Stand out in a crowd
Five customer appreciation tips
Showing customer appreciation is more important than ever, as customers have more ways to browse and shop than ever before.
In-store, online, review sites and friend recommendations all factor into a customer’s buying decision. Customers also have more options from which to choose, whether it’s supporting a local business, shopping for the best price, or shopping online for convenience.
Here are five tips to show your customers how much you appreciate them:
- Send a handwritten note. It may sound old school, but sending a handwritten note is unique in today’s digital world. It can be a thank you note, a birthday card or a postcard about an upcoming sale.
You could also pick an unusual holiday to promote. Did you know that January 27th is Chocolate Cake Day? February 20th is Love Your Pet Day? Pick an unusual holiday and send a note to your special customers. - Give free stuff. Everyone loves something for nothing. Provide a free upgrade, a discount on a bill or send gift card. Other free giveaways could also promote your business at the same time. T-shirts, koozies or pens emblazoned with your logo are great and inexpensive giveaways to loyal customers.
- Share knowledge. Communicatie with customers and show your expertise. Whether it’s through a newsletter, a blog, posts on Facebook or Twitter, or in person, customers love information about what they’re buying.
You’re the expert on your product and service, so share your knowledge to help educate your customers. By adding that extra bit of knowledge ,customers feel like they’re getting much more than just what they purchased. - Profile a customer. If you have customers who are also running a business, why not include a profile of them in your newsletter or on your website or Facebook page? This helps you highlight the profiled customer and shows other customers how your product or service is helping another business succeed.
- Make them feel like a VIP. Make your frequent, loyal customers feel even more special by giving them the VIP treatment. Try hosting an invitation-only event. If you have a physical store, provide early VIP-only access to your open house or vent.
Entertain customers with live music or provide complimentary drinks or other treats. Another option: give them access to an exclusive online sale or surprise them with a gift card to a local coffee shop or restaurant.
This article was written by Kathy McGovern, director of Product Marketing at Vertical Reponse, an online marketing company.
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