Believe it or not, there is more to customer appreciation than just sending over an automated thank you message. There are some nuances to the practice, and you should master them now if you want to get the most out of your customer relationships.
So, let’s take a look at the trick to nailing customer appreciation and how you can use it to strengthen your business.
Being Thankful Vs. Feeling Guilty
So many businesses confuse gratitude with being in debt to their customers.
Having gratitude means you’re thankful for your customer’s business. You recognize that they have helped you and feel grateful for that person and what they have done for you.
Indebtedness is gratitude’s evil twin sister. It is the negative feeling that you owe someone something in return for what they have done for you.
It’s important to understand that the relationship with your customers is mutualistic. Each group receives a net benefit from the interaction. Your customer is looking to pay for a product or service, and you work your tail off to provide it. Neither group is in debt to the other because the exchange is fair.
Gratitude Generates Business, While Indebtedness Destroys It
Research shows that showing gratitude to your customers strengthens your connection with them. This is because people are more likely to shop with or use a company again when they feel appreciated. Part of why they choose to shop again is that “thank you” came with no strings attached. Reaching out to let your customers know you’re thankful for no other reason than just expressing thanks can go a long way.
On the other hand, indebtedness spoils the relationships with your customers. In this case, research shows us that when someone feels they owe something, they will avoid the person or entity they feel indebted to.
So if you make your customers feel like they owe you for the blood, sweat, and tears you poured into your business, they will run. The reverse is also true. If you bombard them with a million emails filled with thank you messages, they’ll run too.
The Perfect Customer Appreciation Balance
How do you show appreciation without your customers feeling like they owe you? You still want to let them know you haven’t dropped the gratitude ball, either.
The best way is to say thanks more often and be sincere. No one wants a “thank you” email from a robot. If you notice a repeat customer using your services, write them a letter or email with a personal message. Don’t fill it with clichés; just be honest and let them know you appreciate that they trust your brand.
That’s the customer appreciation sweet spot. Understand that your customers don’t owe you anything other than payment for the overtime you put in. Be genuinely thankful that there are people who love your products, services, or brand enough to spend their hard-earned money with you. If you can do that, your relationships with your customers, and business, will improve.
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