In the modern market conditions, it takes more than providing excellent services to acquire loyal customers who rehire and refer other people to your business. Experienced sales pros mention that more than 60% of one or two-time customers leave companies and start using their competitor’s services due to the employees’/owner’s indifference. That fact proves the importance of customer appreciation.Making a conscious effort to show customers your appreciation, go above and beyond the standard approach and ensure exceptional client’s experience should be the ultimate goal of each business owner. Each client who decided to pay his hard-earned money to you, but not your competitor, deserves the greatest treatment and quality. You should go even further when it comes to the most loyal customers – people or/and businesses who provide your company with stable revenue and support its existence.
Making a conscious effort to show customers your appreciation, go above and beyond the standard approach and ensure exceptional client’s experience should be the ultimate goal of each business owner. Each client who decided to pay his hard-earned money to you, but not your competitor, deserves the greatest treatment and quality. You should go even further when it comes to the most loyal customers – people or/and businesses who provide your company with stable revenue and support its existence.
There’re numerous ways to showcase your gratitude to your customers. And, as the actions speak much louder than words, use these customer appreciation ideas to thank your most faithful clients for their choice.
10 customer appreciation ideas that double as great promotions
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Loyalty programs
Maybe, it’s the most obvious customer appreciation idea, but a lot of small service-oriented businesses still have not established loyalty programs for their clients. That’s the opportunity business owners shouldn’t miss, as while providing certain bonuses, rewards and discounts to customers who make a substantial purchase/order, you increase your rehiring chances by two times.
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Exclusive sales
Supply customers subscribed to your loyalty program with exclusive discounts and special offers other people can’t have access to. Send those in loyalty program emails and make the exclusive character of those proposals clear. This way you will kill two birds with one stone. First of all, you will express your appreciation to the most active clients. Secondly, you will remind them about your business, stimulate them to reach out to your company once again and make a purchase, which they wouldn’t even consider making otherwise.
Some business owners don’t like the idea of decreasing the cost of their products or services even to please their loyal customers. But, once you think about it a little bit more, you’ll understand that if you don’t let a small percentage of your potential revenue go in order to obtain an additional order/purchase, that potential revenue may not turn into real money at all.
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Give a shout out to your customer’s business
You may not even realize how many people who use your services have their own business as well. However, if you get to know your customers a bit more and ask what they do for their living, you may find out that some of them have their own company, which wouldn’t refuse the extra promotion.
This category of customers will appreciate a simple social media shout out or another form of business promo from another reliable entrepreneur the most. You may display your customer’s business cards or leaflets, feature their contact info on your company’s website or even refer your customers to them. Your clients – fellow entrepreneurs – may even promote your company in response. -
Special birthday offers
Don’t forget to wish customers, involved in your loyalty program, happy birthday and accompany your congratulations with special birthday offers. For instance, if you’re an owner of a small apartment cleaning company and your regular customer uses your biweekly cleaning services, offer a one-time free add-on to his regular package (for instance, a free window wash or deep carpet cleaning) or 50% off his next cleaning.
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Customer appreciation giveaways
Conducting occasional giveaways isn’t just a brilliant customer appreciation idea, but also the way to attract new customers to your business and enroll them in your loyalty program. Try to promote your giveaways as much as possible, as the more people get involved, the more effective in terms of marketing it will be.
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Yearly gifts
Celebrate each year your customer spent with your company and show your gratitude for his loyalty by surprising him with an impressive gift. It should be related to the products your company produces, but it may include a few extra memorable elements as well (a branded thank-you note, a box of chocolates, a practical book, etc.).
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Back up your apologies with free products or services
When responding to customer complaints and admitting your guilt, enhance your sincerity, express your customer appreciation and make sure that even the dissatisfied customer returns to your company by offering him a set of free products or services. Not just refunding his money or replacing a defective product, but giving away additional stuff for free.
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Reward social media-active clients
People, who mention your business in their social media posts and share your content with their friends, are essentially providing your business with free promotion. Those, who follow your business profiles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, make your business more noticeable. Therefore, you may show them your appreciation and solicit profit by posting exclusive social media announcements and rewards only your followers may use.
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Family friendly practices
Melt your frequent customers’ hearts by offering something for their kids. You clients will certainly notice your effort to make their kids comfortable and entertained. Arrange a bowl of free candy for visitors that come with kids, a supervised playroom little ones may use free of charge while parents go about their business in your auto repair shop, fitness center or a veterinary shop. This way you will make your customers’ experience less stressful and encourage them to rehire.
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Milestone campaigns
Host special promotional events once your company reaches a certain milestone (for instance, five years of operation on the market) and treat your loyal customers to free gifts, tempting discounts, candy favors, service upgrades and luxurious experiences. By doing that, you will express your appreciation to regular customers and show the way you treat your clients to potential ones.
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