Everyone wants to feel appreciated, your customers included. Often as business owners, we’re so focused on driving new business that we take our current customers for granted. Your current customers are your foundation, but beyond that a happy customer is more likely to recommend your business to others and to keep coming back for more.
There are a few simple things you can do to show your customers you care. Use some of these tips from our upcoming Constant Contact webinar Appreciating Your Business & Your Customers to show your current customers how much you value them.
1. Handwritten Notes
There’s something to be said about the use of time and effort put into thanking someone. We’re all starved for time and resources- so when someone sees that you’ve used your time on THEM, it means a little bit something more. Hand written notes do take time, they take effort…There’s a reason your mother made you sit down and write a hand written note for birthdays, graduations, etc. It shows personality, it shows mood and allows us to make a personal connection. Now if you DON’T have the time, or your handwriting simply looks like chicken scratch you can HIRE someone to do so. Find a local artist, or maybe one of your clients with that kind of talent, to do it for you.
2. Make a Donation
You can also give donations in honor of or in the name of your clients, customers or members. You can donate to local charities and send a custom card to clients to let them know about the donation. Providing a donation makes them feel like they are a part of a community, that your organization gives back and gets involved and that it allows them to participate without having to do any of the work.
3. Spontaneous Surprises
Spontaneous surprises are always a fantastic way to show that you care.
Surprise gifts
Find a website (Etsy.com or Google “bulk gifts”) where you can filter by cost and bulk order from handcraft artists. Think about attending local craft shows in your area that feature these types of vendors. OR again, you can use your customers and their talents/products to gift your other customers!
After Hour or Invite Only Events
Whether you want to offer some additional services at extended hours, an exclusive after hours party or you just want to host a networking mixer for your customers, offer a party or event exclusive for the customers you work with. Allow them to kick back relax and enjoy who you are as their trusted professional.
Coffee
Who doesn’t love a good cup-of-joe? If you’re in the area where you can meet customers face to face for a cup of coffee, do it! There is nothing like a good face to face interaction to build a relationship with those who know and trust you the most.
4. Personalized Messages
Personalized messages have the same impact as a personalized email. Customers will feel greatly appreciated when they know you’ve taken time out of your day to speak or acknowledge, them directly.
Create special videos that thank your customers. Feature the work you’ve done, the goals that you’ve achieved but even more importantly it allows you to give your clients a pat on the back, emphasize the goals they’ve accomplished and they see you do this all within a matter of 90 seconds. You can send a personalized messages with staff GIFs (animated or looped images) from photo-booths or personalized swag/gifts. Communicate and distribute these “thank yous” using email marketing using a tool like Constant Contact for easy automation.
5. Customer Shout-Outs
Last but not least consider featuring your customers, clients or members by giving them “shout outs” … (Click) showcase the things that make them unique. Show off the one client that you’ve helped become successful. Share customer testimonials or spotlight members that have gone above and beyond. Turn them into case studies and examples. It really makes them feel like they’re being rewarded which encourages them to continue what they’re doing, and motivate others to try something new (this also showcases some of the other services/products/programs that you may provide that your customers weren’t aware of!)
These tips are just the beginning – don’t miss our Appreciating Your Business & Your Customers webinar on August 15, 2018 for even more ways to show your customers you care.
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