Ways to Show Customers You Care in the Digital Age

Customers are the lifeblood of a successful business. Of course – any customer likes to feel appreciated – so it is important to express your thanks.  After all, a solid business is founded on good relationships so showing your clients you’re invested in them is a smart move -- it establishes trust and loyalty, pure and simple.  According to Gartner Group, 80 percent of your company’s future revenue comes from 20 percent of your current customers.  So it’s a must when it comes to customer retention and saying thanks will help you do just that.

Most businesses have the same ideas when it comes to saying thanks to their customers.  Instead of doing what the other businesses do, you need to think outside of the box to make an impression that will draw repeat business.  Here are some ways to show your customers that you care in the digital age:

Use a video to thank them

A brief video is a great way to personally thank your customers.  Address them by name and it will resonate like nothing else.  A personalized video is the equivalent on a handwritten letter in our age of digital everything.  It’s personal and unexpected and truly makes your customer feel as though they are appreciated.

Photo via onthecloud.mycroburst.com

Name drop

Thank your customer individually with a personal message or on your Facebook page.  You can even thank them in your blog or in your company newsletter.  Drop their name and it will let them know you notice them and show them that you value their business.

Brand outside of the box

It is as good of a time as any to be the business known for the cool… anything.  Skip the pens, coffee mugs and mouse pads – they’ve all been seen time and again.  What other ideas do you have?  Chances are anything you want to brand is possible.  If you give away another calendar, it is likely going to be shoved to the back of the drawer with all of the other calendars your customers already have from their dentist office and their plumber.  Brand something your customer will love – and you may even make their Facebook page too.

Handwrite a letter

In the era of digital everything, there is nothing you can do for (nearly) no cost that will make a bigger impact than sitting down and writing a thank you letter. The feeling of opening your mailbox and finding an envelope with a handwritten letter inside is unlike anything else.  Don’t underestimate the power of traditional snail mail – it can be a refreshing change from the world of technology.

You don’t have to do what all of the other businesses do when it comes to showing your sincere thanks to your customers.  Break away from the stale and unimaginative ways of expressing your gratitude and get creative.  You and your employees are likely an untapped spring of resources – you just have to dig beyond the surface to find them.

How do you show your customers you appreciate their business?