Valentine’s Day -- What Better Time to Tell Your Clients You Care
by: Yoon Cannon
Hearts and valentines can warm up a snowy winter and with Valentine’s Day around the corner what better way to brighten up someone’s day than by showing them you care? Ok, Hallmark has the market cornered on romance but, this year why don’t you go out on a limb and express your “thanks” to your clients?
Show you care by going the extra mile. Why not send your clients a simple box of chocolates, chocolate covered pretzels, personalized M&M’s, personalized wrapped Hershey bars … (you get the idea.) If you’re on a shoe string budget, here’s a free way you could let them know you care. You could make a valuable introduction, make a phone call, send an email on their behalf. There are many ways you could show your appreciation by reaching out and doing something for them with no “What’s In It For Me” playing on your internal radio station.
When I work with clients on their company's leadership development and management training (another way I help them grow their business) I like to drill into their minds one of my leadership proverbs: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." ... Well, there's quite the parallel here when it comes to how you plan on boosting your client referrals and retention.
So, how can you show your clients that you care? First off, have a planning meeting with your key staff (or with just yourself if you are a solo practitioner). Decide what your actions will be to thank and appreciate your clients. You can start with your key clients. You could send flowers, a candy gift basket, a bagel basket, a fruit floral arrangement, a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, a business book, a business audiobook, a $5 Starbucks gift card, 4 pieces of homemade brownies, funny cards, inspirational cards, or something else. If you choose the same item, let’s a say a gift basket of goodies, schedule it with the vendor to out x after first month with you, a bigger basket after 12 months, an even larger one after 24 months, etc. The idea here is that it’s systematized and automatic.
Your clients need to know how much you care (thoughtfulness goes a long way) before you and your company can become highly referable. Set up a Google alert with the names of some of your key clients and whenever their accomplishments land in the news, send them a congratulations card from the inventory of different cards you will now have at your disposal in your client appreciation closet. And, that's exactly how your clients also become your raving, loyal fans who will follow you (despite cheaper options) like groupies who parade you like a walking billboard.
While you’ll reap the benefits if you start making giving a part of your success strategy all year long, there’s no better time to start than the present. Let the caring spirit of Valentine’s Day be your guide.
Client referrals are a big part of every business. If you are not getting at least 50% of your business from client referrals I want to invite you to set up a time for your free ½ hour discovery session to explore how you can accelerate growing your business. Contact me at http://www.paramountbusinesscoach.com/ or call 215-292-4947.
by: Yoon Cannon
  |
Hearts and valentines can warm up a snowy winter and with Valentine’s Day around the corner what better way to brighten up someone’s day than by showing them you care? Ok, Hallmark has the market cornered on romance but, this year why don’t you go out on a limb and express your “thanks” to your clients?
Show you care by going the extra mile. Why not send your clients a simple box of chocolates, chocolate covered pretzels, personalized M&M’s, personalized wrapped Hershey bars … (you get the idea.) If you’re on a shoe string budget, here’s a free way you could let them know you care. You could make a valuable introduction, make a phone call, send an email on their behalf. There are many ways you could show your appreciation by reaching out and doing something for them with no “What’s In It For Me” playing on your internal radio station.
When I work with clients on their company's leadership development and management training (another way I help them grow their business) I like to drill into their minds one of my leadership proverbs: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." ... Well, there's quite the parallel here when it comes to how you plan on boosting your client referrals and retention.
So, how can you show your clients that you care? First off, have a planning meeting with your key staff (or with just yourself if you are a solo practitioner). Decide what your actions will be to thank and appreciate your clients. You can start with your key clients. You could send flowers, a candy gift basket, a bagel basket, a fruit floral arrangement, a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, a business book, a business audiobook, a $5 Starbucks gift card, 4 pieces of homemade brownies, funny cards, inspirational cards, or something else. If you choose the same item, let’s a say a gift basket of goodies, schedule it with the vendor to out x after first month with you, a bigger basket after 12 months, an even larger one after 24 months, etc. The idea here is that it’s systematized and automatic.
Your clients need to know how much you care (thoughtfulness goes a long way) before you and your company can become highly referable. Set up a Google alert with the names of some of your key clients and whenever their accomplishments land in the news, send them a congratulations card from the inventory of different cards you will now have at your disposal in your client appreciation closet. And, that's exactly how your clients also become your raving, loyal fans who will follow you (despite cheaper options) like groupies who parade you like a walking billboard.
While you’ll reap the benefits if you start making giving a part of your success strategy all year long, there’s no better time to start than the present. Let the caring spirit of Valentine’s Day be your guide.
Client referrals are a big part of every business. If you are not getting at least 50% of your business from client referrals I want to invite you to set up a time for your free ½ hour discovery session to explore how you can accelerate growing your business. Contact me at http://www.paramountbusinesscoach.com/ or call 215-292-4947.
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