Say “Thanks” To Your Gift Basket Customers
OK. So it seems obvious: we need to say “thank you” to our customers. But how often do we really do this? How often in our busy day do we forget (or neglect) to acknowledge our customers’ support and loyalty?
I’m sorry to admit that I might “forget” too often! I get caught up in the daily activities of running my business, the details involved when managing, supervising, creating, and shipping, handling the bookkeeping, keeping up with inventory (and on and on and on). An article that I read on managesmarter.com (an on-line resource for sales and marketing professionals) reminded me about how important those “thank yous” are and how easy it can be to express our appreciation to customers.
Author Andrea Nierenberg lists eight opportunities to say “thank you” to our customers. Here are some of her suggestions about when to say “THANKS”:
- Every time a customer does business with you! Get some note cards printed with your business name and include a short note with every order you ship. It can be a simple note: “Thanks for your business. I hope you’re delighted with your order”. You (or the person who designed the gift basket) can sign the note. Use the customer’s first name for a more personal touch.
- Every time a customer offers a comment or suggestion! This is invaluable feedback for a business owner that can help you change what you’re doing and thereby do a better job. We need to go out of our way to let customers know that we appreciate these comments and encourage them to do it often.
- When customers are patient…or not so patient! Sometimes, we make mistakes and hopefully, our customers understand this. If they’ve been patient with us, despite mistakes we made, we certainly need to say thanks! Whether they respond with understanding or voice their dissatisfaction, it’s time to write a note and let them know we appreciate their feedback. Even when we’re at fault, an acknowledgment of the error, an apology and a “hope you’ll give us the opportunity to serve you in the future” can go a long way.
Read the full article for more ideas on when to say “thanks” to your customers. Also, check out Shirley Frazier’s “Ten Top Letters” which includes samples of “Thank You” and other business letters that you’ll use every day in your gift basket business.
P.S. If you don’t read the full article, here’s the author’s bonus suggestion:
“Every day take 15 minutes at the beginning or end of the day and write three short goodwill notes: one to a prospect, one to a client and one to a friend. Just say “Hi,” send an article, or say thanks—just make it specific. When you do this, at the end of the week you’ll have made 15 goodwill contacts, and at the end of the year, 750. Think of the “business seeds” you’ll have planted. Some of this could germinate into additional business.”
1 comment March 6th, 2009
