Best Events for Customer Appreciation
An integral part of running a business is gaining customers. An even more integral part of running a business is retaining customers. Repeat business is where it’s at, so if you attract a bunch of new customers but can’t hold on to any of them, it’s just going to make running your business more difficult than necessary. That’s why it’s important to create a marketing system and operational strategy that allow you to retain customer loyalty. Consider how you can show customer appreciation to those who do regularly frequent your business establishment. Need some inspiration? We’ve come up with a few customer appreciation events and ideas to help you maintain strong relationships with your customers.
An Exclusive VIP Affair for Your Most Loyal Customers
Do you have very loyal customers, like the patrons who stop into your coffee shop every day for their morning latte before heading off to work? Or perhaps a client who always refers your firm to colleagues and acquaintances? Make a list of all the loyal customers who have supported your establishment throughout the years. If you haven’t done anything yet to acknowledge their business and display your appreciation, consider organizing some sort of function in their honor. If you run a marketing, business consulting, or legal firm and have a handful of devoted clients, host a small but formal event for them. It could be an exclusive party with delicious hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and fine wines in a beautiful venue with live music and lots of mingling. Another idea is treating your clients to a day of golf followed by lunch or dinner at a country club. You could even use a more niche opportunity like that to gift your clients with a few branded golf balls or some other souvenir for them to remember you by.
A nice, intimate gathering, be it a ritzy cocktail party or a day on the green, is a powerful way to reinforce the notion that your company very much appreciates its most loyal customers. It’s a way to say “thank you” for their many years of business and make them feel special for choosing you over your competitors.
Have a Little Something for Your Occasional Customers, Too
Say you have had some customers come into your business establishment only on occasion. Maybe they just haven’t had the time to shop your full line of products or solicit all of your services. It’s still important to reach out to them and find ways to show your appreciation for their business, even if it is less frequent than you would like it to be. Performing some sort of gesture of appreciation shows you value their business and would like to see more of them. When you can show these types of customers you miss them, they will be more inclined to return to you. If you have their mailing address, something as simple as a “We Miss You!” postcard could do the trick. Or you could send them an email invitation to a special event at your place of business, such as a customer appreciation day in your store with special discounts and free promotional gifts.
Online Customer Appreciation
A customer appreciation event doesn’t necessarily need to be held in person. You can also leverage the internet to your advantage and show some love digitally. This tactic is especially crucial if you operate the majority of your business online, like with an online retail store. To gain more interest among new and potential customers as well as show your appreciation for longtime customers, have a special customer appreciation discount day. Give yourself plenty of time to promote it on your social media platforms, through your email marketing campaign, or any other digital marketing strategies you employ to reach out to your target audience. Once you reach the big day, provide ways for your customers to shop online and get special discount prices. You could even consider throwing in a free promo gift like a custom company hat or bag whenever a customer makes a purchase.
How you express your appreciation to your loyal customers can be tailored to the type of business you operate. No matter the size or type of your business, there are always events and ideas you can come up with to show your customers how much they matter. By doing this, you can expect to see stronger relationships, happier customers, and more business.