Tis’ the season of year-end client care planning. From social hours and holiday cards, to gift baskets and wine deliveries, a lot gets packed into an already festive and full time of year. As marketers who have planned, curated, packaged, and dreamed up every kind of client appreciation effort, we bring you six stellar tips for making meaningful client connections.
1. Think outside "the holidays" | Unless the tradition of year-end gift-giving is carved in stone with your firm, consider sharing the love in the spring or fall, when your gift is less likely to be lost in the shuffle and can be truly appreciated.
2. Consider video | Skip the generic company holiday card and send a 20-second appreciation video. Now that we're all equipped with mini movie studios in our back pockets, it's easier than ever to share a heartfelt thanks. Pro tip: practice with your family or team members to get comfortable and then, make movie magic!
3. Go old school | If being on camera is not your thing, look for opportunities throughout the year to send a handwritten note of gratitude, congratulations, or support. Sure, LinkedIn is fast, but the comment or like fades even faster.
4. Get personal | Whether you opt for a gift, note, gathering, or donation, whenever possible, make it personal. What do you know about your client that they'll honestly appreciate? What are their interests, hobbies, and motivations? It isn't possible to hit it out of the park every time, but you'll be amazed how often opportunities appear across your network, when you focus on the person instead of the gift.
5. Make a connection | One of the most meaningful contributions you can make to a client is connecting them with valuable resources and information within your network. Keep your eyes and ears open to the needs of your circle—good things DO come around.
6. Practice makes perfect | Getting into the habit of reaching out, celebrating successes, and looking for opportunities to share will turn your typical holiday rush into a year of thoughtful connections.
If we learned anything in the last few years, it's the importance of connection, relationships, and empathy. Keep that in mind as you prepare for the busy season and make time to balance the client-care with some self-care!
Comments