Thanking clients for their business is not only a nice thing to do, but it’s good for business. It leaves clients with a good feeling about you and prompts them to reflect on your value as a resource to them. A definite win-win. You appreciate them and they appreciate you back. And while some businesses go all out with client appreciation dinners and events, particularly around the holidays, sometimes those expensive endeavors just become one more holiday obligation that can really push the budget, rather than have the personal impact you’d hoped. Here are ten innovative, cost-effective and memorable ways to deliver your appreciation:
1. Give something on your client’s behalf.
Giving is part of our social responsibility program. We’ve done this every year since we opened for business, most often through Heifer International — first a cow, then a sheep, some ducks, and even a hive of bees. We’ve given to a local domestic violence center, to a literacy program, and to plantabilliontrees.com to commemorate Arbor Day. The idea is to choose an organization that you can link to a specific message or to your overall mission. Our clients still thank us for including gifts in their honor to these worthy causes.
2. Send a creative or amusing postcard or emailer.
Send something that will make your clients feel appreciated and think of you. For a postcard, use an online resource like Moo, Zazzle or Tinyprints to upload your own image, text and logo. For an emailer, use Mailchimp’s design interface to create something that coordinates with your website and brand message.
3. Send a gift with your logo or a unique message on it.
It’s easy with sites online like Cafepress. If you have a corporate slogan, tie it in to your thank you message on a t-shirt, travel mug or water bottle. Don’t feel overwhelmed by designing it. Stick with a clean, bold type message. Even something as simple as sending a button that says, “I’m the best” for your customer to wear that day will make them smile.
4. Send a jibjab.
As their website says, “It’s fun worth sharing.” Just upload a photo of your head, your staff’s heads or even your client’s head and jibjab transforms it into a hilarious e-card featuring you and your staff or clients singing a song or doing a dance. Your client will definitely remember it.
5. Give them a discount.
If they use your services regularly or buy products often, consider giving them a discount for their next expenditure with you. They’ll love it. And you’ll not only show your appreciation, but also ensure some future business.
6. Send a business book.
Give your client a business book that’s relevant to them with a thank you inscription in the front. It’s a more costly option, yes, but it will show that you understand their issues and care about their success.
7. Give a Starbucks card.
An unexpected gift card, even in a small denomination, will be appreciated and can make a customer feel valued. And the surprise of something so unexpected will delight them. Just send it in the mail with a handwritten note, thanking them for their business.
8. Praise them in social media.
If you have something positive to say about a client’s product or service, say it in the form of a testimonial on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn and link to their website. Be sincere and don’t overdo it. Then email them and let them know you just tweeted about them. Don’t make much of a fuss about it; be humble. Just say, “I had a chance to chat you up so I went for it. I hope you enjoy it.”
9. Mention them in your e-newsletter.
If you’re proud of your client, tell your other clients how much. Mention them in your e-newsletter and promote what you think they do so well.
10. Make a video.
If you have a webcam in your laptop, turn it on and tell your client what you want to say. Keep it light and simple. The easiest way is to go to YouTube and click “Record from webcam” or click here. You can record and publish your video message to YouTube with just a few clicks. The instructions are easy to follow. When you’re done, email your client a link to the video with a message that says, “We’ve recorded a special video just for you. It’s a special message to make your day.” If it comes in a personal email message directly from you, they won’t be able to resist.
No matter what method you choose, thanking your clients is a good thing to do. You can do it at holiday time to commemorate the end of the year but remember that no time is a bad time to say thank you. It may be noticed more if you do it at another time of the year like springtime or before summer vacation time.
Now, before you go, we want to thank you, too, for reading our newsletter. 🙂
— Chris Quinn, principal and brand strategist
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