Can you believe it is the holiday season again? Wow! “Time flies” is a cliche for a reason--it is true! As a business, it is time to start preparing for the holidays and thinking of ways to thank all the people who help you do what YOU do. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing so that you, as a service business, can get ahead of the holiday madness, show your appreciation, and leave the stress of the holidays behind you!
More customers
One way you can show your clients some holiday love is to throw more customers their way. Highlight their business on your social media, give them a shout-out in your content, and give a shameless plug whenever the opportunity arises. You can also provide a review or testimonial on their Google Business page, other review sites, their Linkedin page, and on their social platforms to steer some new business their way, hopefully!
Reward them
One way to say thank you to your prized, long-standing clients is to give them an upgrade on your services. Offer them an additional service without an additional fee. Giving them credit on an upcoming product or service is a great way to say, ‘thank you.’
Host a holiday event
Throwing a holiday party can be a great way to thank the businesses that make your business what it is. Sure, it can be a little more costly, but it is money well spent as you mingle and build relationships and plan for the future growth of both of your businesses!
Gift cards
This isn’t too original, but it certainly is helpful. It is also a great way to promote other businesses and business partners too, especially small local businesses when possible, like a coffee shop, a gift store, or a highly-rated local restaurant.
DoorDash
A night off from cooking, ‘Woohoo!’ One of the best ways to say thank you is giving the gift of a meal they don’t have to cook or buy! A coupon with DoorDash or Uber Eats will tell them you appreciate them and value their time.
Snacks
You know that everyone loves snacks. Sending a one-time snack box or subscription will be a hit at any office. Consider Nature Box, MyCustomTreats, Love With Food, and Snack Magic.
Steaks
Most everyone loves a good steak! For those special clients, Omaha Steaks would be a fantastic way to show your appreciation. And, they specialize in business-to-business appreciation gifts and have several different options and gift packages.
When someone has everything
Fortunately, many of us have everything we could need, so it can be challenging to find the right gift. For some clients, the perfect gift could be a charitable donation in their name. Giving to a local organization in a business’ name is a great way to say thank you, promote their business, provide them with some recognition and PR, and most of all, help a local group that is in need this holiday season.
Be Selective
One key to gift-giving that is genuine and sincere is avoiding the one-size-fits-all gift. Let’s face it, each client is different, you have a unique relationship with each, and each has different interests and preferences. Use what you know about each client to select something that expresses how much you appreciate and understand them.
The others
The holidays are a great time to show the other people (employees, business organizations that you belong to) that make your business run how much you appreciate them. A thoughtful handwritten card is always nice, especially if it contains a gift card to a local business. Of course, something useful from Grommet is always fun. If you want to reward them with an individual or even a group experience (a shared dinner, a massage, an escape room, or ax-throwing) where you deepen connections and loyalty, that would be amazing too!
Any form of gratitude will be appreciated by your business partners, clients, and employees. And fortunately, you are getting a head start on planning something meaningful that will tell them precisely what you want to say this holiday season, “we value and appreciate you and your business.”