Customers are the lifeline of any business. It is their influence and purchasing power that keeps companies afloat. Should they begin to take their business elsewhere, it is almost a certainty that the success of your brand will decline. These indisputable facts have made it necessary for entrepreneurs to invest a lot in providing quality customer service and showing their appreciation. By creating loyalty programs and providing tokens of thanks, businesses have been able to not only retain loyal customers but have also been able to use the data to further push their brands forward. Here’s a more in-depth look at why customer appreciation programs are crucial to small businesses.
Improves Brand Reputation
It goes without saying that your reputation will always precede you. In this digital environment where images can be created and destroyed in an instant, entrepreneurs must work effortlessly at appealing to their target market. Customer appreciation programs provide an opportunity for businesses to outwardly give thanks to those who have been loyal to them. It is a tangible measurement of the lengths you’re willing to go to engage your customers and keep them happy. This sends a message to the outside world (competition included) that you’ll go the extra mile which speaks volumes about who you are as a brand.
Keeps Customers Coming Back
While every dollar is an accomplishment, it is the business of those customers that continue to use your products and services throughout the years that help sustain your company. To keep customers coming back, it is important to show that they’re not just another transaction to you. Handing out corporate turkey gifts during the holidays to customers who’ve been with you the longest or made a certain number of purchases throughout the year, for example, can show consumers just how much you care. This small token of appreciation helps to build meaningful and long-lasting relationships that keep customers coming back time and time again.
Leads to New Business
Consumers are all about doing business with rads who treat their customers right. They often do extensive research prior to making a purchasing decision. Brands who show their customers appreciation on a regular basis are more likely to attract new customers than those who don’t. Not to mention, word of mouth remains one of the most powerful forms of marketing. When existing customers are kept happy, they share this with others they know which opens the doors for new business.
Enhances Customer Service Efforts
Keeping the customer happy is a top priority for most entrepreneurs. They understand that a happy customer is a potential for gaining loyal customers (as well as new ones). To provide the best service, it is necessary for businesses to have a clear understanding of what works and what doesn’t for their target audience.
Gaining customer participation, such as through a brief survey, for instance, gives you access to data that can be used to your advantage. Providing a gift or prize or participation in that survey, would, therefore, show your customers you appreciate their time. This data can then be used to determine how to perfect the product or service to better meet the needs of their customers.
Easy Customer Appreciation Ideas
Now that you’re aware of the advantages of implementing customer appreciation programs, let’s take a look at some creative ways you can give thanks and yield a big return:
- Give out birthday cards
- Give out food baskets during the holidays
- Promote their businesses on your platforms
- Make phone calls just to check in
- Give recognition to customers on social media
- Give rewards for customer satisfaction survey participation
- Host a free event for your customers
- Offer discounts
- Give out free gifts with every purchase
No matter how great your business is, if you’re not investing in your customers, you won’t see much success. Outside of providing top-notch products and services, it is vitally important for you to build a connection with your customers that goes beyond their sales transaction. Businesses showing appreciation helps to build that bridge. When implemented correctly it can help to improve your reputation, retain loyal customers, build extensive consumer research, and provide better customer service. This all equates to a happy customer, which essentially leads to a successful business.
