The pet care industry is a highly competitive field. People want the best for their dogs and look for service providers who go above and beyond their expectations. As a result, it’s more important than ever to make your clients, and their dogs, feel special and appreciated. Going that extra mile and thanking clients can make all the difference. Never under estimate how important it can be to show your clients how much you appreciate their business. Small gestures like a gift and personal note can make a big impact. As the holiday season approaches, keep thanking your clients top of mind, it’s not only important, it’s good customer service!
Small gestures go a long way
Think of the times you’ve received a thank you card or holiday gift from a service provider. How important and valued did it make you feel? I’m guessing you really appreciated the time taken for the thank you. Small gestures like thanking clients can have big impacts when it comes to customer retention and the ever-important referral. A simple gift can leave a warm, positive feeling, and really show how much you care about your clients.
Plan for the holidays
With that in mind, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll thank your customers this holiday season. While the holidays may seem like a far-off, distant event, it’s time to start preparing now. We all know how quickly the season fills up and gets busy. People get ready for vacations, dinner parties, and family gatherings. Depending on the services you provide, you likely see an uptick in sales this time of year too. If you wait until the last minute to order your holiday gifts, you likely won’t be able to get exactly what you want, or you may have to pay extra fees for rush production. Having a plan in place now will ensure you’ll sail through the holiday season with ease, knowing you’ve already taken care of the details.
There are a few things to consider when you’re starting to prepare for the holidays. Think about the clients you want to thank, what they mean to you, what your budget is, and what would make you stand out. Start by making a list of the customers you want to thank with a gift. Make sure you carefully go through client lists so you’re not missing anyone. It’s also a good idea to add a few extras to your final count, just in case you forgot someone, or a new customer comes up between now and the holidays.
Set a budget
Once you have a good idea of numbers, consider your budget. How much are you willing to spend on each customer? Are there customers who you want to reward with an extra special treat? Be realistic about your budget to ensure you can get something your clients will appreciate, while still being mindful of your bottom line. Finally, decide what gift your clients would appreciate.
There are lots of option for gifts, but it’s important to consider something your clients will truly appreciate. A unique and personalized gift can really help you stand out above the competition! Personalized treats are a great gift option. They show clients you want to spoil their dogs as much as they do! Plus, they’re something that will actually get used. No point wasting money on something that goes in a drawer or cabinet, never to be seen again.
Branded treats as gift idea
At Candid K Nines, we offer fun-size treat bags that are about the same cost as a pen. These are a great option that you can brand with your business name and logo. You can also add your client’s name to the packaging for that extra special touch (this requires a bit of extra time, so another great reason to start preparing now!). Every time your client goes to reward their dog, they’ll be reminded of you when they see your logo. A good, high quality treat is something clients are sure to use. And every time they do, your logo will be right there, reminding them of your excellent customer service and attention to detail.
Have a special client you want to go above and beyond for? We also offer full sized bags of treats that can be customized with a photo of your client’s dog. These have a wonderful retention value as clients often hang on to the bags long after the treats are gone because it’s a neat gift with their doggy’s picture on it. Long after they’ve lost the pen or donated the water bottle, the bag of treats with your logo and their dog will still be hanging around.
Worried about dietary restriction? Our treats are all natural, wheat and gluten free and will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. We offer three delicious flavours: Peanut Butter, Simply Pumpkin, and Cheesy Cheddar. For those will food allergies, Simply Pumpkin is the safest choice.
Giving a thank you gift at the end of the year is a simple sign that leaves a warm feeling throughout the year. It will leave a lasting impression that can turn a good client into a regular client. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to say thank you, small gesture makes a big impact. Start planning your holiday gifts now and you won’t have to rush later.
Guest Post by: Nicole of Candid K Nines