What better time to thank your customers than the festive season. After all, they’re the ones keeping your business up and running.
Children wait in anticipation for Christmas ‘cos they know candy is coming their way. For parents, it’s family time. Customers, on the other hand, look forward to getting something as a reward for their loyalty and service.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone thank you for your patronage? Imagine you go to refuel your tank and just before you leave, you’re handed a hamper or a ‘thank you’ card. How would you feel? I bet you’ll want to come back again.
Why? They recognize and appreciate you. After all, isn’t that what we all want?
Now you get the picture, imagine the excitement and love your customers will feel when you thank them. Remember, little acts of kindness goes a long way.
[bctt tweet=”Your customers are the lifeblood of your business” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
Happy customers equal loyal customers.Your customers are your central focus, and without them, you wouldn’t exist! Simply put, your customers are the lifeblood of your business. It’s important you take care of them.
Whether you operate a large business, an SME, or a start-up business, there’re ways you can still thank your customers. In this article, I’ll share with you ways you can thank your customers even with a tight budget.
The festive season is all about giving and receiving. Here are some ways you can thank your customers this festive season:
Thank You Note
Contrary to the belief that ‘thank you’ notes are old-fashioned and out-dated, it’s still as effective as ever. It adds some personal touch. This Christmas, go out of your way and write a thank you note to a customer. A simple note like:
Dear Chris,
The entire team of She Leads Africa would like to thank you for your loyalty and support throughout the year. We look forward to a great and awesome time next year.
Sincerely,
She Leads Africa.
Points to remember when writing a ‘thank you’ note:
- Include personal greetings along with the customer’s name
- Be clear about why you’re thanking them (loyal service, purchase of a product or simply referring a friend to you)
- Leave your business card out, remember, it’s about them and not you
This isn’t the time to talk about special promotions; focus on thanking the customer for his business. Help Scout offers tips on how to write a killer customer thank-you note.
Give them a treat
Who doesn’t like a holiday treat? Looking for a way to thank your customers without having to empty your bank account? Give them a treat. I don’t mean a fancy treat though. You could bake some homemade cookies or get some ‘small chops’ for them.
Everyone likes freebies, and the holiday season is all about giving and receiving. Send them freebies like their favorite playlist, a ticket to see a movie, coupons, their favorite bottle of wine, customized mug, hamper, shirt or notebook, or offer a free month of service the following year.
It’s the thought that matters. After all, customers want to feel loved and appreciated.
Help customers learn something new
Christmas is a wonderful time to hold events, especially if you want to attract prospects and loyal customers to your business. Customers need to feel that you care about them, that you’re interested in them acquiring more knowledge about your product. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate event.
Are you a makeup artist? You can hold regular events or organize free training for your customers. Invite an expert to talk about ‘how to contour your face’ or how to draw your eyebrows.
Do you bake? You could host a training session where you teach them baking tips to spice up their Christmas celebration.
Are you a content marketer? Offer free coaching services on writing killer contents.
You could also host a free webinar or create an eBook, something to boost their knowledge and add to their skill. The more educated they become, the more they’ll appreciate your product.
Give your customers a special feature
A little spotlight wouldn’t hurt. This Christmas, go out of your way and thank your loyal customers.
The idea is to make them feel valued and special and to feel a sense of pride in doing business with you. So yes, put them in the spotlight.
You could decide to write a blog post dedicated to the customer, or include a shout out to them in your email newsletter or on social media. Post their picture on your page, write a bio or a case study.
[bctt tweet=”Surprise a highly engaged customer with a free product and just watch their reaction” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”]
“Wow” one customer
Didn’t see that coming? I know. Want to say ‘thank you’? Pick one customer that really stands out – one who’s purchased several of your products and give a delightful customer service experience.
The idea is to surprise a highly engaged customer with a free product just to watch their reaction.
Host a Customer appreciation day
While this might not be part of your plan this Christmas, you can opt to host a customer appreciation day. We all know what it feels like to be appreciated.
It makes us feel valued, to think that the other person noticed your good work. It’s the same for your customers. While they may not make it clear to you, they want to feel like you see all they do to promote your brand.
Depending on your budget you could decide a dine at a banquet hall, a fancy restaurant, at the park or even your house. Get your customers trooping in! They’ll remember your hospitality and generosity.
Remember, it’s the thought that counts. Having your customers in mind and going out of your way to show it speaks volumes. It improves customer satisfaction, plus, people get to know about your company through word of mouth.
Don’t hold back this Christmas, thank those loyal customers of yours. You’ll be glad you did!
How do you show appreciation to your customers?