Whether you are a small business with a handful of clients or a large corporation, customer appreciation is an important consideration. Showing your clients that you value them and thanking them for their business can go a long way to creating brand loyalty, particularly if you find a unique and personal method to show your gratitude. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
#1. Give Them A Gift
Everyone loves to get a present, especially one that is useful and well thought out. Consider a hamper at Christmas time, a gift card, a free sample or a box of cookies. Branded corporate gifts can also be well received, particularly if you select a handy item like a reusable coffee cup, a good quality pen, USB on a keyring or sturdy golf umbrella. Your recipient will appreciate the gift and be reminded of your firm each time they use it.
#2. VIP Programs or Events
Make your best clients feel extra important by creating a VIP group or customer loyalty program. You could offer them early access to an exciting new product launch, a free upgrade on their service or a special discount. Some businesses hold VIP events to celebrate their loyal patrons. If you can surprise or delight your clients, then they are more likely to tell their friends and family about your company. Remember, word of mouth is still the best type of promotion, so anything you can do to encourage personal recommendations is worthwhile!
#3. Listen to Their Feedback
Give your clients as many opportunities as you can to provide you with feedback, and then show them how you have used their contributions to improve your service. This satisfies two objectives: to refine your customer service and better your product and to show your clients that you value them.
It is essential to demonstrate that you attach a great deal of importance to their views. You could personally contact the client to thank them or use email campaigns and social media to announce the changes.
#4. Personalized Service
From remembering your client’s names to sending them a handwritten thank-you note, personalized service is a powerful tool. Imagine checking into a hotel and finding a card with a list of fabulous local breakfast cafes, or a new dinner hotspot to check out. It would be even more powerful if you had enquired over the phone about local Zumba classes and they had printed you out a list.
Large companies like Spotify have automated this process, using the music you listen to and creating a “Discover Weekly” list to add value to the customer experience. You can also use marketing automation to tailor information and offers based on the customer’s demonstrated interest and clickthrough history.
#5. Proactive Customer Support
Strong customer support shows your clients that you care about their satisfaction with your products, rather than just making a sale. This could mean that you put together some helpful product comparisons to assist customers in making a purchase decision on your website. Post-purchase, you might send regular emails with hints about how to use the product or service most effectively and provide answers to frequently asked questions before the customer has a chance to wonder. An easily accessible customer service line or online portal is also essential.
Remember, your clients are your most important stakeholders, so invest some time in strengthening your relationship with them. Customer appreciation goes a long way to ensuring that you will get repeat business and word of mouth recommendations.