Are You Thanking Your Customers Enough?

Thanksgiving?is the perfect time?of year to thank your customers. The words are simple enough to say--"thank you." Then why is it so rare for customers to hear them? What's even rarer is for customers to see those words in writing.

Customers are starved for recognition. They want to be noticed, valued, and appreciated by the people they work with. A primary reason that customers stop doing business with a company is that they don't hear those words or they have not been communicated with sincerity.

Thanking your customers must be at the top of your daily "to-do" list. When customers receive a handwritten "thank you" note with no strings attached, it is a powerful way to let them know they are genuinely valued.

It's easy and fun to send notes to your customers. Just set aside 10-15 minutes each day to write two notes. It's just that simple. By the end of the week, you'll have sent 10 "thank you" notes. Imagine if every employee in your company took the time to send two "thank you" notes?daily. That's a lot of customer appreciation!

?Here are four ways that a handwritten "thank you" note builds customer loyalty:

1.????It's unexpected.

Customers do not expect to feel appreciated. A simple thank you note will surprise your customers and give them something positive about your company to tell their friends. That's why sending a "thank you" with no strings attached is so important. Don't enclose your business card or information about a "special offer." Keep the message pure.

2.????It's personal.

Don't use a label for the envelope. A handwritten address and note are more likely to be opened and read by your customer. Your willingness to take the extra time needed to write the message tells your customer that you are sincere.

3.????It's classy.

Handwritten "thank you" notes are viewed as outdated. In the old days, it was considered a disgrace to forget to send a "thank you" note to someone who has done something nice for you. You can probably think of times when your kind deeds or gifts have gone unacknowledged. Whenever a customer chooses to do business with you, they give you a gift. Employees who send handwritten "thank you" notes will stand out from the crowd because it is a classy thing to do.

4.????It's contagious.

The more "thank you" notes you send, the more "seeds" of goodwill you plant. This will benefit you and the company for which you work. Your customers will recognize that you do value them. Customers who feel appreciated are generally more pleasant and refer more customers to your business.

Thank your customers when:

• They refer a new customer to your business. This one's vital because word-of-mouth advertising is what keeps a company healthy.
• They suggest how you could improve service or other aspects of the business. When your customers feel they've been heard, they automatically feel valued.
• They reach milestone anniversaries as a loyal customer: one year, five years, ten years, etc. A little gift could be included with these "thank you" notes.
• They've been patient with service glitches such as delayed shipping dates, long telephone hold times, website problems, or other issues.?This?lets your customers know that you recognize the value of their time.
• They've made your day brighter due to their positive attitudes. It's a great way to guarantee more smiles in the future.
• They purchased a product or service based on your recommendation.?Your customers have taken some risk when they trust you enough to?act on your advice.
• They compliment you, especially in front of another customer or, better yet--your boss. Customers like to hear that their positive comments made a difference.
• They complain and allow you to resolve the problem. These customers care enough to give your company a second chance.
• They turn down your sales pitch because?your product or service?doesn't fit them. Just because a customer or prospect says "no" doesn't mean?there won't be another opportunity to do business with them in the future.

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