8 Ways to Appreciate Your Customers

Do your customers know that you appreciate them?  

Listening to your customers while making sure they receive excellent products and services is essential to building a long-lasting brand. It’s a year-round job! Any season is a good time for customer appreciation, but during the holidays, taking time out to thank your customers is a nice way to let them know you appreciate them.
What's the best way to do this?  
It depends on your business situation and who your customers are.  Start by thinking about what you know about your customers and what they might value or enjoy, then scan the list below for ideas.  

1. Send a card by direct mail – if you have an extensive customer list, this non-invasive method of appreciation works well in a world where people get too many emails. The card may also help refresh their awareness of your business. 
2. Give an unexpected reward  – if you are in the retail or service industries, you can email or mail VIP specials, include small extras with invoices, or surprise them with "customer appreciation" discounts given at checkout.
3. Write a note – if the majority of your business comes from a few customers or clients, a thoughtful handwritten note can make a very positive personal impression. 
4. Give a book – is there a book that has been especially helpful to you?  If your customers are other business owners or managers, a book can be an insightful gift. Writing a personalized note inside or adding a bookmark adds a nice touch.
5. Send a smile – send a funny card, tell a joke, or share a heartwarming good news story with your thanks. 
6. Send a treat – nice items to eat are almost always a hit, but take into account your customers' food preferences when possible.  For instance, are they into losing weight?  Vegetarians? Gluten-free? Love sweets or coffee?  
7. Take key customers/clients to lunch or coffee – or if they prefer, bring it to them! Depending on the size of their staff, you can offer to include everyone in the office.  Make it casual, fun and if appropriate, stay a while and ask about their plans.  It's a great opportunity to listen and get to learn more about their businesses as well as them personally. You might even uncover additional ways you can be of assistance to them. Word of caution: Be conscious of their time -- the holidays are often busy times for people both personally and professionally!
8. Try a gift card or “raincheck”– for customers who are too busy to take time out this time of year - send a gift card or schedule for January.​​

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If you decide to send gifts, select ones that are consistent with your brand values. For example, if your values include supporting the local community, choose treats from non-profits or gifts from local artists or businesses. In the Triangle area, Life Experiences, Inc offers wonderful brownie and cookie trays for your office or key customers. The artists at StarworksNC offer unique glass, pottery, and woven gifts.  For those environmentally minded, the World Wildlife Fund has an array of choices. Or instead of gifts, you could offer to donate to a charity of their choice.​

 Thank you for reading!  We appreciate our readers and wish you a Happy Holiday season. 

As a customer, what type of customer appreciation do you value most? 
Do you know of a non-profit with ideas for customer gifts?  Please feel free to share the links in the comments. 

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