A lot goes into finding new customers and clients. From designing the right products and services to online marketing, getting new customers is an important way to increase your bottom line, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way.
Did you know 80 percent of your future profits are likely to come from just 20 percent of your existing customers? Or that 65-percent of your business comes from existing customers? With stats like that, it’s easy to see why you should be doing more to make your existing customers feel special!
Keep those customers coming back for more by providing them with special treatment. These ideas will help you get started.
Make Returns Free
“Sixty percent of new customers will check your returns policy before completing a purchase,” according to ShipHero.
If they do, what will they find? If they discover that they will have to pay for return shipping, they are likely to think more carefully about their purchase.
Instead, make returns free. That means providing customers with free postage when requested, or make things even easier by including return postage in each package. Although it requires extra steps, and ultimately extra money, by eliminating this customer worry, you can encourage them to make a purchase they’re on the fence about. Not to mention, it will show them you care about customer service!
Create a Loyalty Program
Holding sales and handing out coupons are both great ways to get customers interested in purchasing your products or services, but why not take things up a notch by offering special deals and discounts to your customers with a loyalty program?
Customer loyalty programs, also sometimes known as rewards programs, are a great way to communicate directly with your most active customers and provide them with special deals, early product releases, and points that the general public isn’t privy to.
More importantly, loyalty programs work. They have been shown to increase customer retention, increase purchases, and increase referrals. Not to mention, they’re a great way to provide your customers with exceptional value.
Throw Something Extra in with Their Purchase
We all love free things. Most of us also like surprises. Why not kill two birds with one stone by throwing in a little something extra the next time your customer makes a purchase?
There are a lot of great client gift ideas that include:
- Gift cards
- Calendars
- Online classes
- Free eBook downloads
- Candy or cookies
To make sure your free gift has the greatest impact, it should be personalized. If you know your customers well, include an individual gift you know each customer would like. If you’re giving the same gift for each purchase, customize it with your company name, a thank-you, or a special message.
Hold a Special Event for Customers
In a world of instant communicate through text messaging and emails, not to mention online ordering, face-to-face interactions are becoming less and less common. However, getting together the old-fashioned way can be a fantastic way to show your customers a little attention.
Hosting a customer event is a great way to promote your business and thank customers at the same time, and there are tons of ways to do it! Consider hosting a dinner party and offering free food and drinks, or invite loyal customers to a pre-release party of your latest product.
Make sure you think carefully about the purpose of your event and who you’re inviting. For example, a dinner party is a great way to mingle with customers, but with the addition of a Q and A session, you can get even more from the gathering.
Send Them a Handwritten Note
Handwritten notes seem to be a dying art. Most people would rather send an email or a text message. That means you can really stick out if you put pen to paper.
Handwritten notes make you more influential. It’s a genuine way to connect with your customers that is sure to evoke more feelings than a business card or an email.
Throw in a handwritten note with every purchasing thanking your customers for their business. Send handwritten notes out on birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions to make your customers feel extra special.
Your customers are what keep you in business, so make sure you thank them for their support! With the ideas on this list, you can give your customers special treatment, boosting their loyalty and the success of your business at the same time.
