Pile on the turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes…and THANKS!

It’s easy for a business to get caught up in the ongoing chase for new customers: so easy, in fact, that many companies often overlook the importance of truly showing appreciation for current clients. This Thanksgiving, before you carve that turkey and safely segregate the kids’ table away from the adults’, corecubed encourages you to create a system that shows some heartfelt thanks to your current client base.  

Your most important untapped resource.

A company’s current client base is its most important untapped business resource. Showing customers your appreciation should be an integral part of a strategic marketing approach. Why?

Because selling more to current clients is far more cost-efficient than bringing in new clients. Satisfied and happy customers are also far more likely to make referrals for your products or services and spread positive word of mouth about their wonderful experiences. These referrals are “marketing manna from Heaven” and can lead to more clients!

Here are 7 easy-as-pumpkin-pie ways to show current clients you are thankful for their business.

Let me count the ways to say, “Thank-you.”

It sounds simple enough, but thank-yous very often go unsaid.  Make clients feel special by thanking them for their support and patronage in as many ways as possible.  Say it over the phone, in your emails or at the point of purchase. Say it sincerely and with a smile.  Say it, and mean it! Your clients are the reason you are in business, and they should know it!

Use a pen and paper.

In our electronic age, writing a personal note with a pen and paper and (outrageous!) sending through the mail might sound antiquated…but it works! If a client provides a referral, send a good, old-fashioned thank-you note.  You will surely stand out from others in doing so.  If the client refers often, then go the extra mile and send an actual gift.  Because the client has been so good to your business, make the gift personal and individual so the client knows his/her thoughtfulness in sending business your way is returned by your thoughtful gift.  

Remind the client that you appreciate and recognize the referrals. Don’t know the client’s personal preferences?  Call the office and ask an assistant or co-worker for some insight into a favorite activity or store.

It's in the cards.

Deal your marketing a good hand by sending greeting cards to clients. There are many holidays that can be celebrated with a greeting card in addition to the standard “Hallmark” ones: New Year’s, 4th of July, Labor Day, etc.  Acknowledge birthdays, anniversaries or whatever events and milestones may be important to them.  The greetings need not be fancy or sparkly, simply sincere.  For a special touch, include a handwritten note.

Make a day of it!

Holding a Customer Appreciation Day does more than thank your current clients.  A successful Customer Appreciation Day also introduces your neighborhood and potential new clients to your business.  Throw a pizza party or host live music.  Offer a free same-day bonus service.  If you are coordinating the day with a holiday, offer a theme-related perk.  

We once heard of a tax return business that threw a wildly successful Customer Appreciation Day by having a pizza and punch party at lunchtime and parking a company-branded NASCAR racecar in front of the office.  It attracted curious onlookers, new and current clients and even a bit of local media attention.

Roll out the red carpet.

You don’t literally need to lay a red carpet down, but if you expect a returning client to stop by, show the client he/she is a company superstar! If you have a billboard, bulletin board or electronic scroller, add his/her name and a welcome message!  It feels really good to walk into a place of business and have them welcome you in such a public way!

Details make the difference.

Take the time to learn about your clients.  Really knowing your clients can be the biggest thank-you of all.  This means being aware of their likes and dislikes and the things that are meaningful to them. Knowing what matters to them shows that THEY matter to you.

If a client mentions a love of brownies over casual small talk, then the next time you want to say thank-you, have a bakery deliver brownies with a thank-you note.  If you learn that a customer’s eldest child recently graduated from college, send a gift magazine subscription with a good luck note.  If you hear a client’s loved one is ill or in the hospital, send flowers or another thoughtful gift. Learn who your clients are and you will have insight into how to build long, meaningful, professional relationships with them.

Discount when appropriate.

Discounting is a debated practice.  Many professionals feel that offering a discount to clients devalues the service or product. However, when done appropriately, it’s certainly a good way to show specific clients they are appreciated and important.  Consider providing a discount for long-term maintenance service agreements or for repeat long-term customers.  

Because repeat clients eliminate the time (and ultimately money) that is expended when trying to obtain new clients, offering a discount to them is appropriate and demonstrates that their repeat business is valued.

If you need assistance with creating a customer appreciation system for your business, let corecubed help. Our team of seasoned experts can help you craft a campaign that integrates with your current marketing efforts and shows your clients just how much they are valued. We can also create the accompanying correspondence materials such as postcards, greeting cards or e-cards that can be used to communicate your thanks.

corecubed.com
800-370-6580 ext. #1
info@corecubed.com
© 2008 corecubed