Going Above and Beyond Goes a Long Way!
I’ve been fortunate enough to have run businesses for over 20 years and one thing that always gave us a little bump in the repeat clientele category, was thinking about how much our clients meant to us and then taking action to show our appreciation from time to time. Many companies do this around the Holiday season, either sending a greeting card or other small gift. While that certainly makes sense and is the right thing to do, many times it may not seem sincere and may get lost among all of the other gifts and cards received at the same time.
Show your appreciation to your clients when they least expect it and it WILL go a long way to solidifying a repeat client, which is usually the “bread and butter” of most businesses. If you are sincere about how much you value your clients business, take them to lunch and make sure they know it. Get to your clients business and send them referrals when you can. Send a small token gift upon award of your next project and you’ll be surprised how far it goes.
A couple of recent examples of giving back in the domaining world that I have recently experienced are worthy of mention and the inspiration for this post. The first is Adam Dicker and DNForum. Most domainers have heard of Adam and likely have heard of DNForum as well. Since I have joined the forum, at the end of each summer, Adam rolls out a Football Pool to his paid members (clients). In fact, this is the 8th year he holds this pool. Every football weekend, Adam awards 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes and has grand prizes at the end of the year that total more than $1,800. Now that’s a fun way to show your appreciation and give back to those who make you successful, your clients!
Over this past weekend, I received a small but heavy box via special delivery. Upon opening the box, I was delighted to have received a really nice box of chocolates with a hand-written thank you note from Above.com. As you may be aware, Above.com recently sponsored the silent auction associated with TRAFFIC several weeks ago. I received the gift for having participated in that auction. Now I’ve participated in many auctions in the past, but this was the first time I had received something from the auction house as a thank you. Above.com is more than an auction house and they can be sure that I have bookmarked their site and will be a repeat client going forward.
Having been both an appreciative business owner, as well as a repeat client, I can truly say that showing your appreciation by going above and beyond expectations, is a really smart thing to do from time to time! Those that do, tend to rise to the top and stay there! When is the last time you showed your appreciation to those that pay your bills???
Vincent L. Jacques is the owner of Vins Domains, you can also follow him on Twitter.
It’s a nice attention but they should have spend their money advertising the auction, it’s what sellers expect.
Its really nice that companies take the time to treat their clients to things over the holiday period, or like you suggest when they least expect it. It is customer retention at its best. Bravo to DNforum and Above
I’ve been a part of Adam’s football pool since he started it, and I’m still amazed that he shows his appreciation to his forum’s members this way.
I agree that doing something extra for those that support you can go a long way.
Thank you for the comments and the business Vincent.