End of Year Customer Connection

If you’re thinking “HOW is it already November?”, you are not alone!

Before you know it we will all be sipping a warm tasty beverage on January 1 dreaming about the year ahead.

That’s why I am currently reminding all of my clients to make a plan for end of year customer outreach. The holiday seasons are a great time from personalized marketing that feels good and keeps your business top of mind. I’ll share below some light lift things you can do to celebrate your current customers. And bonus, re-engage past customers.

Since my clients lists, budgets, and customer value all differ, I’ve come up with multiple options to choose from.

1. Cost effective but time intensive:

• Reach out with a personalized email from yourself and the team

  • For a warmer touch, send from Outlook or Google Workspace, not your newsletter provider

  • Include the recipients first name

    • Dear Bob

    • Hi Bob

    • How’s it going, Bob

  • Start the message focused on them

    • You’ve been on our minds lately and we wanted to make sure the season doesn’t pass without sharing our warm wishes with you and your loved ones.

  • Include a couple of the key accomplishments you had this year

    • Our staff welcomed … (new employees, employees having babies or adopting pets, a new department, etc)

    • We served over ___ customers

    • We added ___ to our list of services

2. If you have a few hundred dollars in the budget:

• Send seasons greetings cards

  • Make sure to have a neutral theme like Winter Wishes, Thoughtful Thanks, Holiday Hopes

  • Consider including a letter with a heartfelt message like the one mentioned above

  • On the inside of the card address the recipient by name and have the team sign

  • If the budget allows, have cards personalized with your businesses name / logo

  • Hand address if time allows

    • A sticker return label is fine

  • Use neutral stamps

3. If you have a large budget and want to make a lasting impression (highly recommend if you have launched or are launching something new):

• Host a holiday open house

  • Send the invitation with an RSVP date and follow up accordingly

    • Use either Evite or Paperless Post

    • Mail paper invitations

  • Consider full blown catering or sips and sweets (indicate in invitation)

  • Remember that themes always get more people to attend

    • Make it fun (ugly sweater, white elephant, scavenger hunt)

    • Tie it to a charity (bring a can of food, donate a coat)

    • Guest appearances (hire a Grinch, Santa, Dolly Parton)

Don’t forget to include your vendors, collaborators, and networking friends with whichever option you choose!

These actions are memorable because most people are used to receiving canned emails, bills, spam, or requests of some kind. When you reach out with a focus on the human that’s reading the message, it evokes positive emotion. And even more so if you are hosting an event to recognize them.

If any of these options seem like a great idea but you aren’t sure how to execute, lets talk! Book a call below to see how we can work together to achieve this memorable marketing experience for your current and past customers.