How can you creatively show clients they are valued and appreciated?

We always tell our clients if your competition is doing it, do something different. Be a pattern interrupt because that's memorable. Make your gifts highly personal and something they will use over and over again so they are reminded of you on a frequent basis. Send the gift of appreciation at a random time. Make it a gift of true gratitude rather than having it tied to an event like account renewal. If sending gifts is too big a step for you, a personal note is the gift of words. Very few people write or receive notes these days. It's memorable. Be specific in your message. Invest in the human connection between to you and the decision makers and influencers in your current accounts and watch your client retention increase.

As you get to know your client, you'll quickly learn whether they enjoy being taken out for a meal, or brought their favorite coffee. If your company does swag, try and choose something personalized so that it matches their hobbies or is something they can pass along to their kids if applicable. I also like to mail hand written thank you notes, or send an out of the blue email that is simply states your gratitude and compliments them on a couple aspects of your partnership that you really appreciate.

The trick is to make it meaningful for the client. If they have a daughter, or cat, or dog... How do you connect as people? Is it a blizzard where they are located? would they love a latte or gift card? Is it the pandemic and have they been stuck inside? Would their favorite flowers make them smile? Be sure to do some research on the company and gifting policies first. Also- whether it is a team and in-person meeting and visit with a catered lunch or a thoughtful touch means the world to everyone. Avoid cheap throw-away gifts that are generic. Have fun getting to know your clients, and what makes them smile.

Revive the art of handwritten letters! Sending one to my valued clients has worked wonders over my sales career - strengthening trust, loyalty and appreciation. Try it and see, especially around the holidays / birthdays.

Innovatively showcasing the value of a client entails thoughtful and customized actions: Customized Experiences: Adapt communications and solutions to suit their particular requirements and inclinations. Surprise Recognition: Express gratitude with small, unannounced gifts or handwritten notes. Exclusive Insider Knowledge: Demonstrate your commitment to their success by sharing market knowledge and trends that particularly help their company. Interactive Workshops: Provide interesting seminars or gatherings that are beneficial and encourage teamwork. Integrate their feedback by acting upon it to show that you are dedicated to ongoing development in light of their observations.

Podcasting is a fantastic way to showcase your clients & potential clients. Explore their struggles & successes. Really highlight what they are doing in a way that helps them accomplish their goals (and helps highlight your expertise in helping them)

There is a power of building long-term relationships rather than focusing solely on short-term gains. By nurturing relationships over time, you can establish a foundation of trust, loyalty, and mutual respect. This can lead to clients becoming not just repeat customers but also advocates who actively promote and recommend your business. Understanding clients' needs, consistently providing exceptional service, and delivering value beyond transactions.

Organize surprise celebrations on key milestones, such as the anniversary of your partnership. This could include personalized virtual parties, sending themed decorations, or even coordinating a surprise video message from the team. Showcase your clients on your company's website, social media, or newsletters. Highlight their successes, share testimonials, or feature them in case studies. It not only acknowledges their importance but also provides them with positive exposure. Offer exclusive workshops or training sessions that cater to your client's specific needs or interests. This could be a live webinar, an interactive online course, or even a hands-on workshop delivered by industry experts.

Doing a video interview showing the challenges customer was facing and how you achieved them. The short and long term outcomes accomplished because of your services provided would be great way to highlight your customer.

Guest passes to a trade show was super successful for me one year. I met my clients at the door and ushered them around for an hour introducing them to vendors and products. I ended with lunch and set them free to roam. They loved it, and we had time to network and plan for future projects in a casual setting. Highly recommend.

Offer exclusive access to new products, services, or features before they are officially launched. This makes clients feel special and appreciated for their ongoing support.

Offering exclusive access is a powerful way to show clients they are valued and appreciated. This strategy creates a sense of exclusivity and fosters a deeper connection with your clients.

Inviting them to a conference where they can attend some specific sessions and network casually with their team. Also, giving them access to early updates on products, trail on a new upgrade makes them feel more confident and special.

Being in touch and knowing when and what to celebrate lifts everyone's spirits and makes clients feel like partners. Everyone loves to have a cheerleader on the sidelines to high-five when things go well.

Give your clients a shoutout on your social media channels. Feature their success stories, testimonials, or simply express appreciation for their partnership. This not only shows gratitude but also provides them with positive exposure. Make a video featuring members of your team expressing gratitude and appreciation for your clients. Share anecdotes, success stories, or simply convey a heartfelt thank you.

Celebrating your clients' achievements is a wonderful way to express appreciation and strengthen your professional relationship. Establish an annual or quarterly recognition program where you acknowledge and reward your clients for their outstanding achievements. This could include awards, certificates, or even personalized trophies that showcase their accomplishments. Spotlight your clients in your company newsletters or blogs. Share success stories, milestones, or innovative strategies they've implemented. This not only gives them visibility but also positions your partnership in a positive light. Host special events dedicated to celebrating your clients' achievements.

This is a dangerous one. Ask for feedback and don’t deliver and the hole gets deeper. The whole organization must be behind the ask - or you end up playing whack-a-mole. This is where structured feedback channels like client advisory boards can be a wonderful 2-way street. Done correctly - there should be an in-person element to them.

Asking for and valuing client feedback is essential for continuous improvement and maintaining a strong client-provider relationship Create engaging and concise feedback surveys and offer incentives for participation, such as discounts on future services, exclusive content, or entry into a giveaway. This encourages clients to share their thoughts and insights. Schedule one-on-one feedback sessions with key clients. This personalized approach allows for in-depth discussions, addressing specific concerns, and building a deeper understanding of their needs and expectations.

Asking for client feedback is not only a valuable way to gather insights into your business but also demonstrates that you value their opinions and are committed to continuous improvement.

The best way is to establish a genuine concern to solve their issues. Once your customer knows that you’re on their side there are no more roadblocks. I find this technique to be the most effective.

One thing I have found to be extremely helpful is actively listening to their needs and translating that into the service you are offering them. Often times, clients do not know exactly how to communicate their vision to you. It is through active listening, that you can derive the Value from that conversation and translate that into the work you offer. Clients are always positively taken aback when they see an outcome they did not communicate previously with you. It allows them to build further trust in your services and voice their needs even further.

When a team member from one of my client accounts excels in their role, I request the contact information for their manager or supervisor. I then reach out to express my positive experiences with the client contact and commend their performance. This approach is a win-win: it not only makes the client contact feel valued and appreciated but also strengthens the connection between me and the client.

Remember, the key is to be thoughtful and genuine in your expressions of gratitude. Tailor your approach to each client's personality and preferences for the most meaningful impact.

I would add referrals to this list. When you refer clients, partners, or sponsors to your clients, you are show that you value them. Clients will feel good because you are clear on who the brand can associate with, and that you think about profit not just revenue