Thank Your Clients
By Gail Doby, ASID
CVO and Co-Founder of Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting
As we stop to take time to reflect upon and give thanks for all the many good things in our lives, think back over the previous eleven months. When was the last time you said “thank you” to a client for no special reason whatsoever? Or was there even a last time?
It’s customary at Thanksgiving or during the winter holidays to send clients a greeting of some sort expressing our good wishes and thanking them for their business. But what about the rest of the year? Keeping in touch with clients periodically is good manners and good business. If you’re not already doing so, you should add it to your outreach and networking activities.
Of course, if a client refers you to a new client, you should personally thank them and present them with a gift. Special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries, including the anniversary of completing their project, also are opportune times to thank and touch base with clients. A card, flowers, or a small gift will suffice to let them know you’re thinking of them. These are neutral exchanges that let you stay in contact without implying that you are actively seeking new business.
A friendly phone call or email now and then is another effective way to maintain client contact. Check in with clients occasionally to see if there have been or will be any changes in their lives that may require modifications to their home or business. Especially leading up to prime redesign or remodeling periods, such as spring or fall, it’s a good idea to thank clients for their past business and remind them that if they are thinking of undertaking new projects they should schedule with you in advance.
Clients are our most important resource. Without them, we cannot practice our profession, much less operate our businesses. This Thanksgiving and throughout the year, don’t just be thankful for your clients. Let them know how much you value them by thanking them with a call, personal note, or gift. What matters is not the size of the gesture but that you make the effort to recognize their support and keep the relationship active.
It is the perfect time of year to think about being thankful. The blog post, Gratitude For Your Gifts, reminds us of the importance of gratitude throughout the year.
