A Beginner’s Guide to Building Reward Catalogs in Karma

Stas Kulesh

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Jun 19, 2025 · 7 mins read

When it comes to employee recognition, saying “thank you” is powerful—but coupling it with a meaningful reward? That’s a game changer. Karma makes it easy to recognize great work, but to take your appreciation to the next level, you need a reward catalog that reflects your team’s values, needs, and motivations.

If you’re just getting started, you might be wondering: What makes a good reward? How do I build a catalog my team actually wants? How do I keep it easy to manage?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of building your first reward catalog in Karma—from understanding the psychology behind rewards to real examples you can borrow today.

Why Build a Reward Catalog in the First Place?

Recognition alone increases employee engagement by up to 23%, according to Gallup. But when you add tangible rewards, you amplify the impact, driving even higher motivation, loyalty, and job satisfaction.

With Karma, rewards are tied to the points employees earn from peer-to-peer recognition. This creates a continuous cycle of encouragement and achievement.

A thoughtfully curated reward catalog:

Step 1: Understand Your Team

Before you start adding rewards to your catalog, take a moment to understand your team’s preferences.

Here are a few questions to consider:

💡 Pro Tip: Run a quick anonymous poll asking what types of rewards would motivate your team. You’ll avoid guesswork and show employees you care about what matters to them.

Step 2: Set a Budget Framework

Karma allows you to assign point values to each reward. To keep things fair and sustainable, it’s smart to assign a dollar value to a set number of points.

For example:

You can then set a monthly or quarterly redemption budget per department or organization-wide. This keeps costs under control while still offering meaningful incentives.

Step 3: Choose Reward Categories

Variety is the secret to a reward catalog that appeals to everyone. Build your catalog around categories to accommodate different personalities, lifestyles, and work situations.

Here are seven great categories to start with:

1. Experiential Rewards

Why it works: Experiences are memorable and emotionally resonant. Especially popular with Millennials and Gen Z.

2. Gift Cards

Why it works: Instant, versatile, and easy to manage. Great for distributed teams.

3. Company Swag or Perks

Why it works: Reinforces brand pride and gives employees something practical.

4. Social and Team Recognition

Why it works: Encourages bonding and culture-building.

5. Recognition-Only Rewards

Why it works: Great for no-budget options. Recognition without spending a dime.

6. Charity & Giving Back

Why it works: Helps values-driven employees feel connected to something bigger.

7. Team Rewards (Contribution-Based Goals)

Let your people pool points toward shared goals and rewards. These foster teamwork, purpose, and collective celebration.

Examples include:

Why it works: These rewards turn Karma into a collaborative experience, not just an individual one. Everyone contributes—and everyone benefits.

💡 Tip: In Karma, you can track contributions to team rewards, display progress toward group goals, and celebrate as a team when it’s unlocked.

Step 4: Add Rewards to Your Karma Catalog

Once you’ve curated your categories and set point values, head to your Karma dashboard:

Go to Settings → Reward Catalog

Click Add Reward

Fill in:

Name & Description (e.g., “$15 Amazon Gift Card” or “Take a Day Off!”)

Image (if applicable)

Point cost

Redemption instructions (e.g., “You’ll receive a digital code within 48 hours.”)

You can also set approval requirements, limit frequency, or make certain rewards seasonal (like a December-only “Holiday Treat Box”).

Step 5: Communicate and Promote the Catalog

Now that your reward catalog is live, it’s time to get your team excited about it!

Here’s how to roll it out:

💬 Sample Announcement Message:

🎉 We’ve just launched our new Karma Reward Catalog! From coffee to custom swag to charity donations, you can now redeem your Karma Points for awesome stuff. Head to your dashboard and take a look!

Step 6: Track, Adjust, and Evolve

Like any workplace system, your reward catalog will need updates over time. Use Karma’s analytics tools to track:

If you notice some rewards collecting dust, swap them out for new ideas. Better yet—ask your team directly what they’d like to see added next.

Seasonal updates, themed collections, and limited-time offers can also keep your catalog feeling fresh.

Reward Catalog Mistakes to Avoid

Even the best-intentioned catalog can fall flat. Watch out for these common mistakes:

🚫 Too few options ➡️ Offer variety so people at different life stages feel included.

🚫 Unclear redemption process ➡️ Always explain what happens after someone selects a reward.

🚫 Unrealistic point thresholds ➡️ Don’t make rewards feel out of reach—celebrate small wins too.

🚫 One-size-fits-all approach ➡️ A digital nomad won’t want office supplies, and a parent may prefer time off over swag.

Final Thought: A Culture Where Appreciation Means More

A well-built reward catalog is more than a collection of prizes—it’s a strategic culture-building tool. When people are recognized consistently and meaningfully—and have the freedom to choose rewards they love—they stay engaged, motivated, and loyal.

Karma gives you the flexibility to make that happen, whether you’re a 10-person startup or a 1,000-person enterprise.

So start small, listen to your team, and evolve over time. You’ll be amazed at how a thoughtful rewards catalog can turn “thanks” into something unforgettable.