Here in the United States, we’ll be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday this week. I LOVE Thanksgiving. I love how it’s a holiday about appreciating family and friends without gifts. I love how it’s about taking a moment to look around and take stock of all you have in your life. It’s a good holiday.
It’s a great time to consider how you say thank you to your customers, too. There is a great list of 50 Creative Ways over on the Vocus blog. I wanted to highlight a few favorite examples I’ve discovered from various types of businesses.
1. A residential rental company in Oxfordshire, England, offered a free tour bus to its residents randomly to say thank you. They rented a full, double-decker bus and worried about filling it. After inviting the residents, they were pleased to fill the bus and help them learn more about where they live. This is such a wonderful way to offer something useful and fun, as well as help the residents connect with each other. Love it!
2. QuiBids offered free shipping for three days to thank customers for sticking through some site changes. While it’s a nice idea, 3 days seems limited, but free shipping is something online customers appreciate.
3. Stash Co, specializing in hand-made bags and luggage, appreciates customers the old-fashioined way – by handwriting notes to them. It’s a wonderful, personal touch in an all-too- automated world.
What are ways you can thank your customers in sincere, surprising ways? It doesn’t have to cost much – just your attention. As customers, we appreciate feeling appreciated. What are the best ways you’ve been thanked as a customer?
Photo credit: hellojenuine via Creative Commons license
