WELCOME TO
BluDot Business Toolkit
What Is BluDot Open Rewards?
BluDot Open Rewards is Richmond’s pilot digital shop-local incentive program designed to help businesses increase foot traffic, engage customers, and encourage local spending during Love Shopping Local Week and beyond.
About This Toolkit
This toolkit is designed for businesses participating in BluDot Open Rewards and provides the resources needed to confidently promote the program to customers. Inside, you’ll find ready-to-use messaging, signage, social content, and point-of-sale talking points to help you maximize your participation and encourage customers to download the free BluDot app and earn rewards.
To support participating businesses, we will also be hosting two virtual information sessions to walk through the program, demonstrate how it works, and answer questions:
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February 2 at 11:00 a.m. Register Here
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February 23 at 1:00 p.m. Register Here
- March 19 at 4:00 p.m. Register Here
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Businesses interested in participating or attending an information session should email ShopLocal@RVA.gov for additional details.
Campaign Launch Email (Internal)
Subject:
We’re Participating in BluDot Open Rewards — Earn 5% Cash Back When You Shop With Us
Body:
Hi everyone,
We’re excited to share that we’re participating in BluDot Open Rewards, a shop-local rewards program that helps support small businesses like ours.
When you shop with us, you can download the free BluDot app and earn 5% cash back on your purchase. It’s an easy way to support local and get rewarded for it.
Here’s how to get started:
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Download the free BluDot app
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Shop with us as you normally would
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Earn 5% cash back on your purchase
Thank you for supporting our business and choosing to shop local. We look forward to seeing you soon!
— [Business Name]
Newsletter/Quick Message Blurbs
Blurb 1: Announcement
We’re now participating in BluDot Open Rewards!
Download the free BluDot app and earn 5% cash back when you shop with us. Thank you for supporting local. [Insert link]
Blurb 2: Reminder
Shopping local has its perks.
Use the free BluDot app when you shop with us and earn 5% cash back—it’s that easy. [Insert link]
Blurb 3: Engagement
Support local. Get rewarded.
We’re a participating BluDot Open Rewards business—download the free app and earn 5% cash back on your purchase. [Insert link]
Monthly POS Talking Points For Customers
February – Love Shopping Local
POS Talking Point: “Thanks for shopping local! You can download the free BluDot app and earn 5% cash back when you shop with us during Love Shopping Local Week.”
✅ Customer Prompt: “Would you like to earn 5% cash back today?”
March – Lucky to Shop Local
POS Talking Point: “You’re shopping local today—nice choice! Download the free BluDot app and earn 5% cash back at participating neighborhood businesses.”
✅ Customer Prompt: “Have you used the BluDot app before?”
April – Fresh Starts, Local Impact
POS Talking Point: “This spring, shopping local really pays off. Download the free BluDot app to earn 5% cash back when you shop with us.”
✅ Customer Prompt:“Want to scan the QR code to get started?”
May – Made Local, Supported Local
POS Talking Point: “When you shop here, you’re supporting a local business. With the free BluDot app, you can earn 5% cash back just for shopping local.”
✅ Customer Prompt: “Would you like to know how to download the app?”
Merchant Association Meeting Script (10-15 Minutes)
Host a kickoff or wrap-up town hall to align merchants, build momentum, and reinforce participation in BluDot Open Rewards.
✅ Brief facilitation guide (5–10 minutes total)
✅ Welcome message from association or corridor leadership
✅ Why BluDot Open Rewards + toolkit overview
✅ Optional merchant shout-out or participation prompt
Sample Script
“Love Shopping Local Week is a chance for us to come together as a business community and encourage customers to support the places that make our neighborhood unique. BluDot Open Rewards helps us do that by making it easy for customers to shop local and earn rewards at participating businesses like yours.
Over the coming weeks, you’ll see simple tools, signage, and messages designed to help promote BluDot in your business and across our corridor. Even small actions—displaying materials, mentioning BluDot to customers, or sharing on social media—can make a big impact when we do it together.
Thank you for being part of this effort to strengthen local businesses and keep our commercial corridors thriving.”
Optional Closing Prompt (Choose One)
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“Who’s already displaying BluDot materials in their business?”
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“What’s one way you plan to promote BluDot this week?”
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“Let’s take a moment to recognize a business that’s helping spread the word.”
For more information, email ShopLocal@RVA.gov.
Social Caption [SAMPLE]
Launch Post:
We’re proud to be a BluDot Open Rewards business!
Download the free BluDot app and earn 5% cash back when you shop with us. Supporting local just got even better.
#ShopLocal #ShopLocalRichmond #SupportSmallBusiness #BluDotRewards #LoveShoppingLocal
Sample Monthly Themes (Calendar Overview)
| Month | Theme | Sample Activity |
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| February (Valentines Day) | Love Shop Local Week | Shop at participating BluDot businesses, earn rewards, and share why you ❤️ your favorite local spot |
| March (St. Patrick’s Day) | Lucky to Shop Local | Highlight a “lucky find” or favorite local business and encourage customers to try something new |
| April (Spring) | Fresh Starts, Local Impact | Promote spring specials or new offerings at BluDot businesses and invite customers to rediscover their neighborhood |
| May (Small Business Month) | Made Local, Supported Local | Introduce your team, share what makes your business special, and invite customers to shop local and earn BluDot rewards. |
