Two small words that can have a huge impact.

If you’re in business, you know the importance of thanking your clients, your suppliers and anyone else who help you along the way. Unfortunately, if you’re a small business, your “thank you” budget is a fraction of what it used to be when our economy wasn’t so pinched. But to sound cliche, it’s the thought that counts and a more personal way to say “thank you” can cost almost nothing.

Gone are the days of extravagant dinners,  sports tickets and other expensive gifts to thank our best customers. Even if you’re business is extremely flush with revenue, the new business culture says that this show of appreciation is not only gone but it’s a no-no in most companies.

So how do you thank those people who deserve it? A more personal and ultimately more effective way to say thank you can cost you next to nothing and yet say volumes.

1. Send a handwritten note. (My fave!) We get 100’s of emails each day. Can you say delete? Companies that take the time to send a handwritten note really stand out from all the communication ‘noise’. Generic notecards or ones personalized with your company’s colours/logo are a great way to let people know how much they are appreciated.  A $2 scratch and win lottery ticket or a $5 coffee card is another way to make your note memorable. Want to stand out even more? Create and send postcards from actual photos of them, their company, you …. be creative!

2. Call them. I know, your day is busy enough without having to make that one extra phone call. Hellooo? Pick up the phone with no agenda other than to tell your customer how much and why you appreciate their business. Nobody does this anymore so you will definitely stand out from the crowd. Not in? Leave an upbeat message that your customers will remember.

3. Tweet It. Post It. Pin It.  Thank your best customers publicly on a social media platform that they use often. It’s like a mini testimonial. (and who doesn’t like testimonials no matter how small?!)

4. Say it with video. Our phones are no longer the benign communication devices of 5 years ago. Take a video! Post it on YouTube, send it to them in an email, share it on FB

5. Create an anniversary. A cool thing that we do for our members of The Connected Woman Association is to celebrate milestone memberships. 1st year, 5th year as well as birthdays. Create a special day for each of your clients and recognize them.  Get creative in your recognition – a mock newspaper ad, a magazine cover, send a bag of microwave popcorn and a balloon for an instant party.

6. Throw a Party. Have a thank you event for customers where they can learn something related to the business, make new connections and feel special. Idea! Hire a photographer (or use that handy phone of yours!) to take pictures of your guests. Post them on  your website with their titles – everyone loves to see their name in print! – or print copies and send in an inexpensive frame to your attendees. 

7. Showcase your customers’ business on your website or in your eNews. Every customer likes the free marketing that comes from being showcased by another company. Use their logo, add a link. Create a thank-you page on your site that highlights your top customers and why you appreciate them so much. (remember the photos?) 

Ok, there’s a few to get you started. Tell me in the comments below how you recognize and thank your customers!

Now Go Get Connected!

About Cathy Kuzel

With 25+ years of experience as a successful Entrepreneur and Business Consultant helping Entrepreneurs succeed, she is recognized across Canada for her in-house and public seminars on “All Things Small Biz”. Named one of the Top Ten Mentors in Canada, Cathy is the Founder of The Connected Woman Association, Author of “Are You a Collector or a Connector?”; “I’m on the Phone!”; the internationally known “Daily Espressos” and is a networking maven.