Dialogue brand communities report front cover

More than half (58%) of consumers aged 25 to 34 say they’d be likely to spend more money on a brand’s products and services if they are part of brand communities, according to a survey we recently commissioned.

Group of young people
This is far higher than the average across all age groups, which was still a creditable 40%, pointing to a tangible return on investment through fostering brand communities across the board.

However, millennials consistently come out as the age group that is most committed to these communities. Some 51% also agree that they are more likely to stick with a brand than switch to competitors if they are part of a brand’s community.

Some 1,200 UK consumers* were surveyed by Censuswide on Dialogue’s behalf, exploring attitudes towards brand community, loyalty and communications, with a focus on the luxury, automotive and travel sectors. The research was commissioned to help brands understand why building effective communities is a valuable tactic in an era when marketers efforts are polarised between hyper-personalisation and mass media broadcast.

When it comes to specifying how important brand communities are in specific industries, 25- to 34-year-olds also lead the way: 57% of millennials think that brand communities are important in luxury; 56% in the travel sector agree and 55% in the automotive sector. The average is 41% for travel, 36% in luxury and 34% in automotive.

Brands that engage their consumers by inviting them to join a community, where they can access exclusive content and interact with other people who buy the brand, are likelier to create long-lasting relationships, according to the survey.

The findings provide invaluable insights encouraging brands to consider the relevance of community-based marketing. Developing a strong brand community can create a viable, long-term support mechanism, increasing the value of existing customers by turning them into advocates, suggesting products or services they like to other people.

"People will stay loyal to brand communities that provide a unique experience, allow us to express our self-concept, and engage us with a meaningful community.”

Dr Charles Seger, University of East Anglia

Other key results include:

  • 37% of all respondents are more likely to stick with a brand than switch to competitors if they are part of a brand community
  • Quality of service turns consumers into brand advocates in the travel sector, according to 41% of respondents
  • Quality of products makes consumers brand advocates in the luxury (44%) and automotive sectors (37%)
  • In luxury, respondents most value discounts and offers from brand communities (47%), followed by invites to exclusive events (25%), receiving exclusive products (22%) and access to exclusive online content (19%)
  • Email is the consumer’s preferred channel for communication with brands, with social media and magazines the next most popular channels.

BC2-768x531Commenting on the report Dr Charles Seger, School of Psychology, University of East Anglia, said: “Belongingness is one of our basic human needs. We are motivated to both assert our group identification and our individuality. Brand communities can allow us to fulfil these motives. People will stay loyal to brand communities that provide a unique experience, allow us to express our self-concept, and engage us with a meaningful community.”

Chris Seaward, General Manager of the Porsche Club GB, added: “Reaching a new lead is an expensive thing for a brand to do. Through a community like the Club, the Porsche brand can connect with people already engaged with the brand, and tapping into this existing community becomes cost effective. There is additional value for members and the brand as enthusiasts are regularly invited to visit the Factory in Stuttgart to see latest designs and development.”

Zoe Francis-Cox, Agency Director at Dialogue, said: “Big data has transformed the marketing landscape. However, as the opportunities for starting a dialogue continue to multiply thanks to an increasing variety of platforms, the quality of conversations is suffering. This is most noticeable when trying to engage millennials.

“Consumers are constantly seeking inspiration and information but over-reliance on tech-focused tools can mean that brands are communicating in a way that is intrusive, blunt and ultimately ineffective. Our research shifts the emphasis from a data-or-nothing approach. Respondents believe, as we do, that the buzz of brand communities cultivates long-term relationships, brand advocacy and boosts sales.”

The Brand Communities report has subsequently been updated, please access the latest version below. 

Brand Communities Report

Contact us

Related articles

Content Marketing Agency of the Year at the CMA Awards

Content Marketing Agency of the Year at the CMA Awards

Read more

Or give these cool blogs a read

See more from the blog
Monetising car membership clubs

Monetising car membership clubs

There’s a growing appetite for membership clubs as a way of connecting with highly passionate...
Read more
Dialogue releases its new automotive report, Electric Vehicles: Brand Loyalty and Communications

Dialogue releases its new automotive report, Electric Vehicles: Brand Loyalty and Communications

EV or electric vehicle marketing requires a very new strategy for car brands. While there are still...
Read more
The best customer retention marketing channels, tools and tactics

The best customer retention marketing channels, tools and tactics

As with other areas of marketing, customer retention marketing increasingly requires a more...
Read more
Content Marketing Agency of the Year at the CMA Awards

Content Marketing Agency of the Year at the CMA Awards

We are very proud to announce that we have scooped three awards at this year's International...
Read more

Dialogue creates award-winning multichannel content that inspires, informs and excites your audience. A team of marketing specialists with skills in print, online platforms, email communications, video creation, digital media and more.

Medium Content Marketing Agency of the Year 2023
Medium Content Marketing Agency of the Year 2022
ALF Sales & Marketing Award Winner 2023
Classic and Sports Car Club Awards
Content Marketing Award Silver
Content Marketing Award Gold
MemberWise Recognised Supplier 2024
Learn more about us