Day 2 of 12 Days of Holiday Marketing Tips for Your WAHM Business
Today’s tips are going to be about how you could thank your customers during the holidays.
Every year during the holidays, I would check my mailbox anticipating a special mailing. No, it wasn’t a gift from a loved one, or that great new pair of shoes bought on the internet; it was a holiday card from a publisher I advertised with! They sent me the most beautiful holiday card with a calendar in it for the new year. I liked the designs so much, that I hung it by my computer and used it as my year’s main calendar. I think I may have even stayed advertising with them longer than I should have just because of the cards.
Another vendor I used sent me a nice travel coffee cup with their logo on it. I thought it was a very nice gift and thought they went through a lot of trouble and expense to send it to me. This made me really value their services, because if they treated me that special their products must be special too.
So my tip for today is: Get your customers something they will use and have it be something special.
Some Caveats:
1) However, you should be sure to save this type of expense for valuable customers. This type of gift giving could get expensive if not handled properly. Give this type of gifts or cards to repeat or high paying customers. They will continue to buy from you and when other see them using your gift with your logo on it your brand will spread.
2) Make sure your company name or logo is on the card and/or gift.
3) Don't send a consumable product, like food, that is only used once. You want to stay on their minds and you can do this by choosing a gift that is reusable.
4) When you send your holiday cards, send only “happy holiday” or "Seasons Greetings" cards to your customers. You don’t want to make the mistake of sending a Christmas card to someone who celebrates Hanukah or Kwanza. To avoid this mistake choose generic “Happy Holidays” cards that can cover all the different holiday traditions and celebrations.
5) Purchase and send your holiday cards well in advance. I try to choose and send my cards the week after Thanksgiving.
6) Include a personalized note. It will make a big impression and make them feel special.
7) Don’t include coupons or specials. You should save that for another time. Their card or gift should be only a sincere thank you for their business and patronage and not a selling gimmick.
