Asking if you appreciate your customers may seem like a silly question. We all know that if it wasn’t for customers we would not, most likely, still be in business. However, we don’t always remember to tell our customers (especially our long-term and very loyal customers) how much we appreciate them.
These days when everything is done through emails and such, it is easy to forget that a handwritten note may mean a lot more to your customers than an email. Even a handwritten note sent a couple of times a year can increase your customers’ loyalty to your business.
It is easy to believe your customers already know that you appreciate them, but a note or a phone call, even a personal email from the winery owner, tasting room manager, or one of the tasting room staff will increase your customers’ appreciation of your business. More importantly: a note, phone call, etc., can let your customers know that you and your staff appreciate them.
Many of your regular customers already promote your wines and winery to their friends and others they contact. Not only do they talk about your wines, but they also talk about how great the staff is and how helpful and knowledgeable they are, and share the information with their friends. Once your customers like your wines, they start promoting them to others, bringing your winery more consumer recognition and, more importantly, more sales, and people to add to your mailing list.
Let your customers know how much you appreciate them in small ways:
- Send personal notes for birthdays, anniversaries, or special occasions.
- If you see them in the tasting room, take the time to say hello, even if you are not serving them.
More on this next week.
A tip of the glass from me to you!
