Launch Your Community Card
You’ve laid the groundwork. Your Community Card webpage is branded and live, merchants have activated and are appearing on your map, and you’ve secured a sponsor and/or bulk purchaser. Now it’s time to prepare for launch.
Week 4 is all about visibility, coordination, and momentum.
What should be in place before launch?
Before launching, you should have:
A fully branded Community Card webpage
Activated merchants showing on your map
Merchants informed and ready to process Community Card purchases
Social, press, and promotional materials prepared
How should I promote my Community Card webpage?
Make sure your Community Card webpage is easy to find and widely shared.
Your webpage link should be:
Front and center on your organization’s website
Shared with partner organizations and sponsors
Included in outreach emails and social posts
This page is the primary destination for buyers and supporters.
How many merchants should be live at launch?
You should aim to have 15–20 merchants live at launch, meaning they have successfully run their Activation Cards.
Before launch, confirm that:
Merchants have informed their staff about the program
Staff know how to process Community Card purchases at checkout
Merchants understand how the program works for customers
This ensures a smooth experience from day one.
What should I do with in-store marketing materials?
Distribute your in-store marketing materials to participating merchants and confirm that signage is posted in shop windows to show they are part of the program.
To help spread the word even further:
Provide merchants with one or two social media posts to share
Offer a short email they can send to their customer mailing lists announcing their participation
Merchant amplification is one of the most effective ways to build early awareness.
Should I have bulk purchases or BOGO programs ready?
Ideally, yes. Launching with:
A buy-one-get-one (BOGO) promotion, and/or
One or more bulk purchases through the Rewards Hub
creates urgency, excitement, and early volume. Even a single partner can significantly boost launch momentum.
What should my social media plan look like?
Your social media posts should be:
Personalized with your Community Card name and branding
Featuring merchants who are live at launch
Ready to publish across Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
If possible, queue posts ahead of time to cover several weeks following launch. Templates are provided to help you get started.
Should I send a press release?
Yes. Use the press release template provided and customize it for your community.
Share it with:
Local news outlets
Bloggers and community publications
Business and economic development organizations
Community Card programs are popular, positive local stories and often receive strong coverage.
How do I keep momentum going after launch?
Launching is just the beginning. After launch, continue to:
Onboard additional merchants
Post regularly on social media
Connect your Community Engagement Manager with potential bulk purchasers and sponsors
Consistent activity keeps awareness high and helps your program grow over time.
Need Help?
If you need support at any stage, contact us at support@yiftee.com. We’re here to help you launch successfully and keep the momentum going.
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