Make this week great, starting with Monday. 🌟Customers and clients are the bread and butter of any successful business. So, it’s important to show them a little love now and then to make sure they know you care.

“Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.” – Hansa Proverb

Learning how to show customer appreciation can sometimes be an afterthought for many businesses. If you’ve already completed services or sold the best product you have, then that should be it, right?

No!

Showing customers and clients that you appreciate them will not only build positive connections, but the next time they need something, they’ll think of the kindness you offered, even after the fact.

Now, I’m going to be completely transparent and admit we’ve not always been the best at this. It’s a muscle I’m learning to exercise right along with you. #themoreyouknow

Here’s how to show customer appreciation, in four easy steps.

Write a thank you note

Thanking your customers in a meaningful way is important whether your business is online or offline. With today’s landscape of digital automation and cookie-cutter emails, a personal note of thanks on real paper makes a big impression.

For online and e-commerce businesses, sending a hand-written thank you note along with whatever product they bought will go a long way. This will show customers that you care about their business and adds a touch of genuine gratitude for their patronage.

For local service businesses, a heartfelt note (and maybe even a photo!) shows that you value your clients.

Again, we don’t recommend automating this step or using it as a thinly veiled advertisement. Just say thanks and make it personal. Scribble a note to be included in the package or use a service like Send Out Cards to quickly send a personal greeting card to your clients.

Give a gift around the holidays

Giving a small gift to your largest accounts or most frequent patrons will definitely solidify yourself in their minds as someone who appreciates them. Many companies will send cases of wine or a high-shelf bourbon, but it’s easy to keep it small and add a holiday card. Show customer appreciation by sending them a gift bag of goodies, a candle, branded T-shirt, or a cool gagdet related to your industry — if it’s consumer-appropriate.

Offer promotions and special services

If you’re rolling out a new product or service, offer a discount and first-use to the customers that frequent your business. Whether it’s a 15% discount code for your online store (we suggest using something like THANKYOU15) or a sneak-peek at a new product that you’re ready to release, give them something special that may not be available to all customers. It’s an easy and low-cost way to show customer appreciation and let them now you care.

Listen to feedback — then improve

No business is perfect, and there’s always ways we can improve. Read your online reviews and find ways that you can be better. Once you’ve identified your short-comings and made the steps to improve, let them know. A simple email-blast with the headline “We’ve Heard You! This is How We Improved” explaining how you’re business is changing to better meet their needs will go a long way. These improvements could be expanded store hours, a new invoice process, better appointment scheduling, or even implementing new payment processing.

Challenge

Take stock of your customers and identify the ones that frequent your business. Send them a promo code or thank you note to show customer appreciation.

Awesome Stuff I Read This Week

Need more customers to thank?

Escape Plan MarketingExpand your customer base and build more connections. Escape Plan offers digital marketing campaigns and online social media management for companies just like yours. Contact Us Today

Let’s grab coffee soon,

Drew Horine
Drew Horine, Founder & Chief Creative