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Tip #326: Show Your Customers Some Love with Inexpensive Customer Appreciation Ideas

Posted By RCI, Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Updated: Monday, April 27, 2020

 

Customers are essential to any business. Finding ways to make them feel valued is key to creating return customers and champions for your business. Below we’ve shared five easy and inexpensive customer appreciation ideas to show your customers some love today.
 
Choose a Customer of the Day
Use the element of surprise to delight your customers. Use your POS system or an old-school tally counter to identify your 10th customer and surprise them with one of your signature products for free or a discount on their purchase. Post a photo of the lucky winner on social media to drive in-store traffic. Let customers know they’re just as appreciated during busy holidays as they are on a random Tuesday.

Think of the kids
Being part of an industry that relies heavily on gifting holidays, consider ways to cater to shoppers with kids. By simply creating a space for kids to color and enjoy a snack, parents will be able to shop more privately for Christmas/Valentine’s Day/Easter gifts in peace. Share photos of the space on social media with details on what parents can expect and watch as grateful parents thank you with their business.
 
Bon Bon's Candy Housecreated this space for kids to color and enjoy snacks
while grateful parents shopped for their Easter gifts in peace.
Send a handwritten thank you card
It may be old school, but a thoughtful handwritten note is one of the easiest and inexpensive ways to show you care. If you have access to your customers’ mailing addresses through a loyalty program or corporate accounts, consider making it a habit each week to mail a few handwritten notes to your customers. Try to make it personal or include a coupon to use on their next visit. You may be surprised how much of an impact this simple act of kindness will make.
 
Train your team to call customers by their first name
Calling customers by their first name makes their shopping experience personal. Train your staff to look for customers’ first names on their credit card and, then, call customers by name when thanking them for their purchase. Over time, staff are more likely to remember repeat customers and will be able to recall their names without even looking.
 
Say “thanks” with a video
A study by TD Banks revealed, more than 80% of customers like getting thanked in person. Since this isn’t always possible, a thank-you video from you may be the next best (and certainly memorable) option. If you request data, like customer birthdays, consider creating an email template with a video or GIF (create your own GIFs with the app, Giphy Cam) of you wishing customers a happy birthday and send it to a group of customers who all share the same birthday month. Even though it’s a template, the message will feel more personal and special with a video coming from you.

Bufferis a social media management business that used this fun GIF
to thank customers for their business.

You don't have to wait for Customer Appreciation Day on April 18 to celebrate your customers. That's why we've shared ideas easy enough to start incorporating into your business today or any day. How do you show your customers you care? Share in the comments below.

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Tags:  Customer Appreciation  email marketing  Holidays  Marketing 

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Tip # 232: Reward Customers with a Loyalty Program

Posted By RCI, Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020

According to Entrepreneur.com, 64% of businesses that utilize customer loyalty programs report it’s been effective, meaning it makes more money than it costs to maintain it. For small businesses, a customer loyalty program is an effective way to compete with big businesses while leveraging the program to engage with your customers on a more personal level.

Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Jacksonville, Florida leverages customer loyalty through their Peterbrooke Rewards app, a digital customer loyalty program. Digital loyalty programs mean businesses no longer have to waste time and money printing paper punch cards and entering customer information manually. Digital loyalty apps also make it easier for customers to participate.

Despite common perceptions, reasonably priced digital customer loyalty programs are available. Entrepreneur.com recommends digital loyalty programs, Perkville and Belly. Monthly subscriptions for basic packages can cost anywhere from $29 per month to more than $100 per month.

If you’re looking to make your business stand out, apart from the big box stores, consider what a loyalty program would look like for your business. Click here for 6 tips from Quickbooks® on creating a customer loyalty program.


Meet fellow confectioners and industry suppliers at RCI's Annual Convention & Industry Expo next month and learn more valuable ways to improve your business! Register online now and join us in Chicagoland June 12-16, 2017!

Tags:  Customer Appreciation  Customer Service  Loyalty App  Loyalty Program 

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Tip # 202: 5 Tips for Creating a Memorable Promotional Event

Posted By RCI, Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
 
Hosting a promotional event is a great way to develop new customers and increase traffic from existing customers. RCI member, Randy Good of Good’s Candy Shop, instructed attendees at RCI’s Merchandising Essentials course on how to execute a successful promotional experience. Here you will find five tips for building your business through effective promotional events.
 
 
 
Abbott's Candiesdemonstrates hand tempering for tour guests.
#1: Design an Event Around What You Do Best
 

For candy makers, this is the perfect opportunity to illustrate the care and attention that goes into your confections through candy-making demonstrations. Open your production facility for tours and allow guests to watch and sample your products.
 
We recommend complying with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), by requiring guests entering your production space to wear hair/beard nets and closed-toe shoes, to remove jewelry and abide by any other regulations made by Federal and State government. With clear communication of your guidelines, your guests will understand and appreciate the steps you’ve taken to ensure for the quality of your products and for their individual safety – plus, who doesn’t love taking a selfie in a hairnet?!

#2: Create a “Sticky” Event Name

When creating a name for your event, think of names that will “stick” or stand out in peoples’ minds. A memorable event name will help with the promotion of your event by capturing the attention of possible attendees, as well as the local media. If you host the event on an annual basis, this will also increase the chances of attendees to remember the previous events and the great time they had!
Goodstockis just one of many eventsGood's Candy Shophosts to draw traffic to their retail store.
Staff atGood's Candy Shoptake pride in representing their brand.
 #3: Represent Your Brand at its Best
 
Before you welcome new visitors into your business, keep in mind you only have one chance to make a first impression. Make sure all aspects of your business represent what your brand is or hopes to be. Not only should your store sparkle from front to back (even the area behind the counter that “no one” sees), your staff’s appearance should also reflect your brand. If your associates have a uniform or dress code, before an event is a good time to evaluate whether or not they need new aprons, name tags, branded apparel, etc. and to remind all staff of any guidelines pertaining to their attire. If you don’t have a dress code, consider creating an event t-shirt for your staff to wear – this will not only create a more cohesive look for your team, but help customers better identify staff if they have questions.

#4: Train Your Staff to Give
 
 
Successful events are about giving to the community. Train your staff on how to give information, courtesy, smiles and samples. Providing basic talking points or key phrases can help staff feel confident and better prepared to offer exception customer service to guests.

Samples are served with a smile atRebecca-Ruth Candies.
Donaldson's Finer Chocolatesisprepared to handle a crowd.

#5: Plan the Logistical Flow of Guests
 
 
Creating a plan for the flow of traffic through your facility can make a significant impact on the guest experience. Determine a plan to gently guide guests within your space by assigning specific staff to various touch points. Starting (most importantly) with a welcome greeting at the entrance, plan for three to four touch points (or more depending on the size of your store). At each touch point, station staff to offer product samples and even the chance to win a prize for signing up to receive promotional emails or joining your birthday club.  By planning ahead, you can prevent potential bottle necks and ensure your guests get the most out of their experience.

Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Tags:  branding  Customer Appreciation  Customer Service  Events  Marketing  Owning a Business 

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Tip #172: Give thanks to your customers and staff year around!

Posted By RCI, Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
RCI membersPeterbrooke Chocolatier(top) andMadelaine Chocolate Company(bottom)
showcase their turkey-time treats on social media.
 

Thanksgiving is the time of year when we all take pause to give thanks to the people and things that bless and enrich our lives. For businesses, this often takes form in a variety of thinly veiled ploys to lure shoppers in the doors for a sale or an open house. Not that there is anything wrong with this, because it is also the one of time of the year when shoppers are most willing to spend money. However, unless you are practically giving away flat-screen TVs or have pyramid display of this year’s Tickle-Me Elmo crowding the aisles, chances are you’ve got a lot of competition just to get shoppers in the door on Black Friday.

The point is, although Thanksgiving is a nice reminder to thank the people who make an impact in our lives, it shouldn’t be the only time we recognize loyal patrons for their business or celebrate a winning staff before they run the marathon of holidays. Plus, consider what kind of lasting impression a sincere gesture of gratitude makes when the reason for the gesture is just because.

Before planning a New Year’s Eve gala for your staff or customer appreciation event next March, keep in mind even small gestures can make a big impact when they are sincere.

Help Scout, a web-based help desk that empowers businesses to deliver exceptional customer service, compiled 25 ways to show your appreciation to customers and your team. Some of their ideas ooze with creativity and others are fail-proof but often forgotten. Click here to see what they've come up with. Chances are you will find at least one idea (or a dozen) that you could apply to your business.

Tags:  Customer Appreciation  Customer Service  Ideas  Owning a Business  Thanksgiving 

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