legal or ethical issues, especially in relation to privacy or copyright.)
Larger companies could try gamification tools to train employees or cultivate the workplace community. Through a company app or fostered social media engagement, you could turn employees and casual users into brand advocates.
