Thanksgiving is a time where many of us are reminded of all the things we’re thankful for. But take a moment to really think about your customers — where would you be without them? Let them know how much you value their business with one or more of these ten easy ways to thank your customers:
- Send them a handwritten note telling them how much you appreciate them. We all know how quick and efficient email is, but go the extra mile and dust off your old pen and paper. Nothing communicates sincerity like a handwritten note, and your customers will appreciate the thoughtfulness. Print your logo or letterhead on blank correspondence cards for a professional touch.
- Give them the recognition they deserve. Recognition is more or less a form of free publicity, and companies always appreciate publicity. You can mention them on your website or in a publication, or Tweet about what great customers they are.
- Invite them to open houses and other special events. Make it clear that they are being invited because they are valued customers and you want to thank them by including them in these special events.
- Value their feedback. Set up an idea exchange to solicit customer feedback. Then, make sure you show that you value their feedback not just by thanking them for it, but by implementing their ideas and suggestions into future product features and letting them know about it. Also, having a designated client advocate periodically check in with customers to see how they’re doing and if they have any problems you can help solve is a great way to make your customers feel included and valued.
- Acknowledge when they are good to you, and apologize when they’re not. If your customers blog or Tweet about you, pay attention to what they are saying. If it is positive, thank them for the compliment. If it is negative, investigate the situation and be prepared to apologize and rectify whatever issue they might be having. Don’t think of negative comments as an assault on your company; rather, think of them as opportunities for improvement. Let your clients know that you hear their frustrations and are doing something about the situation.
- Send them a little something nice. A birthday card or holiday greetings are time-tested customer appreciation strategies that have become par for the course. But what would your customers do if they received something more personalized, like a gift card for their neighborhood coffee shop or a paperback book by their favorite author? These are small gestures that communicate more than just appreciation for your customers — they’re evidence that you pay attention to conversational cues and clues about them as an individual, and that you see them as more than just a number.
- Give them the inside scoop. One great way to thank clients that will also benefit your own company is by giving them the inside scoop about new features and products. Ask them to test your Beta releases so they’re the first to get to try your latest and greatest features. They feel valued, and you get crucial customer feedback while your product release is still in the developmental stages. It’s a win-win situation.
- Offer special deals, discounts, and opportunities to your most valued customers. A lot of companies give their best offers only to new customers; once they’ve got you hooked, you don’t get any more special treatment. Turn this logic on its head and start thinking of what sorts of special deals or perks you can offer to your established customers. This strategy not only thanks your clients, but in many cases it will win their continued business.
- Share helpful information with them. Best practices and white papers contain lots of valuable tips and information that most customers find quite useful. Share any and all information with clients if you feel they could benefit from it. They will appreciate it, and it’s a great excuse to touch base or stay in contact with your customer base.
- Give them special access to the experts. Thought leadership webinars, when someone who is an expert in the field or at your company gives customers advice, are a great way to do this. Another way is to get an industry expert to periodically write guest blog posts.
Happy Thanksgiving from MarketingAutomation.net!
