Do you know that one of the best ways to delight and surprise your clients and build raving fans for your business is to do something unexpected to thank them for their business and make them feel appreciated?
However, very few businesses think about thanking their customers for their business. Even fewer actually find original ways to do so.
One of the simplest and best ways to do this is to send them a surprise in the post. In this world of online technology, receiving something as simple as a handwritten note will make you stand out from the crowd and get you noticed.
Your clients will appreciate that you have taken a few minutes out of your busy day to think just about them.
And you don’t just have to restrict this sentiment to clients. Why not send something to a prospect that you would like to work with?
How to delight and surprise your clients
It doesn’t have to be expensive to send something personal in the post. After all, remember the adage that ‘it’s the thought that counts’.
Take a look through the following list to get some ideas flowing:
- You could simply buy a pack of plain note cards and write a personal message to them.
- Or buy packs of postcards with motivational quotes on the front and pop a handwritten note on the back.
- If you see an article in a magazine that is relevant, how about cutting it out and sending it to them – so much more effective than sending a link to an online article via email?
- Consider getting some personalised bookmarks printed up with your branding and sending those out as gifts.
- Think about sending a voucher to spend with your business. If you are a masseur, hairdresser or provide products, a voucher is easy. If you are a coach or consultant, create a voucher to redeem for a free 30-minute session with you.
- Do you have a client that you suspect is feeling tired or overwhelmed? Why not pin a tea bag to a short note telling them to take 5 mins out on you and sit down with a cuppa? Guaranteed to make them laugh, feel loved and remember you!
- Or how about sending a small (or large) chocolate bar to give them a treat?
- For long-standing and valued clients, send a beautiful notebook
- Or an inspirational book of your choosing
- Or a gift card ……
These things are inexpensive yet will help build relationships that will generate you much more money in the future through clients who feel nurtured and valued and who will stay loyal to you. Your gift doesn’t have to be expensive to be memorable. It has to be special and feel personal.
What ideas do you have to delight and surprise your clients in unexpected ways? Let me know in the comments below.
You are soooo on my wavelength on this one Angie. I have always loved making or giving little notes, poems and letters to people as a token of my appreciation so it was easy to roll over into my business. Have you discovered Touchnote, you can send real postcards by post (a lovely surprise in between the bills) with your photo/graphic, with your logo on and you can of course add a personal note. They are dead easy to do, I like to send mine with language learning feedback Memes using lovely photos or as a ‘was lovely to meet you’ after networking events. I would love to hear how else people have done this in the past. I once sent a hair grip to a potential client as a thank you with a poem, because I had asked her how she had fixed her hair so beautifully. I went back months later and it was on her desk with my business card in full view of everybody that came in. The hair grip cost me less than 50p but it took me half an hour to pack and another 20 minutes for the poem, a trip to the post office but I got the work and we were working together until she left the organisation.
Those of your customers that use personal videos to make an impression on clients might enjoy this week’s Twitter Hour actually on Thursday at 2pm Uk time at #BizEngChat. I have an expert coming in to share his tips and tricks.
Hi Corinne. What a wonderful story about the hairgrip. It just goes to show that it is the small things that make a big difference. I haven’t used Touchnote before so will go take a look. Thanks for the tip.
Angie this is the most imaginative post I’ve read in ages. What fabulous ideas, and Corinne’s too. Thankyou both.
Regards
Anita Dow
Thank you for your lovely feedback Anita. Much appreciated.