You walk into the arcade and there it is: the pinball machine. You, my friend, are #2 on the leaderboard, and today you’re going to reach number one. Quarter after quarter after hey-man-can-you-gimme-change-for-a-dollar quarter, you pump the machine full of money and battle away.
Skeeball, your old friend. Just 300 more points to get two more tickets. 18 more tickets, and you’re eligible for a prize at the snack bar. 85 more tickets and you’re walking out of here with a complimentary beer mug. Sweet!
Arcades thrive on a system of competition and rewards. Your blog can do the same.
You can now reward your visitors for:
- visiting your blog or website
- commenting on your blog
- retweeting an article
- liking you on Facebook
- commenting about you on Facebook
Visitors can earn prizes of your choosing, too! For example, they might earn:
- discounts on your top service pack
- a members-only bonus product
- gift cards to local shops or restaurants
- snail mail surprises
- extra time for their service (10 more minutes of massage or photography, for example)
- free PDF downloads of fantastic information
Meet PunchTab, my friends.
The system is free, fun, and still in the developmental stages — so its developers take feedback and implement it within a short timeframe. It’s easy to install on your WordPress blog with a plugin. (You remember how to install a WordPress plugin, right?)
You can have PunchTab up and running within minutes. One quick note, though: you’ll want to opt out of your own Punchtab leaderboard. 
Feel free to click the ‘Rewards’ ribbon in the upper left of the blog to check it out for yourself, and start earning the prizes I’ve created for your enjoyment!
Of course, I’m really excited about this. I think it’s the bee’s knees and can’t wait to add more items to my catalog. But I’m trying to be all cool and calm instead of geeking out about the possibilities, okay? Just go with it. And get it on your blog now.
Very cool plugin I have just earned 200 points and I guess another 100 for this comment – YAY
p.s. love your blog so I don’t really need to be rewarded, but it’s nice
This seems to be a pretty fun addition to add onto my blog.
Yes! Leader board success.
Thank you for explaining this to me. I have seen these ribbons crop up here and elsewhere, but it didn’t even occur to me that it was a wordpress plugin.
I’m loving this rewards thing! I’m going to win! I’m going to win!
I don’t even need rewards to keep me coming back. I’m here every Tuesday and Thursday! Love your stuff.
Thanks for all the knowledge!
You’re too sweet, Jeanette — but no harm in earning cool stuff, right?
Wow! This is such an exciting idea! Can’t wait to implement it on my blog.
I don’t see a rewards ribbon.
Can’t wait to check it out, though!
What a fantastic idea. I love it. I have a few ideas in mind, but didn’t think they could work, but this will help me implement them.
Also makes me realise there is no such thing as a crazy idea!
) x
this is so cool! I think I am going to have to add this to my site!
I love this idea but I struggle to think of what I can reward people who aren’t in my community with.
Information, lovely! How to hire a photographer, style your photographs, update your existing photos with new ones, choose outfits, etc…oh, and Amazon.com giftcards. Of course…
This is amazing! You always find the coolest WordPress plug-ins!
This is pretty much the coolest thing ever. I have had this idea (kind of) to increase participation on my site and this plug in is just rockin!!! LOVE IT
Seriously, where do you find this stuff?? Love the idea behind it, adding it to my long list of ideas to investigate after the kids go back to school and I have a few extra hours
Thanks for always doing the hard work for me!
Hi Kristen,
I installed Punctab to my WordPress blog the very first day, but I’m sort of at a lost for what to offer? As a photographer, my audience is split between local clients, other photographers, and adoring fans from afar. What could I possibly offer that would be appealing to such a wide audience? Or do you suggest multiple “prizes” for each group?
Thanks much!
I would focus on providing prizes for the peeps who pay the bills.
If you’re looking to sell to photographers, think of info/products for them! For clients, it’s promo items and incentives for your photography.
Sounds like a good plan to me! Okay,question here… how do I access your archives? Right now I’m having to go back page-by-page :/
I’m working on a new archive system, my dear…I realize that’s a bit janky…
I really appreciate you sharing all of these great plugins! I’m going to check this one out.
You always have such awesome ideas! Love this one! Thanks so much!!
I’m loving seeing my points total climb every time I visit. Looking forward to earning that 90 min biz consultation
That sounds really cool, and I love your rewards program. But, I’m still using blogger. Is that really bad?! I need some advice for how to even get started with WordPress. I know there is a difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com, but could really use some easy to follow guidance. :0)
Totally on it in a big way, my love.
Yay, thanks! And I love your blog regardless of rewards, but it is really fun. Makes me feel even more special. I’d love a way to keep my clients visiting and commenting on my blog, and am happy to give them rewards too.
This has got to be the most fun and inventive plug in YET! Also perfect for senior photographers who have Representative programs! Thanks for sharing and implementing it here for us to see it working : )
You always find the coolest shit.
LOL! I’ll be your cool shit finder any day.
This is pretty sweet.
Testing…
Okay, this is freaking cool. You are amazing, Kristen!
LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
I’m so glad someone is out there finding cool stuff for us. Thanks Kristen!
This is one of the best post’s ever! Thank you so much! I just signed up for this and can’t wait to get it all started!!! I am writing a blog post and FB status about this first thing in the AM!
I can really see the benefits of having an incetive for commenting. I’m definitely going to add this plugin to my site as well.
This could be the start of a beeeeutiful friendship.
Thanks for the link, Kirsten. (But you know I’m just commenting so I can see how it all works!)
Thanks for giving us such awesome info! I’m still working on getting my blog put together (Yay for Blog Camp!) and hearing about the possibilities make me super duper excited!!
Loving the punchtab plugin. Thanks Brand Camp.
What a fantastic idea! I love the giveaway function. Its so hard to keep track of what people are actually doing when you run a share/tweet giveaway. Thanks!
Testing, this could be VERY fun
i went to Barren Coller my freshman yr. crazy
Somehow I missed this when you first posted, but I am so glad I found it. What a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing with us
I’ve figured it out, kinda.
Now, I’ll never leave! Lol. Though I would be interested in learning how many points I would need to earn specifically to gain Merit Badge. Had I known, I would have signed up last night! I was stalking your blog super hard. I love it!
5,000 points, Chanell — you’ll be there in no time!
All the more reason to stalk this blog and many others. Hmm I’m pondering how to utilize this for my evil empire of awesomeness.
To earn necklaces, hmm?