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.