Updated: May 2024.
There’s nothing better than knowing you’re appreciated - even if it's from your local plumber or your go-to personal injury lawyer. Each year, on the third Friday of May, businesses celebrate Customer Appreciation Day. And while giving your customers one day of celebration is nice, finding ways to show them how much you care about them throughout the year is an even better idea.
Making your customers feel special is just one way to improve their overall customer experience, which can help boost your brand and help you gain more referrals, better reviews, and lifelong advocates of your business.
Need some help gathering customer feedback and landing new customers? The marketing experts at Scorpion specialize in reputation management and lead generation, and we would love to help. Learn more.
And if you think that you don’t have the time or the resources to create a customer appreciation program, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to demonstrate your customer service skills and grow your business. Here are a few of our favorite customer appreciation initiatives that could help you this year!
1. Offer Exclusive Discounts
Nothing says “We Appreciate You” like free money. Offering a discount to your customer base is a great way to show them your appreciation and get them back in the door for another purchase. This doesn’t work for every business type, but if a discount works for your company, it is another idea that can help show your gratitude and boost your customer relationship.
You could send out a discount on customer appreciation day or set up a recurring email that automatically sends customers an email every six months with a discount.
2. Send a Greeting Card
Most people are used to getting offers and ads in their mailboxes every day. They’re not expecting to get a personalized gift or holiday card from companies they’ve done business with. You may not have access to personal information like their birthday, but you can still send them a greeting card for any holiday you choose. If you’re an HVAC company, you could send a card around Memorial Day wishing them a “cool” summer. These small acts of appreciation can also help with customer retention, keeping your business top-of-mind when they need to hire your services.
3. Plan a Customer Appreciation Special Event
Now, this one takes more planning and money. However, it is a great way to show your clients you appreciate them and boost your brand. If you host a customer appreciation event, you have the opportunity to talk with your existing customers, and those customers are also likely to post about your great event on social media, too - reaching even more potential customers!
You may think you must host a fancy gala with black-tie dress codes, but your customers enjoy simplicity just as much as you. A great customer appreciation event can be a movie premier for a summer blockbuster with 100 of your top customers. Branded swag at these special events can serve as the gift that keeps on giving; it creates gratitude, instills customer loyalty, and creates free promotions for your business.
4. Offer a Referral Bonus
The great thing about customer appreciation initiatives is that they usually lead to more business for your company. A referral bonus or reward program is another great idea. You can reward your happy customers for referring their friends and family to your business. It’s a great way to say thank you. It doesn’t have to be anything substantial, either. A $10 Amazon gift card is a great surprise for telling your friends how much you like your dentist. And it also encourages customers to refer more friends and family. A win-win.
It’s Never Too Late to Say Thank You
Even though customer appreciation day has its own day, you don’t need to wait for the third Friday in May to show your customers some gratitude. You can find small ways to show your appreciation throughout the year. Even a simple email or phone call letting them know you're thankful for their business can benefit your customer relationship. Learning customer stories, remembering their needs, and showing that you can continuously meet them is the name of the game. Running a small business can be difficult at times, and the great customers make everything worth it. Make sure they know that.
At Scorpion, our marketing experts are committed not only to helping you connect with your customers, but also to expanding your customer base so you can run your best business. Contact us today.
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