Business gift-giving draws customer appreciation

The cost of attracting new customers is going up every day from increasing competition. As a result, many savvy business owners are focusing their attention on retaining current customers, reducing the urgency to find new ones. This concept is even more important for small businesses in which a handful of customers may contribute the bulk of total sales.

An effective way to retain customers is through the development of personal relationships.

Usually, this involves getting to know them by name, understanding their needs and providing personalized service. One important, yet often overlooked, component of relationship building is demonstrating to customers that they’re valued.

In the U.S., the end-of year holiday season is a great time to show your customers how much you appreciate their business.

Finding the right gift

The first obstacle of good business gift-giving is knowing what to give. If a top customer is a sports enthusiast, gift ideas are plentiful ––but what if you don’t know a customer’s interests?

And what about small-volume customers who are still important to your business, but may not require an elaborate expression of gratitude? The appropriate solution to both of these problems is a custom, printed gift.

Common gifts available at printing and copying centers range from personalized memo pads and full-color calendars with each customer’s photo, to large-format posters that display an award or significant article.

In addition to giving individual gifts to current customers, don’t forget the opportunity to send holiday greetings to prospective customers.