Reward Strategy Guide

Rewards are most effective when they're thoughtfully designed and strategically deployed. This guide covers best practices for maximizing voter engagement, redemption rates, and overall governance participation through rewards.

When to Use Rewards

Not every proposal needs a reward. Use rewards when:

Scenario	Why It Works
Launch a new governance program	First-time voters need an extra push — a reward lowers the barrier to that first vote
Critical business decision	When you need maximum participation, a reward ensures your sample is representative
Seasonal campaigns	Holiday votes, anniversary decisions — rewards add celebration to governance
Re-engage dormant voters	A compelling reward brings back voters who haven't participated recently
Thank your most loyal community	"Winner Voters" rewards create a sense of being on the right side of a decision

Don't overuse rewards — if every proposal has one, the novelty fades. Reserve them for moments that matter.

Matching Rewards to Proposals

High-Stakes Decisions

For proposals that significantly impact your business:

• Use premium rewards (physical prizes, exclusive access) to signal the decision's importance

• Set eligibility to All Voters to maximize participation

• Write detailed email instructions — voters should feel the reward matches the gravity of their contribution

Quick Polls

For lightweight, frequent votes:

• Use simple rewards (discount codes, digital content)

• Keep instructions short — the reward should be instantly claimable

• Consider not using rewards if participation is already strong

Community Building

For proposals designed to strengthen your community:

• Use Event Access rewards to bring your online community together IRL

• Enable Local verification to create a shared, in-person experience

• Consider Loser Voters rewards to show that every voice matters, not just the majority

Reward Value Guide

Engagement Goal	Suggested Reward Value	Examples
Drive first-time votes	Low (5-15% off)	Small discount, free sticker
Boost participation 2-3x	Medium (20-30% off)	Meaningful discount, digital exclusive
Maximum participation	High (free product, event)	Free item, VIP event access, 1-on-1 time
Celebrate milestones	Premium (physical, limited)	Limited edition merch, signed item, naming rights

The best rewards are exclusive. A "10% off" code that anyone can find online isn't exciting. A "only for voters" discount code, exclusive wallpaper, or invite-only event creates genuine value because it's earned through participation.

Writing Effective Email Instructions

The email instruction is the moment of truth — it determines whether a voter actually claims the reward. Here's what works:

Do

• Be specific: "Enter code VOTE25 at checkout on our.store.com — valid until March 31"

• Create urgency: "Valid for 14 days from this email"

• Remove friction: Include the direct link, the exact code, the exact steps

• Set expectations: "Your t-shirt will ship within 5 business days"

Don't

• Vague: "Visit our store for your reward" (which store? what do I do there?)

• Complex: Long paragraphs with multiple conditions and exceptions

• Delayed: "We'll email you separately with details" (send everything in one email)

• Unclear: No deadline, no specifics, no call to action

Combining Rewards with XP

Rewards and XP work best together:

• XP provides long-term engagement (badge progression, governance levels)

• Rewards provide immediate gratification (tangible value now)

• Voters who earn both feel doubly rewarded for their participation

Example proposal:

• XP Reward: 25 XP (contributes to badge progression)

• Voter Reward: "Exclusive early access to our new collection"

• Combined message: "Vote, earn XP toward your next badge, AND get early access to our spring collection"

Measuring Success

Track these metrics to evaluate your reward strategy:

Metric	How to Measure	What It Tells You
Participation lift	Compare vote count on rewarded vs. non-rewarded proposals	How much rewards boost engagement
Redemption rate	Redeemed / Total Claims	Whether voters actually want the reward
Email open rate	Via your email analytics	Whether the reward subject line is compelling
Repeat participation	Do rewarded voters vote on the next proposal too?	Whether rewards build habit, not just one-time action

A healthy reward program shows:

• 20-40% participation lift on rewarded proposals

• 50%+ redemption rate on local rewards

• 70%+ email delivery rate

• Returning voters on subsequent (even non-rewarded) proposals

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why It Hurts	Fix
Rewarding every proposal	Reward fatigue — voters expect it and feel entitled	Reserve for key moments
Vague instructions	Low redemption — voters don't know how to claim	Be specific with clear steps
Overly generous rewards	Unsustainable cost, attracts opportunistic voters	Match reward value to decision importance
Ignoring "Loser Voters"	Minority voices feel unvalued, stop participating	Occasional consolation rewards build trust
Not tracking redemption	No feedback loop to improve	Check the claims dashboard after every campaign

Related

• Overview — How the rewards system works

• Creating Rewards — Step-by-step setup

• Verifying & Redeeming Claims — Managing claims