4 ways to show genuine customer appreciation

For us, client appreciation is more than a marketing strategy. It’s an opportunity to truly thank our customers, because without them, there would be no us!?

Showing appreciation isn’t limited to grand gestures. Often, the smallest and simplest thanks can trigger a powerful response, in the form of returning customers and referrals.?

It is never too late in your customer journey to start to show them appreciation, so here are a few tips to get you going:?

1) Send a handwritten note?

A true favourite of ours is penning a handwritten message, as it creates a lasting impression, transporting us back to childhood birthday cards and letters from grandparents.??

A pro tip is keep the message short and meaningful, be authentic, warm and professional - and always mention the future, so that they know that you are looking forward to continuing to build on your current relationship.?

We would always suggest using either recycled paper, or paper with a purpose. Our go-to is seed paper; that way once the message has done its job, it can live on afterwards as wildflower seedlings sprouting up from the simple thank you.

2) Food, glorious food?!

We are all for happy endorphins! Chocolates and other sweet treats are a really effective way to lift moods. But there are also fantastic ranges of healthy, happiness-bringing alternative snacks out there.?

We recommend finding a local supplier and striking up a partnership - that way you can customise the packaging and add a personalised message, to make your gift feel that bit more special.

A word to the wise: always make sure to ask your clients about any allergies or serious dislikes. Most CRMs have a special space for that sort of information, and it’s always important to keep it in mind with any gifts.?

3) Practice proactive service

Appreciation doesn’t always equal something physical. Noticing root causes of potential issues and problems will give you a head-start in finding solutions - something your clients will love.

Social sensitivity works well for this, as putting yourself in the place of your customers can help predict possible pitfalls.?

Being that supportive shoulder to lean on is not only a great way to keep customers loyal; it’s also a nicer way to do business. And we are all for being nice in business!?

4) Put them in the spotlight

Shout-outs and social media spotlights are a great way to highlight your customers' success stories! This opens up your network to your customers for possible referral opportunities, and your customers are also very likely to share this with their network, too.

One way to do this is to set up regular customer features each month, whereby you tell a compelling story or maybe a congratulations.

We would always recommend asking your client’s permission before doing this, to check that they’re happy for you to tell their story - 9 times out of 10, they’ll be delighted to share.?

Every day counts

Ultimately, customer appreciation is an ongoing process that should be a core part of all businesses.?

The most meaningful gifts are those that tackle your customers' pain points, provide support for a specific task, and above all save them time.?

Building a customer appreciation system into your marketing may seem time consuming, but the rewards far outweigh the time put in. There are many tools to aid you in this process, but ultimately this is a task that is easy to delegate out.?

How to set up client appreciation within your business

If you’re keen to make regular client appreciation a smoothly-run system within your business, VA Assistance can help. Our experienced team are here to ensure that each of your clients feels truly appreciated, with thoughtful gifting, personal communications and service that goes the extra mile (and then some).?

To see how VA Assistance could benefit your business, simply get in touch today - we’d love to walk you through your options.?

“My only regret is not using VA Assistance sooner. It’s a complete game changer and I’d never go back.”

— Will, Life Media UK

“Within 3 hours of working with me, Antoinette helped me feel calm and under control. A total asset to my business.”

— Andrea, Admire PR

“Antoinette at VA Assistance has been the ideal support for my business, she’s creative as well as highly efficient. Highly recommended.”

— Oliver, Capability Consulting

“I don’t see VA Assistance as an expense but as an investment. And the return on investment is phenomenal.”

— Sunjay, Lambardar Marketing