It’s an unpredictable time for small businesses, no matter your industry. Business owners are looking for creative ways to generate more sales, but often they focus too much energy on finding new prospects and not enough on retaining and activating their past customers. How do you make sure those people don’t forget you?
Research has shown that 60-80% of satisfied customers don’t go back to the business that initially satisfied them. Why? Many people simply can’t remember the name of the person who helped them find a health insurance plan five years ago or inspected their house last summer. One way to be memorable is to give a memorable client thank you gift.
These gifts don’t need to be extraordinarily expensive or hard to find. They do need to show your customers that you put thought into it, and that they mean more to you than just a deal.
Here are five client thank you gift ideas that are impressive and easy to do.
1. Go old-school with a handwritten note.
In a world where it’s easy to send a quick text or an email to say thank you, the effort it takes to send a handwritten note makes this gesture extra special.
To make this part of your routine, keep a stack of generic, blank cards handy. Simply write a few lines about how much you appreciated or enjoyed working together. Or, have someone else send it for you. Services like Postable and Sent-Well will write, address, stamp and send cards to anyone you choose. Tell them what to say and where to send it and they make it happen. You can also include a gift card for even greater impact.
This simple, thoughtful gesture will make your client smile and will help them recall your name when their friends or family ask for referrals.
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2. Send a special delivery.
Much like getting a thank you note in the mail, getting a special delivery is always fun. There are classics like cookies and flowers, but also plenty of opportunities to break away from the ordinary and try something unique.
Seeing as how they have everything else, so it shouldn’t come as a total surprise that Target has gift baskets. Order online and pick up in-store or have your gift baskets delivered. If you want something a little more unique, Etsy also has a large selection of gift baskets. You can support another small business and will likely be able to customize your order more than you would when ordering through a big company.
Other gift baskets and boxes to consider:
- These gourmet options curated by The Wirecutter
- Boxfox
- Happy Box Store
- Something Splendid
- Knack
Want to earn even more points? Send the delivery to your client’s office. Not only do they get to show off their treats to their coworkers, but they’ll be telling everyone all day that it was you who sent it. This type of client thank you gift is a win-win; your client feels appreciated and you get your name and business in front of potential customers.
3. Make it personal.
When you’re working one-on-one with clients, you’re bound to talk about subjects outside of the business at hand. Do they have a dog? A hobby? Are they super fans of a sports team? Take notes during these conversations and use the information to find a gift that is perfect for them.
Does your client who just opened a bakery want flowers? Maybe. While the thought is still there, the impact isn’t the same as if you bought them a customized apron to mark the occasion. Taking the extra time to find a client thank you gift specific to what they love or where they are in life won’t be easily forgotten.
Examples include a mortgage loan officer giving a first-time homeowner a stamp with their new home’s address on it, or an insurance agent giving a Starbucks gift card to clients who have a newborn at home. It can even be as simple as a new toy for their pet or a coffee cup with their favorite team’s logo on it.
Combining the practical nature and thought of these client thank you gifts is sure to help them feel appreciated as more than just a transaction.
4. Make it a family affair.
Dropping off a bottle of bubbly for clients that found the perfect home for their growing family is fun and festive, but it isn’t something the whole family can enjoy. What about a board game they can play together in their new living room or a gift card to a local restaurant to explore a new neighborhood?
Giving a family-friendly gift not only delights the whole household but also reinforces the fact that you understand their situation and can anticipate their unique needs.
5. Make it local.
Is your area known for a particular type of food, beverage or product? Do you have a favorite local artisan that you love to spread the word about? Share that with your clients in the form of a gift!
In times when many small businesses are struggling, choosing to support a local business shows clients that you have integrity and care about your community.
Alternately, if a client has just moved to your area from far away, giving them a gift of specialties from their hometown can be a touching, incredibly memorable gesture.
Keep in Touch, Always
A thank you gift may be the end of a particular transaction, but it shouldn’t be the end of your relationship with your clients. You should also be regularly sending emails and keeping your social media accounts active so they see your brand on a regular basis. These tasks are important to build brand awareness and customer retention, but they’re also time-consuming.
That’s where OutboundEngine can help. We use marketing automation to automatically send engaging, relevant content to your network on a regular basis. Schedule a free demo today to see how OutboundEngine can give you more time to focus on what your customers need instead of worrying about your marketing strategy.
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