You've heard the phrase, “Your best customer is your current customer.” Why? Because your current customers already know what you do and have demonstrated their willingness to buy from you; acquiring a new customer costs five to ten times as much as keeping an existing customer. Plus, repeat customers generally spend more – up to 67% more – than new ones.
What does this mean? It's time to show your loyal customers some love! There are many ways to show your customers you're thinking about them, you appreciate their business and want them to keep coming back. Ideally, you'll develop raving fans of your business who want to share their excitement and tell others what you do, spreading the word for you for free through social media. Here are three tips for improving customer loyalty and sales.
1) Keep in Touch – How often do you touch base with your customers? Do you send out a monthly newsletter in the mail or via email? Do you alert them to specials and offers that are available on your Facebook page? Do you call your customers individually after the purchase of a big-ticket item to see if they're satisfied? These are all great ways to stay on your customers' radar and keep them thinking about you. (Just be careful not to email them too much!)
2) Get Their Feedback – Wondering how you could better serve your clients? Ask them! Create a survey to find out how satisfied they are with your products or services and then see what you can do to act on their suggestions. If you're thinking of trying out a new product, ask your customers to vote for colors, styles, features, etc., through online polls.
3) Find Special Ways to Show You Care – In doing some recent web research for a client, I came across an excellent testimonial from a customer. The company was a family-owned funeral home, and the customer explained that they not only did a wonderful, professional job with her family member’s funeral, but took the time to write her a hand-written note on the one-year anniversary of the funeral to let her know that they knew it would be an emotional time and were thinking of her. How impressive and thoughtful is that?
What other great customer appreciation ideas do you have? Leave a comment!
What does this mean? It's time to show your loyal customers some love! There are many ways to show your customers you're thinking about them, you appreciate their business and want them to keep coming back. Ideally, you'll develop raving fans of your business who want to share their excitement and tell others what you do, spreading the word for you for free through social media. Here are three tips for improving customer loyalty and sales.
1) Keep in Touch – How often do you touch base with your customers? Do you send out a monthly newsletter in the mail or via email? Do you alert them to specials and offers that are available on your Facebook page? Do you call your customers individually after the purchase of a big-ticket item to see if they're satisfied? These are all great ways to stay on your customers' radar and keep them thinking about you. (Just be careful not to email them too much!)
2) Get Their Feedback – Wondering how you could better serve your clients? Ask them! Create a survey to find out how satisfied they are with your products or services and then see what you can do to act on their suggestions. If you're thinking of trying out a new product, ask your customers to vote for colors, styles, features, etc., through online polls.
3) Find Special Ways to Show You Care – In doing some recent web research for a client, I came across an excellent testimonial from a customer. The company was a family-owned funeral home, and the customer explained that they not only did a wonderful, professional job with her family member’s funeral, but took the time to write her a hand-written note on the one-year anniversary of the funeral to let her know that they knew it would be an emotional time and were thinking of her. How impressive and thoughtful is that?
What other great customer appreciation ideas do you have? Leave a comment!