{"id":22958,"date":"2019-02-22T15:15:54","date_gmt":"2019-02-22T21:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ipromo.com\/blog\/?p=22958"},"modified":"2019-12-24T09:31:55","modified_gmt":"2019-12-24T15:31:55","slug":"customer-appreciation-in-2020-the-best-thank-you-gifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ipromo.com\/customer-appreciation-in-2020-the-best-thank-you-gifts\/","title":{"rendered":"Customer Appreciation in 2020: The Best Thank You Gifts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Customer appreciation is important. If for anything, showing gratitude for someone purchasing your products or services is common courtesy. Plus, you always want to build those bridges for future business opportunities.<\/p>\n

Most experts agree that retaining current customers is always cheaper than trying to find new ones. \u201cA long-term customer is of more value than a single-deal customer,\u201d writes Larry Myler for Forbes<\/a>, \u201cand it\u2019s a lot less expensive to keep a current customer than to acquire a new one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Depending on which study you believe, and what industry you\u2019re in, acquiring a new customer is anywhere from five to 25 times more expensive than retaining an existing one.\u201d \u2013 Harvard Business Review<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In addition to customer retention, you are also likely to get new business from customer referrals. If a customer feels appreciated, they will refer someone to your business<\/a>. This customer then becomes a retained customer who\u2026\u2026..well, you get the picture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more thanks you give them, the more thanks they can show you back.\u201d \u2013 Constant Contact<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cA happy customer may be more likely to not only come back but to also spread the word about your company,\u201d writes Bruna Martinuzzi<\/a>. \u201cThis can help build your brand’s reputation as a good company to do business with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Customer appreciation can be as simple as saying \u201cthank you.\u201d However, there are also some other unique ways to show appreciation, most of them without breaking the bank. Here are some of the most inexpensive ways to say thanks.<\/p>\n

\"CustomSending Them a Personal Thank You Note<\/h2>\n

Personal. That’s the word we want to emphasize. Personal!<\/p>\n

We are not talking about giving away mass produced cards that say, \u201cthank you for shopping with us.\u201d You need to make it personal so that the customer feels you are paying attention just to them. Here is how to incorporate it into your business.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say you have a hair salon<\/a> and want to give a personal thank you note. Simply use a card (even your business card) and write the personal message. Say something personal like what you talked about when they were getting their hair done (e.g., \u201cenjoy your vacation\u201d or \u201cgood luck in the new job\u201d). Slip that into their bag or write it on the back of their appointment card.<\/p>\n

Simply adapt this method for whatever industry you are in. For instance, a tailor can slip a hand-written note into a suite pocket that says, \u201csend me a picture when you are out on the town.\u201d Including an email address and you capture two birds with one stone (collecting a follow-up method and showing appreciation).<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say the customer does send you a picture. There\u2019s no reason to stop there. Show them off on social media.<\/p>\n

\"ShowingShow Off Your Customer on Social Media<\/h2>\n

Speaking of asking someone to send you a picture, this would be a good time (with their permission of course) to show them off on social media. It will give them some recognition, make them feel appreciated, and also market your brand at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnow of a recent accomplishment or privy to some big news about a customer? Give them a shout out on your social media page!\u201d \u2013 3dcart<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One of the best examples we can use comes from a testimonial on Constant Contact<\/a>. A yoga teacher posted pictures of her students in a class on their Facebook page. While this may seem like a small gesture, it had a big impact for one of the students.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat may seem like a simple gesture from the studio was really a WOW! moment for [the student] who continues to be one of the studio\u2019s biggest fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Provide a Discount For Repeat Business (and Referrals)<\/h2>\n

Building relationships is about more than money. However, sometimes money is how customers feel appreciated.<\/p>\n

Give loyal customers discounts for repeat purchases. In fact, consider implementing a customer loyalty program. If you don\u2019t believe they work, walk into any business today and let us know how many of them don\u2019t use a loyalty program. The odds are you won\u2019t find many.<\/p>\n

\"Referral<\/p>\n

\u201cLoyalty programs are effective at retaining customer by preventing them from turning to the competition,\u201d writes Greg Kihlstrom from Forbes Councils<\/a>. \u201cThese programs can also maximize the lifetime value of a customer by offering incentives to spend more and buy more.\u201d<\/p>\n

You also need to give something for customers who refer new clients. You can do a number of things (such as giving that handwritten thank you note) but providing a coupon for a free or discounted item can really show that you care and appreciate the referral.<\/p>\n

So, in addition to helping you earn repeat business, you are showing your appreciation by offering your customers something they normally wouldn\u2019t receive.<\/p>\n

Now on to our favorite method of customer appreciation. You guessed it \u2013 using inexpensive promotional gifts.<\/p>\n

\"Custom<\/a>Saying Thanks with Inexpensive Promotional Gifts<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s what we do so we have to mention it, but personalized gifts can be an inexpensive way to thank your customers. It is also one of the best ways to create a positive image for your brand and get loads of cheap advertising based on cost per impression<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In addition to showing your appreciation, giving inexpensive promotional gifts can help build brand awareness. Thinks about it like this. In addition to having a happy customer who receives a personalized gift, you wind up giving them an item that becomes a billboard for your company.<\/p>\n

Here is a better way to look at it.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say you decide to give a customer a customized tote bag<\/a>. You should know that each bag you give away will generate an average of 3,300 impressions during its lifetime. In addition, customers keep them an average of 11 months. Statistics show that half of these customers will be more likely to do business with you again because of receiving the bag.<\/p>\n

Now take the cost into consideration. If the average cost of a custom tote bag is $5, the cost per impression is less than 2\/10th<\/sup> of a penny. As far as inexpensive promotional gifts are concerns, promotional bags are very cheap.<\/p>\n

Here are a few other inexpensive promotional gifts and the cost per impression for each:<\/p>\n