Birthday Congratulations - Automated Push Notifications
Overview
Birthday Congratulations is an automated push notification system that sends personalized birthday wishes and special offers to customers on or before their birthdays. By automatically celebrating customers' special days, you create emotional connections, drive birthday visits, and show customers they're valued beyond transactions.
What Birthday Congratulations does:
Automatically sends birthday messages to customers
Triggers at a customizable time before their birthday (e.g., 3 days before)
Delivers special birthday offers or gifts
Creates memorable positive experiences
Drives birthday month visits and celebrations
Operates completely hands-free once configured
Unlike manual birthday campaigns that require you to identify and message birthday customers individually, Birthday Congratulations runs automatically, ensuring no customer birthday is forgotten and every customer feels celebrated.
Before You Begin
Requirements:
Active Perkstar account with push notification access
Loyalty card(s) created and issued to customers
Customer birth dates collected in customer profiles (critical!)
Customers with installed cards on their devices
Birthday offer or gift to mention in message (optional but recommended)
Critical requirement: Birth date data Birthday automation only works for customers whose birth dates are stored in their profiles. Without birth dates, customers won't receive birthday messages even if automation is enabled.
Tip: Make collecting birth dates a priority during signup, in-store registration, or via email campaigns requesting profile updates.
Why Birthday Messages Matter
Emotional Connection and Loyalty
Birthdays are special:
One day per year customers expect celebration
Creates strong emotional response when remembered
Shows you see them as individuals, not just transactions
Builds relationship beyond typical business interaction
Psychological impact:
Being remembered feels personal and valued
Birthday acknowledgment strengthens brand affinity
Creates positive association with your business
Customers remember businesses that remember them
Statistics show:
Birthday messages have 481% higher transaction rates than regular promotions
74% of customers are more likely to engage with birthday offers
Birthday emails/messages achieve 342% higher revenue per recipient
Customers spend 15-25% more during birthday month
Business Benefits
Revenue impact:
Birthday offers drive visits during celebration time
Customers often bring friends/family (higher ticket size)
Birthday month customers spend more than average
Creates predictable monthly revenue opportunities
Customer retention:
Strengthens loyalty and emotional connection
Reduces churn through personal touch
Differentiates from competitors who don't celebrate birthdays
Increases lifetime customer value
Word-of-mouth marketing:
Birthday surprises get shared on social media
Customers tell friends about special treatment
Creates positive brand stories
Generates organic marketing content
Operational efficiency:
Completely automated—no manual tracking needed
Scales effortlessly with customer base
Consistent experience for every customer
Works 24/7 without oversight
Benefits for Customers
Feeling valued:
Business remembers their special day
Receives personalized celebration
Feels appreciated beyond purchases
Strengthens emotional connection to brand
Exclusive birthday benefits:
Special offers or free gifts
Reason to celebrate at your business
Share experience with friends/family
Creates birthday tradition
Understanding Birthday Congratulations Automation
How It Works
The automated workflow:
System monitors customer birth dates in customer profiles
Countdown begins to each customer's birthday
Specified days before birthday (your configured timing, e.g., 3 days before)
Birthday push notification sends automatically to customer's device
Customer receives birthday wish on their lock screen
Customer can visit to redeem birthday offer (if included in message)
Completely hands-free:
No manual birthday tracking needed
No risk of forgetting customer birthdays
Consistent messaging for every customer
Automatic annual recurrence (same customer next year)
When Birthday Messages Trigger
Trigger condition: X days before customer's birthday
Triggers when:
Customer's birth date is in your system
Configured days before birthday arrives (e.g., 3 days before)
Customer has installed card
Customer profile has complete birth date (month and day minimum)
Does NOT trigger when:
Customer's birth date is not in system/profile
Customer deleted or uninstalled card
Customer profile has incomplete birth date data
Birth date field is empty or invalid
Frequency:
Once per year per customer
Sends every year on the same schedule (X days before their birthday)
Automatic annual recurrence
Annual recurrence:
After sending this year's birthday message, system automatically schedules next year's
No need to reconfigure annually
Set it once, works forever
Birth Date Data Requirements
What's needed in customer profiles:
Minimum required:
Birth month (e.g., March)
Birth day (e.g., 15th)
Format: March 15, or 03/15, or 15-03 (system handles various formats)
Birth year optional:
Not required for birthday automation
Useful for age-specific offers (if you track it)
Many customers prefer not to share year
Data quality matters:
Accurate dates required (wrong date = wrong timing)
Complete dates required (missing day or month = no message)
Valid dates required (February 30 won't work)
Configuring Birthday Congratulations Automation
Step 1: Navigate to Push Automation
Log in to your Perkstar account
Click Push in the left-hand menu
The Push Notifications screen opens
Click the Push Automation tab at the top of the screen
The Push Automation configuration screen appears
What you'll see:
Card selector dropdown at the top
Multiple automation tiles (Feedback, Next Visit Reminder, Birthday Congratulations)
Configuration options for each automation type
Step 2: Select Your Card
Choose which card template to configure:
Locate the Card dropdown selector
Click the dropdown to reveal your loyalty cards
Select the card you want to set up birthday messages for
All your created card templates appear:
"Main Loyalty Card"
"VIP Member Card"
"Downtown Location Card"
Etc.
Why card selection matters:
Single card businesses:
Select your one card
Configure birthday messages once
All customers receive birthday wishes
Multiple card businesses:
Configure each card separately
Different messages for different locations or tiers
VIP card: More generous birthday offer
Standard card: Standard birthday offer
Return to dropdown to configure additional cards
Example: Restaurant with tiered membership
VIP Card: "Happy Birthday! Enjoy a complimentary 3-course meal on us! 🎉"
Standard Card: "Happy Birthday! Your free dessert is waiting! 🎂"
Step 3: Locate the Birthday Congratulations Tile
Once card is selected, automation tiles appear:
Scroll to find the Birthday Congratulations tile (may also be labeled "Birthday Wishes" or "Birthday Messages").
The Birthday Congratulations tile contains:
Enable/disable toggle (top-right corner)
Message field for your birthday wish
Timing field (days before birthday)
"Apply to Cards" field (shows associated cards)
Save button
Step 4: Enable Birthday Congratulations
Turn on the automation:
Look at the top-right corner of the Birthday Congratulations tile
Find the toggle switch or enable/disable button
Click the toggle to turn it ON (usually turns green or shows "Enabled")
Toggle states:
OFF (disabled): No birthday messages will send
ON (enabled): Birthday messages send automatically
When to disable:
Testing or revising birthday offer strategy
Temporarily pausing (if changing offers or promotions)
Seasonal business closure
Want to send manual birthday messages instead
Important: Birthday messages will NOT send unless toggle is enabled, even if message and timing are configured.
Step 5: Compose Your Birthday Message
Write the birthday wish customers will see:
Locate the Message field in the Birthday Congratulations tile
Click in the text box
Type your birthday message
Make it celebratory, warm, and include your gift/offer
Message guidelines:
Character limits:
Optimal: 60-100 characters
Maximum effective: 120 characters
Longer messages truncate on lock screens
Put offer/gift details first
Tone:
Celebratory and joyful
Warm and personal
Generous and appreciative
Creates excitement
Structure:
[Birthday wish] + [Gift/offer] + [Action/validity] + [Emoji]
Effective birthday message examples:
With specific free item:
"Happy Birthday! 🎉 Your free dessert is waiting—visit us this week!"
"🎂 Happy Birthday! Enjoy a complimentary coffee on us today!"
"Happy Birthday! 🎁 Come celebrate with a free [menu item] on the house!"
With discount/percentage off:
"Happy Birthday! 🎉 Enjoy 25% off your celebration meal—valid all week!"
"🎂 It's your special day! 50% off your birthday visit—today only!"
"Happy Birthday! 🎁 Celebrate with 20% off everything this week!"
With points/rewards bonus:
"Happy Birthday! 🎉 We've added 500 bonus points to your card!"
"🎂 Happy Birthday! Triple points on all purchases this week!"
"Happy Birthday! 🎁 Bonus stamps added—your reward is closer!"
Mystery/surprise approach:
"Happy Birthday! 🎉 We have a special surprise waiting for you!"
"🎂 It's your birthday! Come discover your gift today!"
"Happy Birthday! 🎁 Visit us to find out what we've prepared for you!"
Warm and personal:
"Happy Birthday from all of us! 🎉 Your special treat is ready!"
"🎂 Wishing you a wonderful birthday! Celebrate with us—gift inside!"
"Happy Birthday! 💙 We're grateful for you—enjoy your special gift!"
With friend/family incentive:
"Happy Birthday! 🎉 Bring friends and everyone gets 20% off today!"
"🎂 Happy Birthday! Free birthday item + 10% off for your whole party!"
"Happy Birthday! 🎁 Celebrate with us—free item for you, discount for friends!"
Time-sensitive urgency:
"Happy Birthday! 🎉 Free item today only—don't miss it!"
"🎂 Happy Birthday! Valid this week—come celebrate soon!"
"Happy Birthday! 🎁 Your gift expires in 7 days—visit us!"
Exclusive/VIP tone:
"Happy Birthday! 🎉 Exclusive gift reserved just for you—visit anytime this week"
"🎂 Happy Birthday! As our valued member, enjoy a special celebration on us"
"Happy Birthday! 💎 Your VIP birthday reward is ready—we'd be honored to celebrate with you"
What to avoid:
❌ "Happy Birthday. Come visit." (too generic, no enthusiasm)
❌ "ITS UR BDAY!!!! FREE STUFF!!!" (unprofessional, all caps)
❌ Long explanations that truncate: "Happy Birthday! We wanted to take this moment to let you know how much we appreciate your loyalty and..."
❌ Vague offers: "Happy Birthday! Come get something!" (what? when?)
❌ No offer at all: "Happy Birthday!" (nice but missed opportunity)
Emoji usage:
1-2 emojis maximum
Birthday-themed: 🎉🎂🎁🎈🥳💙💎
Place strategically (beginning or end)
Test on actual devices
Step 6: Set Timing (Days Before Birthday)
Choose when birthday message should send:
Locate the timing field (labeled "Congratulation will be sent after setting count days before birthday" or similar)
Enter the number of days BEFORE the birthday when message should send
Consider when customers can realistically visit
Timing field examples:
Enter "0" → Message sends ON their actual birthday
Enter "3" → Message sends 3 days BEFORE their birthday
Enter "7" → Message sends 1 week BEFORE their birthday
Optimal timing strategies:
On birthday (Day 0):
Pros:
✅ Most authentic and personal
✅ Arrives on their actual special day
✅ Clear when offer is valid (birthday = today)
✅ Creates immediate action opportunity
Cons:
❌ Customer may be busy celebrating elsewhere
❌ If they wake up and see it at 8am, offer may expire same day (short window)
❌ May not have time to visit on actual birthday
Best for:
Flexible validity period ("valid this week")
Businesses open every day
Offers that don't require same-day visit
Customers who can spontaneously visit
3-7 days before birthday:
Pros:
✅ Gives customers time to plan visit
✅ Captures birthday week, not just one day
✅ Higher likelihood customer can find time to visit
✅ Reminds them birthday is coming (bonus!)
Cons:
❌ Slightly less authentic (not actual birthday)
❌ Must clarify validity period in message
❌ Could forget by actual birthday
Best for:
Businesses requiring reservations
Offers valid "during birthday week"
Customers with busy schedules
Evening/weekend businesses (gives customers time to plan)
1 day before birthday:
Pros:
✅ Very close to actual birthday
✅ Still feels personal and timely
✅ Gives one day advance notice for planning
✅ Good balance of authenticity and practicality
Cons:
❌ Short planning window if customer is busy
❌ Must clarify validity (tomorrow? this week?)
Best for:
Most businesses (good compromise)
Offers valid "on your birthday and tomorrow"
Casual dining, retail, services
Timing recommendations by business type:
Restaurants (reservations needed):
7 days before - Allows time to book table
Message: "Celebrate with us next week! Reserve your birthday table 🎉"
Casual dining, cafés:
1-3 days before - Balance of planning and spontaneity
Message: "Happy early birthday! Visit us this week 🎂"
Retail, services:
3 days before - Time to plan visit during birthday week
Message: "Birthday week starts now! Visit anytime for your gift 🎁"
Spas, salons:
5-7 days before - Booking appointments takes time
Message: "Birthday pampering awaits! Book your celebration appointment 💆"
Entertainment, events:
5-7 days before - Planning group celebrations takes time
Message: "Plan your birthday celebration with us! 🎉"
Delivery/online:
0 days (on birthday) - Immediate redemption possible
Message: "Happy Birthday! Use code BDAY for free delivery today 🎂"
General guidelines:
Send ON birthday (0 days) when:
Offer is valid for extended period (week/month)
Customer can visit spontaneously
Business is accessible daily
Offer works remotely (online code, delivery)
Send BEFORE birthday (3-7 days) when:
Reservations or appointments required
Customers need planning time
Offer is special/elaborate (big meal, group event)
Weekend/evening-only business (gives customers time to arrange)
Validity period matters:
If sending 7 days before, offer should be valid "all birthday week" or "until [date]"
If sending on birthday, can be valid "today and tomorrow" or "this week"
Always clarify validity in message to avoid confusion
Step 7: Review "Apply to Cards" Field
Verify which cards use this configuration:
The "Apply to Cards" field displays which loyalty cards will use the birthday congratulations settings you just configured.
What this field shows:
Card(s) associated with this birthday automation
Typically the card you selected in Step 2
Confirms settings will apply correctly
Why this matters:
Ensures birthday messages go to correct customer base
Prevents misconfiguration across multiple cards
Helps manage different offers for different card types
If multiple cards shown:
Some systems link related cards together
Birthday settings may apply across card family
Verify this matches your intention
If wrong card shown:
Return to Step 2 (card dropdown)
Select correct card
Reconfigure birthday settings
Step 8: Save Your Configuration
Activate birthday congratulations:
Review all settings:
✓ Toggle is enabled (ON)
✓ Message is celebratory and includes offer
✓ Timing (days before birthday) is appropriate
✓ Correct card(s) in "Apply to Cards"
Click the Save button
Confirmation message appears
Birthday congratulations is now active
What happens after saving:
Settings take effect immediately
System begins monitoring upcoming birthdays
Customers with birthdays will receive messages based on your timing
Works automatically year after year
Important: Configuration only saves when Save button is clicked. Navigating away without saving loses your changes.
Collecting Birthday Data
Why Birth Dates Are Often Missing
Common challenges:
Customers reluctant to share (privacy concerns)
Not asked during signup process
Optional field left blank
Staff forget to request during in-person signups
Impact of missing data:
Birthday automation can't work without birth dates
Lost opportunity to celebrate customers
Competitors who collect birth dates have advantage
Strategies for Collecting Birth Dates
During initial signup:
Online signup forms:
Include birthday field in sign-up form
Make it optional but encourage completion
Explain benefit: "Get a special birthday treat!"
Consider offering immediate incentive: "50 bonus points for completing your profile!"
In-store signup:
Train staff to ask for birthday
Script: "May I have your birthday so we can celebrate with you?"
Tablet/form includes birthday field prominently
Staff explain birthday benefit
Retroactive collection campaigns:
Email campaign: Subject: "Update your profile for a birthday surprise!"
Explain missing information
Request birthday entry
Offer immediate reward for completing profile
Link to profile update page
SMS campaign:
"Want a birthday gift? Reply with your birthday (MM/DD) to update your profile!"
Simple, direct, actionable
In-app/profile update:
Prompt when customers open card: "Complete your profile for birthday rewards!"
One-click to enter birthday
Save and receive confirmation
At point of sale:
"I notice we don't have your birthday—may I add it for your special gift?"
Quick verbal ask during transaction
Add to profile immediately
Incentivizing data collection:
Immediate rewards:
"Add your birthday now, receive 100 bonus points!"
Instant gratification encourages completion
Birthday preview:
"Share your birthday to unlock [specific gift]"
Concrete benefit clearly stated
Social proof:
"Join 5,000 customers who receive birthday treats!"
Shows others are comfortable sharing
Best Practices for Data Collection
Be transparent:
Explain why you're asking
State how it will be used (birthday celebration)
Assure privacy (not sold or shared)
Make it easy:
Simple date picker or dropdown
Mobile-friendly form
Quick completion (under 30 seconds)
Respect privacy:
Birth year is optional (not needed for birthday automation)
Allow customers to decline
Secure data storage
Follow up:
After collecting, confirm: "Great! We'll celebrate with you on [month/day]"
Set expectation for birthday message
Thank them for completing profile
Managing Birthday Congratulations
Editing Birthday Settings
To modify your birthday automation:
Navigate to Push → Push Automation
Select the card from dropdown
Make changes in Birthday Congratulations tile:
Update message content
Adjust timing (days before birthday)
Change offer or gift mentioned
Enable/disable toggle
Click Save
Changes apply to future birthday messages
Changes take effect:
Immediately for upcoming birthdays
Customers whose birthdays are very soon may already have messages scheduled with old settings
All future birthdays use updated configuration
Disabling Birthday Messages
To stop sending birthday congratulations:
Navigate to Push → Push Automation
Select the card from dropdown
Toggle OFF in Birthday Congratulations tile
Click Save
When disabled:
No birthday messages will send
Customers won't receive birthday wishes
Settings remain saved but inactive
Can re-enable anytime
When to disable:
Revising birthday offer strategy
Changing gift/offer and need time to prepare
Seasonal business closure affecting birthday redemptions
Testing alternative birthday engagement methods
Configuring Multiple Cards
For businesses with multiple cards:
Process:
Select Card A from dropdown
Configure Birthday Congratulations for Card A
Save
Select Card B from dropdown
Configure different settings for Card B
Save
Repeat for each card
Each card can have:
Different birthday messages
Different gifts or offers
Different timing (days before birthday)
Different enabled/disabled status
Independent management
Example: Tiered loyalty programme
VIP Gold Card: "Happy Birthday! 🎉 Complimentary premium experience + 1,000 bonus points!"
VIP Silver Card: "Happy Birthday! 🎂 Free main course + 500 bonus points!"
Standard Card: "Happy Birthday! 🎁 Free dessert on your special day!"
Best Practices for Birthday Messages
Offer Strategy
Types of birthday offers:
Free specific item:
Most popular and effective
Easy to understand and redeem
Creates clear value
Examples: Free dessert, free coffee, free appetizer
Percentage discount:
Flexible (applies to any purchase)
Scales with spending
Examples: 25% off, 50% off birthday purchase
Points/rewards bonus:
Rewards loyalty programme members
Encourages future visits too
Examples: 500 bonus points, triple points on birthday
Buy-one-get-one:
Encourages bringing friends/family
Higher ticket size
Examples: BOGO entrée, BOGO drink
Upgrade/premium experience:
Creates special memory
Shows extra appreciation
Examples: Free upgrade to premium service, complimentary wine pairing
Mystery gift:
Creates curiosity and excitement
Flexible (different gifts for different customers)
Requires visit to discover
Choosing your offer:
High-margin items (desserts, drinks) are cost-effective freebies
Loss leaders that drive additional purchases (free appetizer → full meal purchase)
Experiences over products for service businesses
Scalable offers that work for one person or groups
Message Personalization
Include customer name if possible:
Some systems support merge fields: "Happy Birthday, {First Name}!"
More personal and engaging
Test if your system supports this
Reference their loyalty:
"Happy Birthday to one of our favorites!"
"Celebrating you—our loyal customer!"
Acknowledges relationship beyond birthday
Create excitement:
Use enthusiastic language
Multiple exclamation points okay for birthdays (this is an exception!)
Emojis enhance celebratory tone
Be specific about offer:
Don't make them guess what they're getting
Clear description: "free dessert" not "special gift"
Mention validity period
Timing and Validity
Clearly state validity:
"Valid today only"
"Valid all birthday week"
"Valid through [date]"
"Redeem anytime this month"
Balance generosity with practicality:
Too short (same day only): Customer may be busy, miss opportunity
Too long (whole month): Less urgency, may forget
Sweet spot (birthday week): Flexible but still timely
Consider customer schedules:
Weekday birthdays: Offer valid through weekend
Weekend birthdays: Offer valid a few days
Give customers realistic time to visit
Redemption Process
Make redemption easy:
"Show this notification to redeem"
"Mention it's your birthday"
"Show your loyalty card"
No complicated codes or procedures
Train staff:
Recognize birthday customers warmly
Make redemption seamless and celebratory
Add extra touches (sing, special presentation)
Ensure staff know about birthday automation
Track redemptions:
Note which customers redeemed offers
Calculate redemption rate
Measure ROI of birthday programme
Identify most effective offers
Measuring Birthday Programme Success
Key Metrics to Track
Redemption rate:
Percentage of birthday messages that result in visits
Industry average: 15-30%
Track over time and optimize
Revenue per birthday customer:
Average spend on birthday visits
Often higher than regular visits (bringing friends/family)
Calculate incremental revenue beyond offer cost
Year-over-year retention:
Do customers who receive birthday messages renew/return?
Compare retention of customers with vs. without birthdays collected
Long-term loyalty impact
Social sharing:
Monitor social media mentions of birthday experiences
Track photos, posts, tags
Measure word-of-mouth impact
Offer cost vs. revenue:
Cost of free items/discounts
Revenue from visit (often exceeds offer cost)
Calculate ROI of birthday programme
Using Data to Optimize
If redemption rates are low (<15%):
Offer may not be compelling enough
Timing may be off (adjust days before birthday)
Message may not create urgency
Validity period may be too short
If redemption rates are high (>30%):
Great! Current strategy working
Consider testing slightly less generous offer to improve margins
Or keep current offer to maximize customer satisfaction
A/B testing opportunities:
Test different offers (free item vs. discount)
Test timing (on birthday vs. days before)
Test message tone (excited vs. elegant)
Compare redemption and revenue
Troubleshooting
"Birthday messages aren't sending"
Check these critical factors:
1. Toggle enabled:
Push → Push Automation → Select card
Verify Birthday Congratulations toggle is ON
Save if you made changes
2. Customers have birth dates in profiles:
Most common issue
Check customer profiles for birth date data
If empty, no birthday messages can send
Launch data collection campaign
3. Customers have installed cards:
Push only works for "Installed" status
Check customer card status
Non-installed customers won't receive messages
4. Configuration saved:
Verify you clicked Save button
Return to Push Automation to confirm settings persist
5. Birthday timing:
If set to "3 days before," message sends 3 days before birthday
Be patient—upcoming birthdays will trigger messages
Test with a staff member whose birthday is soon
"Only some customers receiving birthday messages"
Likely cause: Incomplete birth date data
Diagnose:
Go to Customers section
Review customer profiles
Check birth date field completion rate
Customers with complete birth dates: Will receive messages Customers with missing birth dates: Won't receive messages
Solution:
Launch birthday data collection campaign (see "Collecting Birthday Data" section)
Email customers requesting profile completion
Incentivize with immediate reward
Make it easy to update
"Customer says message came at wrong time"
Check timing configuration:
Verify days before birthday setting:
Confirm "days before birthday" field
0 = on birthday
3 = three days before birthday
Adjust if incorrect
Time zone considerations:
System may use account time zone or UTC
Customer's birthday at midnight in what time zone?
Check time zone settings in account preferences
Customer confusion:
Customer may expect message ON birthday but you sent it before
Clarify in message: "Happy early birthday!" if sending before
Or adjust timing to send ON birthday (0 days)
"Low redemption rates"
Possible causes and solutions:
Offer not compelling:
Free item may not be desirable
Discount percentage too small
Solution: Improve offer, test alternatives
Validity too short:
Same-day only is restrictive
Solution: Extend to "birthday week"
Message unclear:
Customer doesn't understand offer or how to redeem
Solution: Clarify message, simplify redemption
Timing off:
Sending too early (7 days before, they forget)
Sending too late (on birthday, they're busy elsewhere)
Solution: Test different timing
Competition:
Other businesses also sending birthday offers
Customer overwhelmed with options
Solution: Make your offer stand out, create urgency
Advanced Strategies
Tiered Birthday Offers
Different offers by customer value:
VIP/high-value customers:
Most generous offer
Complimentary premium experience
Shows appreciation for loyalty
Active customers:
Standard generous offer
Free item or significant discount
Rewards consistent visits
New/inactive customers:
Entry-level offer
Smaller free item or discount
Encouragement to re-engage
Implementation:
Requires multiple cards (one per tier)
Or manual birthday campaigns to segments
Configure different automation per card type
Birthday Month Programme
Extended celebration:
Message: "Happy Birthday Month! Visit anytime in [Month] for your gift"
Entire month validity
More flexible for customers
Multiple visit opportunities
Benefits:
Higher redemption rates (more time)
Reduced same-day pressure
Captures customers with busy birthday schedules
Considerations:
Less urgency (may forget)
Potentially higher costs (multiple redemptions?)
Clarify "once per birthday" in message
Progressive Birthday Messaging
Multi-touch birthday strategy:
Week before (Day 7):
"Your birthday is coming! Special gift waiting..."
Build anticipation
Day before (Day 1):
"Birthday tomorrow! Don't forget your gift!"
Reminder
On birthday (Day 0):
"Happy Birthday! Your gift is ready!"
Main celebration
Week after (if not redeemed):
"Last chance to claim your birthday gift!"
Recovery attempt
Limitation: May require manual campaigns for multi-touch approach if automation doesn't support multiple messages per birthday.
Social Media Integration
Encourage sharing:
Message: "Happy Birthday! Share your celebration with us for bonus points! 📸"
Incentivize social posts
Create hashtag for birthday customers
Repost customer birthday celebrations
Benefits:
User-generated content
Free marketing exposure
Community building
Social proof for potential customers
FAQ
Q: What if I don't have customers' birth dates? A: Birthday automation requires birth date data in customer profiles. Without it, messages won't send. Launch a data collection campaign via email/SMS offering incentives for profile completion.
Q: Do I need birth year or just month and day? A: Just month and day are sufficient for birthday automation. Birth year is optional and not required.
Q: Can I send different birthday offers to different customers? A: Yes, if you have multiple card types. Configure each card with different birthday messages/offers. All customers with a specific card receive that card's birthday offer.
Q: Will customers receive birthday messages every year? A: Yes. Once configured, birthday automation recurs annually automatically. Same customer receives birthday message every year unless you disable automation or they remove their card.
Q: Can I limit birthday offers to once per year? A: The automation sends once per year (on or before birthday based on your timing). Enforcement of "one redemption per year" depends on your POS system or staff training.
Q: What if a customer's birthday is tomorrow and I just set this up? A: If you configure today and customer's birthday is tomorrow, they should receive message based on your "days before" setting. If set to 0 (on birthday), they'll receive it tomorrow. If set to 3 days before, they may miss this year's message (already past the 3-day-before threshold).
Q: Can I test birthday messages without waiting for actual birthdays? A: Create a test customer profile with a birthday very soon (tomorrow or a few days away). Issue them a card, configure birthday automation with appropriate timing, and wait for the message to trigger.