As Thanksgiving approaches, ringing in the holiday season, it’s a good time to think about how you can show gratitude for your customers. After all, without their business, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy life as a successful entrepreneur.
Offering thanks to customers can be a good way to let them know they are appreciated — and create a connection with them. Here are some ideas that can help you show gratitude for your customers:
Write a Thank-You Note
This seems very basic, but it’s one of the best ways to show gratitude for your customers. Write a sincere and personal thank-you note to your customers. Depending on the size of your business and how many customers you have, it might not be practical to send a thank-you note to everyone who has ever frequented your business. However, you can identify your top 20% of customers and send them notes. This will have a positive impact and keep those connections strong.
Give a Book
Consider giving your customers a book as a thank-you. You can provide your customers with an interesting book that you found useful in your business. This can be a good way to express appreciation to your top customers. It’s even more personal if you include a personal note with the gift.
Treat Your Customers
You can show gratitude for your customers by treating them every once in a while. Come to the office of a customer with treats for everyone, and then listen to some of the concerns and ideas of the customer. This shows that you care, and that you are interested in serving your customers better.
Another way to treat your customers it to take them out for breakfast, lunch, or coffee when you’re in the area. If you travel to an area where you know that you have customers, connect with them and meetup. You can buy, and show that you appreciate their business. Plus, it’s a fun way to connect in person, building bonds that create loyalty.
Offer an Upgrade or Value-Add
If you have loyal customers, you can surprise them with an upgrade or a value-add for free. This can be a good way to up your service, and thank your customers for sticking with you. You do need to be careful with this move, however, because it can lead to extra work that you might not have time for. Be careful about who you provide this service for.
Share a Promotion
This can be a way to show gratitude for your customers on a wider basis. Choose a promotion that all of your customers can take advantage of, such as 25% off, or a free gift when they come in. You can connect your promotion to social media, send it out in an exclusive newsletter, or just announce it in general. If you have a loyalty program you can connect it to that program. The more exclusive you make it seem to your customers, the more special it will feel to them.
When you show gratitude for your customers, you open up opportunities for better satisfaction and better long-term relationships.
