Top 7 Ways to Show Your Customers You Care
Even a small gesture can go a long way with a client and will be appreciated.
Nowadays, having a good product or service isn’t enough. Relationships are the differentiator.
Today many companies are making investments in customer advocacy and loyalty programs for this very reason. We’ve seen this in the SaaS world with the increasing rise of customer success and customer happiness teams who are focused on growing and nurturing long-term customer relationships.
No matter the size of your company, not taking proactive steps to show customers you care is a recipe for failure. For small businesses it might be challenging to carve out significant budget for a large-scale program. But the good news is there are small gestures you can do today that can go a long way in making customers feel special. And who doesn’t want that, right?
So, let’s take a look at 7 ways you can show your customers you care:
1. Give ‘Em Some Swag
A new customer comes on board, they are excited about your product or service. It is a perfect opportunity to build on that momentum and help set the tone for the relationship. Here’s where swag comes into play.
You’ve probably heard the term before, and if you’ve been to events or trade shows, you probably have your fair share of swag. From branded T-shirts and water bottles to phone chargers and moleskins, having a strong swag game is a must. Think about things that would be handy for your customers and also subtly tie back to your product or service.
Send new customers swag packs to say thanks. They are always a hit, so much so that folks would love more for their teams!
2. Ask for Feedback
This is a given, but ask your customers for feedback.
There are a handful of ways you can do this, for example it could be a quick email or text, a survey or a casual coffee chat with your local customers.
Asking for feedback helps reinforce that it is a partnership, not a one-time transaction and demonstrates you want to help them get the most out of your product or service. And remember, customers who share feedback are likely eager to know what’s happening. So be sure to follow-up, even if it is not something happening today. This will help show you’re not only listening but taking action.
3. Share Their Story (Everyone Loves Some Limelight!)
Always a fun one. But as you hear success stories from customers, share them! There are few things more powerful than positive customer stories.
Turn them into case studies or testimonials (extra points if you can do a video testimonial!) you highlight on your website and can promote through your social channels. Sharing customer success stories is great for your product or service, as well as great marketing for your customer. Often, this is an opportunity for them to be seen as a leader in their respective field. They will be excited to share it with friends and peers, helping amplify your efforts. A win-win.
4. Give Them a Shout Out on Social Media
Social naturally lends itself well to a place to show your customers love.
Don’t be shy about giving them a shout out on channels like Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Highlight customer comments and soundbites, respond to mentions of your brand or product or even congratulate them on big milestones like work anniversaries or new roles. And thanks to mobile devices and apps, you can do this in a matter of seconds no matter where you are.
5. Give Them Early Access to New Features or Services
Customers love the chance to get a sneak peek at upcoming features or services.
Consider giving your early adopters and power users the opportunity to be the first to try out new features or services. Give them a preview of the upcoming product roadmap, invite them into a beta program and maybe even the chance to interact with your product teams. The ‘exclusive’ nature will make them feel special, and you’ll likely walk away with useful feedback to weave into your product or service.
6. Introduce Them to Other Customers
As your customer base grows and grows (don’t say grows twice), chances are you have a handful of customers who share mutually beneficial interests or business pursuits.
So help your customers win a few new customers of their own by sending some referrals their way. Not only will they be ecstatic, but it positions you as a partner and they will likely share some leads your way too. Warm introductions are invaluable!
7. Send Them a Handwritten Thank You Note
While I am all about embracing new tools, I am a huge fan of sending customers handwritten thank you notes. In today’s digital society, a personalized handwritten note can really stand out to your customers. It doesn’t have to be long, just be sure your penmanship is legible 🙂
You don’t have to break the bank to show your customers you care. A small gesture can go a long way and will no doubt be appreciated.
So get creative and spread the love, you won’t regret it!
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