4 Ways to Guarantee Your Customers Know They are Valued

Never underestimate the business impact of giving people reasons to feel good. Typically, we think of service as purely sales-focused, beginning and ending with the immediate transaction. Widening the view, customer appreciation activities can have a big impact on valuable long-term loyalty, too.

Does it need to be costly? No. Does it need to be consistent? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely!

Of course, appreciation and recognition should be happening “in house,” too. When formal and informal recognition is built into your company culture, it can help you to attract and retain top performers while deepening commitment to your organization. According to a recent study by Bonusly, 82% of employees consider recognition an essential part of their happiness at work.

How do you make sure your customers know they are valued? Here are four ways to express your gratitude and show appreciation.

1.      Send a card. Always thoughtful and often unexpected, a word of thanks is nice after a first, large or repeat purchase, or in appreciation of a referral. While email may be efficient and easy for broad-reaching acknowledgments, nothing tops the touch and feel of a personalized, handwritten note on high-quality stationery or a notecard with your logo embossed or foil-stamped on the front.

2.      Pick up the lunch tab. For top business-to-business clients, offer to send lunch to their location. Take it up a notch with branded promotional products; you can send along logoed, reusable lunch totes, or branded water bottles or travel tumblers. When the time is right, business-to-consumer companies can host an open house, sending an inexpensive postcard to invite loyal customers to a pre-sale event with preferred pricing.

3.      Extend the goodwill. Send a gift of appreciation for a substantial order, referral or an anniversary of your business relationship. A branded crystal candy dish filled with treats, for example, creates an opportunity for your sales team to extend good feelings by refilling it on subsequent visits.

4.      Get personal. If your customer data is robust and includes birthdays, anniversaries or other significant dates, you can build in recognition beyond typical business-related occasions with personalized offers and gifts. Have clients who are into fitness? Pick logoed pedometers or exercise mats to show you know and care.

Looking for more ways to express your gratitude? Contact us today.