Thank You Goes Far in the Business World Year Round

The holidays are literally just around the corner. It’ may be the only time of year when grumpy people crack a smile and the sight of snow is exciting. We see things that never usually happen, including sending out cards of thanks to our clients and employees. I realize you might be thinking, “well Caroline, this is the perfect time of year to do this. If I did it all the time they wouldn’t appreciate it!” But really this is just a myth! Words of thanks, any time of the year is ALWAYS appreciated!

Yes this is a post about how to say thanks over the holidays. But as I was thinking about how to angle my post, I started to wonder why thanking people requires a special day? Yes it’s very nice to receive a thank you card this time of year, and it should be done don’t get me wrong! But wouldn’t it be nice to be thanked year round? The act of thanking should be a seasonal sport.

With that being said, regardless of when you thank your clients here are ways to get the message across:

1. For the new client or the client you have worked with only a couple of times, sending a letter (either by email or snail mail) expressing your thanks for their business over the past year can go a long way. Include a link to your website and some updated information about your business to let them know you’re still around and willing to help. You might also want to include a discount towards your services for the New Year to express your gratitude and to remind them to visit you again!

2. For the loyal client who has purchased your services or product and continues coming back for more, consider sending a gift as a token of your appreciation. Send a card with a gift certificate to restaurant or retail store. Or make a donation to a charity on their behalf.

3. When thanking employees, take them out to a nice lunch or dinner. Or allow them to have free time off to run errands and spend time with their families

Regardless of how you do it, thanking your clients and employees is an important part of running a business. Of course, these days many entrepreneurs are pinching their pennies so even if you don’t have the budget to purchase gifts, the two simple words “thank you” go a long long way.

Published in Miscellaneous, Public Relations