How can you creatively add value and stay in touch with customers?

The main ingredient to a successful customer relationship is consistency. Provide high level communication and quick response times breeds loyalty. A perfect example is when you hear someone tell you a great experience they had with a company. You are more likely to reach out to that company if you need that service or product. It’s very simply stated that you have to walk the talk!

When someone takes the time to handwrite a note, it resonates. You're telling your customer, "Hey, you're not just an order number to me; you're a real person, and I appreciate you." That little touch can turn a one-time shopper into a repeat customer, or even better, into a brand advocate who can't wait to tell their friends about you.

Very important factor to find out customer requirements and guide him economical solutions. Provide advance knowledge to the customer, up coming products feature and benefits. In that way you have chance to meet customer and Provide solutions for his needs.

Personally I try not to sell to 'customers' or 'clients'. I sell to friends. OK they often start as the above but I try and make it my mission to be trusted, and to me that takes work, time and no alternative motives, including what I'm going to sell them or not, that's secondary for caring for them and the companies they work for as real people who deserve to be listened to and cared about. This in turn leads to better conversations knowing company strategies, plans and painpoints, meaning the solutions I offer are relevant, required and responded to.

Try to send Holiday Cards. It keeps you fresh in mind once a year and it's a huge personal touch. I remember when you got one from your doctor every year. Nobody does this anymore. It's sad.

In the B2B world, sharing industry insights, best practices, or even regulatory updates can make a huge difference. It's not just about selling a product or service; it's about being a resource. You want your business customers to see you as a partner who adds value beyond the invoice.

In the Roofing industry, sending an annual email reminding them to have their roof checked before storm season helps. Every 3-5 yrs things need to be recaulked in the South due to the sun and Up north it's the freezing temperatures.

Always keep records of your clients , carry out after sales service . This will help you collect more feedback from your clients and as well as improve on your customer satisfaction. By doing so cross selling will take place hence more sales

It’s no more transactional…., it’s beyond - more about building value relationships & customer success. Have to be creative and stay top-of-mind by offering exclusive content, personalized recommendations, and engaging experiences & timely services.

In technology, building value with sharing the pain you solve is super helpful, give a clear line into the problems you can solve. Like “Our customer are driving 7/8% revenue increases by listening to customer feedback, through review sites, and driving growth with it.” Get more reviews, get more customers, win win.

In B2B, these programs can be even more potent. Imagine you sell an enterprise software solution. Your customers aren't making one-off purchases; they're making big, budget-impacting decisions. A loyalty program could offer perks like priority customer service, access to beta features, or even discounted rates for long-term contracts. That's not just a discount; that's rolling out the red carpet for your best clients.

It’s important to maintain balance, creating respectful relationships where loyalty is developed through a good experience and good service level. Incentives should be used where appropriate and being careful not to become reliant on discounts or freebies.

Mid contract customer satisfaction surveys are great as if its a positive experience for them you can follow it up with a thank you with a link to leave a google review, that way you aren't encouraging negative reviews. If they are having a bad experience it gives you time to address any issues to turn turn it around and into a good one.

And ah, testimonials—those are your street cred. In B2B, a good testimonial can often tip the scales in your favor during a potential customer's decision-making process. It's social proof that says, "These guys know what they're doing; just listen to Company Z who worked with them!" When your clients share their success stories, challenges, and results, it not only builds your reputation but also gives prospects a real-world glimpse of what life could be like using your product or service.

The customer defines our value. I like to use a report card and make appointments where my customer defines the things that are important for a supplier partner to bring. Then they rate how well I've done with those things. I even ask them to quantify each lines value in dollars/acre. The items I rate lower on are items that become a bigger part of my business plan for that account so I can be better at the things my customers want and need me to be good at.

Imagine this—your customer is sitting at home, it’s their birthday, and they've received a generic message from another brand. Then they see a personalized card from you. It's not just about the birthday, is it? It's about being seen, being acknowledged. It's not a card; it's a statement saying, "We see you. You're not just a number to us. You're a person, and you matter." Isn't that a message we'd all like to hear? You know what's interesting? People often ask, "How do we maximize customer lifetime value?" But the better question is, "How do we offer value throughout a customer's lifetime?" When you shift your focus like that, celebrating milestones and occasions isn't an expense; it’s an investment.

Its simple. If you have a relationship where you know them well enough to say Happy Birthday, well done or congratulations then do so. If you dont then dont .

In the B2B space, people often buy from people, not just companies. So, inviting your clients to events isn't just about showcasing your products or services; it's also about strengthening the relationship. It says, "Hey, we're in this together, let's grow together."

Home shows are a great opportunity for this. If you participate in the home show and your happy clients are coming by your booth it helps boost the chances that someone else standing there will book that estimate with you.

Personal invites are a lot more effective in getting people to attend things you've worked hard on and they make our customers and prospects feel important.

Personalised invitations to events can be highly appreciated if you know this will add value to you client, detail how and follow up afterwards.

People buy from people and most of the time they refer your products and services if they are happy. Try to take the extra mile to reach your customers. You might be in sales but always be there for them. Relate to their support issues. Try your best.

Personalized communication using data analytics to understand their behaviours and preferences will go along way. Tailoring ones communication to meet their specific needs and interests will definitely add value to them. Also, collaborations and partnerships with other brands or influencers that our customers trust and admire will help reach a larger audience and most importantly will help provide additional value to our customers.

Community building is another powerful strategy for customer engagement. By establishing forums, social media groups, or online communities centered on common interests within your industry, you create spaces where customers can connect, share experiences, and offer each other support. In the long run, this approach helps establish positive experiences, which can, in turn, create new business opportunities.

A balanced mix of professional and personal relationships with clients helps us to retain the relationships for a longer period.