7 Cool Customer Appreciation Strategies

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1. Give them a Surprise Discount

It’s always nice to receive a discount on your bill, no matter what the reason is. Let your customers know that you value their loyalty and give them a 15% discount on their purchase for being a regular at your business. They’ll appreciate your generosity and remember the gesture when they return in the future.

2. Make Your Social Media Worth Following

Ask customers to follow you on social media, and when they do, send them a personal thank you. Then be sure to fill your social media feed with non-salesy content that would be of interest to them. For example, if you have a gym, post fitness tips. If you have a professional service, post about best practices. Think about delighting and inspiring them rather than selling them and create posts that do that.

3. Write them a Handwritten Thank-You Letter

The art of letter writing has all but died, but a handwritten note still carries a unique value. Getting a hand-addressed envelope in the mail is unexpected and delightful. Write your customer a thank you note that is specific and personal and focuses on the reasons why they are important to you and your business. Your customers will appreciate the time you took to write them a meaningful note and will remember the sentiment when they come back to your business.

I received a card in the U.S. mail from my bank with original signatures from all the tellers on my birthday. It was a pleasant surprise and made me feel valued by them.

4. Send them a Special Gift

A great way to make your customers’ day is to send them a gift that reflects their interests. Maybe you know your customer is a wine connoisseur or an avid traveler: Gift them a nice wine glass or a fun luggage tag. Your customers will appreciate that you pay attention to their interests. If you’re not sure of your customers’ interests, you can always send a gift card or a basket of fruits or chocolates.

5. Let Them Know You Value Their Feedback

A simple yet significant way to acknowledge your customers is to let them know you care about their comments and opinions. Keep track of customers and their requests so that you can respond to each one you receive. It’s a great way to let your customers know you value their feedback and that you’re listening.

6. Highlight Their Achievements

Call out customers on social media just because! Highlighting their attributes and personal achievements make customers feel important and recognized. Having a “customer in the spotlight” section on your social media pages is an excellent way to call out customers and acknowledge their talents and accomplishments. Pick one customer a week and put together a short post about them, what they do, and why they’re essential to your business.

7. Send a Donation in Their Honor

A unique way to show your customers how much you value their business is to donate in their name to their favorite charity. If you know your customer is an animal lover, donate to a local animal shelter. If you know your customer works in the medical field, consider donating to a non-profit specializing in healthcare, like Doctors Without Borders or St. Jude’s Foundation. It will show your customers that you pay attention to their interests and care about their personal lives.

There are dozens of ways to show your customers you appreciate them. In a world of fast transactions, slowing down to say, “You matter to me” will ensure that your business matters to them.