If you’re running any kind of advocacy or referral program, you know the cookie-cutter approach rarely works. Advocates aren’t all the same, and treating them like they are is how you end up with bored users and wasted effort. If you’re using Deeto and want to actually make your advocates feel like you see them, not just their contact info, this guide is for you. We’re going deep on customization—what matters, what’s fluff, and how to wrangle Deeto’s advanced features without getting lost in the weeds.
Why Bother Customizing Advocate Experiences?
Here’s the short answer: People are busy, and unless you give them a reason to care, they’ll ignore your requests. Personalization is the difference between an advocate program that hums along and one that sputters out.
But don’t get sucked into hype. Customization isn’t about fancy widgets or sending more emails—it’s about making your program fit them, not just you. Deeto gives you tools, but knowing which ones to use (and which to skip) is the real trick.
Step 1: Map Out Your Advocate Segments
Before you touch a single setting in Deeto, figure out who your advocates actually are. Not all referrals or testimonials are equal, and neither are the folks giving them.
What to do:
- Make a quick list of the types of advocates you have. You might have:
- Power users who love your product
- New customers still skeptical
- Industry influencers with big followings
- Quiet-but-loyal customers who refer privately
- Decide what each group actually cares about. Skip the guesswork—ask them if you’re not sure.
- Jot down what you want from each group. Referrals? Case studies? Social shares?
Why it matters:
Trying to blast the same messaging to everyone is a waste. Good segmentation is the first step to making your customization efforts pay off.
Pro tip:
If you’re new to this, don’t overthink it. Start with two or three segments and build from there.
Step 2: Use Deeto’s Advanced Targeting Features
Now it’s time to get practical. Deeto’s advanced targeting lets you serve up different experiences (and asks) to different groups of advocates. This is where most companies get lazy and settle for “all users are the same.” Don’t be that company.
How to do it:
- Custom Fields:
Tag advocates based on their customer journey, interests, company size, or anything else that matters. Deeto lets you create and filter by these fields—use them. - Dynamic Campaigns:
Build campaigns that only trigger for certain advocate types. For example, only ask experienced users for in-depth reviews, while nudging newbies for quick ratings. - Conditional Messaging:
Set up messages or requests that change based on advocate traits. This keeps things relevant and gets you better results.
Skip this if:
You’ve only got a handful of advocates. Over-segmenting will just tie you in knots.
Step 3: Personalize the Rewards—But Don’t Overcomplicate
Rewards are a touchy subject. Too generic, and no one cares. Too complex, and you’ll spend more time managing the program than getting results.
What works:
- Tiered Rewards:
Offer escalating incentives for advocates who do more. Deeto lets you automate this, so you don’t have to track it manually. - Choice of Rewards:
Let people pick what matters to them—gift cards, swag, charity donations, whatever makes sense for your audience. - Recognition, Not Just Prizes:
Sometimes a thank-you note or a LinkedIn shoutout is worth more than another Starbucks card. Use Deeto’s built-in recognition features to spotlight advocates publicly (with their permission).
What to ignore:
Don’t build a 20-level reward system with badges, points, and leaderboards unless you know your audience wants it. Most people just want something simple and meaningful.
Step 4: Streamline Advocate Journeys with Automation
No one wants to feel like they’re jumping through hoops. Deeto’s automation tools can make the experience smoother for your advocates and save you time.
Key features to try:
- Automated Onboarding:
Set up welcome messages, quick-start guides, or video intros that match the advocate’s segment. - Smart Reminders:
Remind advocates at the right time, based on their activity (or inactivity). Don’t spam—be strategic. - One-Click Actions:
Use Deeto’s links and widgets to make it dead simple for advocates to submit referrals or testimonials. The less friction, the better.
Pro tip:
Test your own flows. If it takes you more than a minute or two to submit a referral, it’s too complicated.
Step 5: Gather and Use Feedback (Don’t Guess!)
You can set up the fanciest advocate experience in the world, but if you never check what’s working, you’re flying blind. Deeto makes it easy to collect feedback—use it.
How to do it:
- Quick Pulse Surveys:
After an advocate completes a task, send a two-question survey about their experience. Make it optional and short. - Open-Ended Feedback:
Give people a place to vent or rave. Sometimes the best ideas come from a single honest comment. - Track Drop-Offs:
Look at where advocates lose interest or stop participating. Deeto’s analytics can show you where you’re losing people.
What to ignore:
Don’t obsess over every minor complaint. Look for patterns, not one-off gripes.
Step 6: Keep Content Fresh—But Don’t Burn Out
Customized experiences are great, but if your advocates keep seeing the same asks and messages, they’ll tune out. Rotate your campaigns, update your content, and kill off anything that’s not delivering.
How to stay on top of it:
- Set Calendar Reminders:
Once a month, check which campaigns are performing and which are stale. - Recycle What Works:
If a particular ask or reward gets good engagement, tweak and reuse it. - Ditch What Flops:
Don’t be sentimental about campaigns that don’t work. Deeto makes it easy to pause or delete them—use that power.
What Actually Matters (And What Doesn’t)
Let’s be honest: Most “advanced features” in any SaaS are more about selling the software than helping you. Here’s what’s worth your time in Deeto:
Worth it: - Segmentation and targeting - Automating routine tasks - Simple, meaningful rewards - Good analytics and feedback tools
Not worth your time: - Overly complex gamification - Chasing every new feature release - Customization for its own sake (if your advocates don’t care, don’t do it)
Wrap Up: Start Simple, Iterate, and Don’t Get Fancy For Fancy’s Sake
You don’t need to use every bell and whistle Deeto offers to run a great advocate program. Focus on making your advocates feel heard and valued, keep things relevant, and make it easy for them to say yes. Start with basic segmentation and a couple of personalized touches, then build from there. Check your results, listen to feedback, and don’t be afraid to scrap what doesn’t work.
Remember: Customization is about making things better, not busier. Keep it simple, keep it honest, and you’ll get more real advocacy—and a lot less headache.