You’re most likely sending out emails, brochures, and promotions with greetings of the season, but what happens after the lights are removed and the tree is packed away? Are you still showing your customers that you appreciate their business all year round? You want to show sincere appreciation for customer patronage and want them to feel valued for making the choice of spending their hard-earned money at your organization.
Here are some suggestions to help convey your warm thoughts of appreciation:
– Be helpful. Share your wisdom and use Twitter or Facebook to enrich people’s lives. Generally as a business owner, you can figure out current trends; use these trends to educate people. Ask your readers as you send out regular emails, what kind of information they want to learn. For instance, if you run a landscaping business, send out updates about seasonal plantings, trends in gardening, herbs, etc. Don’t just promote your product, but give something valuable.
– Take care of your customers and attract new ones. Give or send out coupons with a significant savings to give people a well-appreciated discount. Think about buying some small branded useful gifts to give out as promotions; key chains, cups, coolers, umbrellas, etc. Be a “go to” provider for guides, reports, and information about your industry. If you sell windows and doors, be an informational resource for “green environments” and supply the latest information on tax credits.
– Customer Appreciation Day. Choose a theme to invite clients, customers, and their guests to your store for a special event. A local jewelry store can promote a new designer, and invite customers for wine, cheese, and an exclusive premier of a new jewelry line. A real estate business might present a seminar on mortgages, home inspections, or how to spruce up your home to realize the maximum profit. Promote these events via email, newsletters, or social media.
– Give back. Today our real estate company helped with our local television news station to raise money for the local Quantum House. It helps so many parents and their children. All businesses and organizations should help their community; donate your time, money, and resources to make this a better world we all live in together.
Do these simple tasks again and again; not just at holiday time. Make it a New Year’s Resolution to find out what is on a customer’s mind; listen to what they have to say, and respond and adapt to compliments and complaints. Customers remember, and isn’t that what we want them to do?
photo credit: Holidayextras
