Every smart business owner knows that it costs LESS money to keep a customer than it does to acquire one.  But if you LOSE a customer you may never get them back!  Your business may also begin to suffer!

That’s why it’s critical that you follow the general rules of Customer Appreciation.

1. Start collecting their contact info! (First name, last name, address too!)
2. Thank them for becoming a customer. Whether you do it by glossy welcome kit, firm hand shake, follow up email or a personalized greeting card – it’s critical that you make it CLEAR that you appreciate them.
3. Remind them that they are important. Every 1, 3 or 6 months (min) it is a GOOD IDEA to reminder your customers that you are still around and that their past business and any future business they do with you will be appreciated!
4. Send them exclusive offers! Email marketing is synonymous with “special offers” especially for big companies with household names.  There’s no reason your mail can’t work the same.  An exclusive offer is NOT TABOO!  it’s appreciated by most people.  *It normally only works if you have multiple products in your catalog that have not yet been purchased…or a line of services that can be discounted from time to time…but everyone loves a deal – so why not share your deals with your most favored people!
5. Thank them for their continued business! Yes, continued business deserves thanks as well!  But you may have to up the value of your thanks for each subsequent token of your appreciation.  If the first one was a hand shake, then move up to an email or custom printed greeting card – - if the next one requires more than this, send a gift with your card.  Make it be known that you are SERIOUS about your appreciation.  *Emails don’t always get opened (let alone seen).
6. Get to know them better! If you have a regular customer that keeps opening their hearts and / or pocketbooks to you – then they deserve your ear!  Who are they?  Why do they keep coming back to you?   When is their birthday (you will need it to send a very unexpected birthday card or gift via the mail)?  Do they have kids?  Do their kids like certain sports or movies?  Can you send something to their kids some day?  Etc. Etc. Etc.
7. Celebrate holidays with them! Yes, your customers should receive holiday greetings from your business!  If not only IN-STORE – do also consider sending your greetings by email, SMS, personalized greeting or gift – - or some other method that gets their attention and shows them you care!
8. Reward them! Sometimes an incentive goes a lot further than a discount or deal!  Can you come up with a creative way to reward customers for referring NEW customers to you?  Perhaps a complimentary product or service per successful referral?  Maybe a nice cheque or cash spiff (if legal in your region)?  It has to be something that THEY will get excited about and look forward to?  Even better if it’s something they will PUT THE EFFORT in for?  Can you think of anything that your current customers might like?
9. Refer THEM! That’s right, if your customers have their own businesses, or they are great at something that you can tell others about – referring THEM might be a fantastic thank you to them!
10. Repeat! Read through all of the previous 9 steps and repeat again!  Thanks is rarely ever something you can overdo if done right.  Repeat often enough to make it clear that you appreciate them but not too often that it becomes an obvious “ploy” to get their attention.  That’s NOT what thanks is about.  Appreciation is genuine.  It has to be!

An appreciated customer is a HAPPY CUSTOMER! A happy customer is a testimonial, a referral source, possibly even a future franchisee of your business! You NEVER know what can happen – - but you MUST do your part to make it possible.

If you have taken any notice to the links in this post you will see that I have clearly indicated that a personalized card or gift is a great way to make your customer appreciation known!

There truly is no better way to ensure that your message is received!

The links I have shared, DO go to my own distributor page for Personalized Greeting Cards!  I do earn a commission for new distributor accounts, but that’s NOT why I write this post.  This company has served as a great resource for my colleagues and I.  It’s saved us time, money and the horror of  forgetting important people or dates!

You can set special date reminders, customize cards from front to inside and send via POST direct though the Internet.  It’s just that simple!  You can  send cards online, you can send gifts online, you can even send gift cards online – but they go from the Internet to the POST OFFICE and straight to the REAL LIVE addresses of your recipients. How much better does it get!?

It does get better…the investments are LESS than most store bought cards and many custom printed cards!  A corporate account can go an extremely long way and guarantee you ongoing business for a lifetime!  This is why I use Send Out Cards!  There is no doubt in my mind that a PERSONALIZED card or gift is valued much higher than a short text message or an email that may never get to the recipient.

Take CARE of your customers – they ARE your business!