Looking to increase your rates of customer satisfaction and retention? Ultimately, building a loyal customer base isn’t rocket science. Provide a quality service, ensure decent value, be transparent in your pricing, and of course let your customers know how much you appreciate them.

This sense of gratitude is the “secret sauce” that distinguishes the truly excellent companies. And, as it just so happens, the holiday season is an ideal time to make your appreciation known.

Consider a few tried-and-true suggestions to express customer appreciation throughout this final stretch of the year.

1) Send holiday cards.

As a rule of thumb, we send holiday cards to the people who are closest to us. By sending cards to your recurring clients, you can show them that you really do recognize and appreciate them. Hand-written (or at least hand-signed) cards are especially meaningful.

2) Host a contest.

A holiday contest can be a great way to spread festive spirit while also demonstrating gratitude to your customers. Invite them to share one of your social media posts, or to upload and tag pictures of some work you did for them, offering a discount or even a free service call to the lucky winner.

3) Send out some promos.

Send out a holiday e-blast that’s chock full of promotions. Provide your email subscribers with buy-one-get-one opportunities, discounts on their next service call, savings on your routine maintenance plans. Be as generous as possible. ‘Tis the season, after all!

4) Hold a customer appreciation event.

Assuming you have a front office facility that can hold a few people, invite your customers to swing by some evening for a holiday open house. Have festive cookies, hot chocolate, and other snacks. Be ready to say hi and to express, in person, your appreciation.

5) Support a local charity.

Support a charity in your customers’ honor. Select a local organization that you know most of your customers will approve of. Maybe an organization that helps the poor and the homeless in your town, or one that coordinates toy drives for kids. Note that your donation is in honor of customer appreciation, then let your customers know about it through email and social media.

6) Provide gifts to your customers.

This option may not be within your budget, but you could consider ordering some branded swag (pens, frisbees, or plastic cups) and bestowing them on customers at each service call. Gift-giving is a classic way to show appreciation during the holidays.

The bottom line? Everyone wants to feel appreciated, and your customers are no exception. This holiday season, go the extra mile to express your gratitude. Even a small gesture may prove effective in boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty, which can ultimately help you grow your business over the long term.

About the Author

Amanda E. Clark is the president and editor-in-chief of Grammar Chic, a full-service professional writing company. She is a published ghostwriter and editor, and she's currently under contract with literary agencies in Malibu, California and Dublin. Since founding Grammar Chic in 2008, Clark, along with her team of skilled professional writers, has offered expertise to clients in the creative, business and academic fields. The company accepts a wide range of projects; often engages in content and social media marketing; and drafts resumes, press releases, web content, marketing materials and ghostwritten creative pieces. Contact Clark at www.grammarchic.net.