“Out of the Box” Client Service
It’s normally easier and more cost effective to keep existing clients than it is to acquire new ones. There are so many “out of the box” things you can do at little to no cost all the way to the very expensive.
If you put extra effort into “out of the box” service for clients it can show them that you appreciate their business and can help to “anchor them to you”.
Below are a few of the things I have done for clients to help my business stand out and really let them know how important they are to us.
For all clients
It is important to really know the client – so I surveyed them on their interests. I asked about their family, children, grandchildren, pets, hobbies, sports they enjoyed and a lot more. I kept the information in a database on the computer so that I could use it to develop events and services focused on the client’s interests.
On a Sunday, the last week of December I took out a display ad in the local paper to wish all of my clients, their family and friends a great holiday season and an even better new year. It also stated that I appreciate their business and look forward to working with them for many years to come. It amazed me that I was one of the very few companies that ever did this. With a wide black border around the ad, it really stood out. I would not only receive positive comments from clients about this but also had others call for an appointment because of it.
Whenever someone came into the office for an appointment a staff member took their coat and hung it up for them. They were then given a printed “menu” to select what they would like and the staff person would get it for them. It could be different flavored coffees, hot chocolate, soda, bottled water, etc. When they were ready to leave the staff would show them the menu again and ask what they could get them to take with them. Clients especially enjoyed the hot drinks to go in the winter or a cold drink to take with them in the summer.
For our best clients, A floral centerpiece was sent to their home in December for their holiday dinner table with a personal note from me and the staff. I would have a limousine sent to take them to a seminar or event I was holding for clients.