How Should You Show Your Customers Your Appreciation? These Three Ways Are a Good Start

Happy customers are loyal customers. When customers are rewarded for their loyalty, they’re happy. And that keeps them loyal. This cycle is a happy little circle of return visits for your business, so it’s important to do what you can to ensure the circle remains unbroken.

Close to 70% of customers stop doing business with a company because of an “attitude of indifference” on the part of that company. So with most customers, all you need to do is let them know how much you appreciate their business. What’s the most effective way to do that, though? Follow these three tips to give your customers food gifts they won’t forget.

1. Be genuine.

If you didn’t enjoy your customers, you wouldn’t work for your company. The key to letting them know how much you appreciate them is simple: tell them how much you appreciate them — and mean it. If you’re a person of few words, you don’t need to launch into a five-minute monologue about your gratitude. A simple, “How are you?” or “Nice to see you again!” will do the trick.

If you don’t have a lot of day-to-day contact with your customers, drop them an occasional handwritten note to let them know you value them. It doesn’t need to be long. Just the fact that you took a few minutes to write them will make most people feel special.

2. Reward referrals.

Walt Disney once said: “Do what you do so well that people can’t resist telling others about you.” What he should have added is: “ – and give meaningful gifts to encourage them to continue talking about you.” Whether it’s a discount on their next purchase or a small gift to show your appreciation, make sure you’re acknowledging these loyal — and talkative — customers. Think of all the money you save on marketing by having these referrals. It’s good business to take a little of that savings and spend it on something special for these brand evangelists.

3. Give the unexpected.

The first few times someone received a coffee shop gift card, they probably thought it was pretty special. For many people, those days are over. Some people will appreciate the gesture, but these days, all you give with a such a gift is exactly that: a gesture. Give more than a gesture — give your customers something they don’t expect. A meaningful gift will make them appreciate the effort you put in to deliver a gift that exceeds their expectations (just like you appreciate the effort they put into supporting your business).

When it comes to unexpected — and amazing — gifts, there’s no gift like Omaha Steaks. Consider the businesses you frequent. If one of them gave you delectable, grill-ready steaks, would you feel appreciated? How about a combo of steaks and seafood? Or a gift basket of fine wine and cheese? All of these are available from Omaha Steaks, and they’re only the beginning.

We offer numerous options for customer appreciation at a variety of price points and in a variety of combinations. We even have full, easy-to-make meals available. And if you don’t know exactly what a customer prefers, you can give them one of our Custom Certificates, which lets them choose from options that you preselect.